AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6876, 14 March 1883, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Pbb PBBBB ASSOOIATIOH.'j

(Per s.B. Wakatipu, via Wellington.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, Maroh?.

The complete success whioh attended the raiting of the Austral has been the cause of much congratulation. So soon as it wat ascertained that the vessel was once afloat all cause for further fear was at an end. The veßsel was gradually towed further into Neutral Bay and beached. When the cofferdam and top hamper were being removed great caution had to be exercised, as when the vessel got into shallower water there was danger of her heeling over. It is now expected that towards the close of this week tho Austral will be fairly afloat, and she will then be towed into Eitzroy dook for repairs. The main deck is now about fifteen feet above water.

Last night one of the most disorderly pubiio meetings evor held in this oity took plaoe in the Protestant Hall, to protest against the nuisance of the brothers Bedmond. The Mayor ocoupied the chair. Sir Henry Parkos moved the first resolution, pro* testing against the mission, and other resolutions were passed discountenancing the collection of money on behalf of the League, and conveying sympathy to the Imperial Government in its recent difficulties conneoted with the Land League. An organised band of malcontents created much confusion, and at one time there were twenty or thirty men wildly hitting at each other, ansl a number of forms and chairs were broken to splinters. Word was passed round to attaok Sir H. Parkes as he lef t the hall, and a number of men filled their pockets with stones for this Eurpose. Great efforts were made to upset is cab, but a ring was formed to keep the roughs baok. The Messrs Bedmond are at Orange, but are meeting with no enthusiasm except from a fow extreme Irishmen, The BevL. A. Gordon has been eleoted Moderator of the Presbyterian Church. Ernest Giles, the explorer, will soon be in Sydney. He desins to organise a grand final expedition to traverse the remaining unexplored portions of the Australian Continent and endeavour to discover some more reliable traoes of Leiohhardt.

Mr A. G. laylor, who reoently resigned his seat and has been re-eleoted for Mudgee, has made a serious charge against the members of the Assembly as a whole. Ho was accused of being drunk while in Parliament, and he retaliated by stating at one of his eleotion meetings that he had seen at least thirty members of Parliament in the same state. It is believed that when Taylor again takes his seat the matter will be brought forward.

QUEENSLAND. There has been a heavy flood at Thargomindab, the highest ever known. The river was several miles wide, and there was considerable destruction of property. Men were rescued by boats off the trees. Government has instructed the AgentGeneral to call for tenders for constructing two gunboats, authorised by Parliament. Ihe ooflt is expected to be not less than £24,000 eaoh. VIOTOBIA. Mr Young, Minister of Works, in the debate en the amendment, spoke with much bitterness of Messrs Service. Kerford, and Gillies, and said that Mr Service, who led his party to defeat, was now leading it to degradation by oealesoing with Mr Berry. Considerable feeling was displayed at the Univeriity in the election of Chancellor. Dr Brownlees. viee-Ohanoellor, was proposed for the offloe, but the question was postponed. It is stated that an article which appeared in the Argut, unfavourable to Dr SrownW claims, will form the subject of a libel action. A volunteer encampment at Easter is to be held at Queonsoliff, Mr W. P. lirebraoe has been appointed to the vacant position of prothonotary. The libel action, De Mestre v. the Agt, resuited for defendants, the jury holding that the comment was fair criticism on public aots. She successor to the late Bishop O'Connor, of Ballarat, is to be obosen next week.