SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 614, 25 September 1858, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

The Hobart Town papers acknowledge Adelaide journals to the 28th ult., and news by electric telegraph to the 2nd instant.

On the 28th August the S.Australian Parliament was opened by the Governor, Sir R. Me Donnell, with an address which commences by congratulating both houses on the reception by her Majesty of an address resolved upon In & previous session on the Indian question— otl having received two guns captured in the Crimea and presented to the colony—on the probable annexation of the territory lying between the western boundary of that colony and the eastern boundary of West Australia—and on the commercial and financial prosperity of the country. Railway extension, by funds supplied one-third from the general revenues, and two-thirds by the issue of Government securities; amendments in various laws; immigration on a new principle; distillation from the juice of the grape grown within the colony; the coast defences; and the postal arrangements with England are the topics treated of in the body of the address.

A committee was appointed to prepare the reply, and we learn that upon the motion for its adoption on the Ist September, there was a lengthened debate in which ministers were rather roughly handled; but the debate being adjourned till the 2nd, the motion was carried without amendment.

Amongst the notices of motion given in the House of Assembly on the day of its opening waa the following by Mr. J. B. Hughes:—

"That, in the opinion of this House, none of its members, except those -who for the time being are members of the administration, should hold any place of profit or emolument in the public service. That an address be presented to his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, transmitting a copy of the foregoing resolution, and requesting him.to issue regulations providing that whenever any person holding office under Government—the salary of which office is provided for on the Estimates or under the provisions of any act, wliether by fees or otherwise—shall be elected to represent any electoral district in this House, he shall by such election be held to have resigned his office, and. some other person shall be appointed in his stead; and also providing that whenever contracts are entered into by the Government, a notification of the fact that such contracts have been entered into, and the names of the contracting parties, shall be published in the ' Government Gazette.'

This resolution was subsequently affirmed. Exploring parties into the far north of the colony were continuing their labours, and some very satisfactory letters and journals had.been received from the travellers. .

The Kegistrar-Genekal's Ketiremext.— A public meeting was held at White's Rooms on the 28th, in pursuance of a requisition addressed to the Mayor, and signed by many of the leading citizens, with the object of considering the circumstances which had led to the retirement of Mr. Torrens from Parliamentary life, as stated in the address-to his constituency, which had recently been published. The importance attached to the meeting -will be gathered from the- circumstance of upwards of 300 citizens being present. The Mayor of Adelaide presided, Mr. Torrens, who was well received and warmly cheered throughout, made a lengthened statement to the meeting, at the conclusion of which the following resolution was carried unanimously:—

"That this meeting, whilst acknowledging the ability, zeal, and experience of Mr. Torrens, and whilst regretting that any political or constitutional necessity should exclude him from Parliament, is of opinion that no Government officer, other than responsible ministers, ought to be a member of either House of Parliament."

A vote of thanks to Mr. Torrens for his labours in the Assembly, in connection with the Real Property Bill, was carried by acclamation, and the meeting terminated.