AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 5, 28 April 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Reuteb's Special to Star.] Melbourne, Tuesday. Measles are spreading very seriously in Melbourne.

The banks have reduced their rates for trade discounts.

There is little enquiry for milling oats.

The Colonial Bank of Australasia has declared a dividend at the rate of six per cent, per annum. Mr. Thompson Moore, member for Mandurang, has accepted the position of Government whip in the Assembly. The prospectus has been issued of a Freezing Company, under the dryair process. Capital, .£IOO,OOO. A sum of d 840,000 has already been subscribed, and the company will commence operations as soon as subscriptions amount to .£50,000.

Diphtheria is very prevalent at Sandhurst.

A deputation of working men waited upon Mr. Service, the Premier, on Saturday, using threatening language and demanding remunerative employment. They declined, they said, to do stonebreaking. Mr. Service replied that everything possible had been done, and it was impossible for the Government to do more.

The ship George Arkle, bound for the Colonies, went ashore near Louiradaya, but managed to get off without assistance.

Mr." Gordon, C.E., has been re-em-ployed by the Government as Chief Engineer of the Water Supply Department. Sydney, April 27. . In the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Fitzpatrick, the leader of the Opposition, has given notice of motion tantamount to a vote of want of confidence in the Government, in consequence of , the latter's refusal to legislate on the question of mining on private property. At a meeting of the Mutual Provident Society, the- proposal to amend the bye-law relating fco proxies was rejected by a large majority. A ballot among the miners' lodges has resulted adversely to the masters'. • recent offer, and a strike is considered probable in the Newcastle district.