AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8125, 23 March 1887, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per s.b. Te Anau, at Auckland.) [Per Press Association.] NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, March 17. Quite a little scene occurred at the Assembly last night. The Treasurer, in answer to a question of the previous evening, had detailed the expenditure of the late Government upon picnics. Mr Dobbs took occasion to deny that those picnics had been in the Ministerial account, but on occasions of the Governor’s visit to Clarence, lHe characterised the statement as a deliberate falsehood. Then he accused the Government of packing off H. Farkes replied that the dirtiest public character in this country is owned by the hon member, whereat Mr Dobbs said that he would not soil his hands by dissecting the Premier’s body. Mr Angus Cameron was elected Chairman of Committees by 55 against 22. The City Council has drawn up and forwarded an address to the Queen. The Government has been asked by the Secretary of State to undertake the control and administration of the Norfolk Islands. It is a matter requiring the gravest consideration, the Premier states, before any practical step can be taken.

The Presbyterian Assembly have agreed to the appointment of the Rev J. D. Landels as missionary to the New Hebrides.

There is some probability of the winning crew in the forthcoming Intercolonial eight-oared race going to England. The Hon George Lee, at the Sutter banquet on Tuesday, said the squatters were hanging over an abyss of depression, and that to call in the back rents would ruin many. St Patrick’s Day was celebrated to-day at Botany. Good work is being done daily at Bandwick.