LATEST /\USTKALIAN NEWS.

Manawatu Herald, 29 October 1878, Page 2

LATES T /\USTKALIAN NEWS.

By Manawatu Herald Special Wire. (l'EIl ALBION AT THE BLUPF-) BLUFF. M owl ay, G p.m. Tlio Albiou arrived to-day, and brings the following Hems : — Melbourne, 23rd October. It is thought here there is a strong probability that the Marquis of Nor manby will be the new Governor of Victoria. It is considered more than likely that Sir Hercules Kobinson will go to the Cape, and Sir Bartle Frero be moved on to Madras. It is understood that Lord Normanby would have much preferred New South "Wales, and that he was not particularly anxious for appointment to Victoria. • Both Houses have appointed Committees of three to confer on the Reform Bill, but no one is very san* guine of any result being obtained. The members appointed are — For the Council: Sir Charles Sladen, Dr Hern, and Mr E. Anderson. For the Assembly —Mr Berry, Sir Bryan O'Loughlin, and Professor Peterson. All are men holding extreme views on one side or the other. All parties are seemingly agreed that some arrangements should be arrived at by which the question can be settled amongst ourselves, instead of refer* ring it home. The Education question is causing some little stir, owing principally to the exertions of the Roman Catholics to obtain a separate grant for their schools. The Minister for Education, in passing estimates in House Sast week, said that the Catholic clergy were responsible for the whole of the agitation; that the Catholic laity were quite satisfied with the working of the present act. if they were let alone, and not continuously btirred up to action by the clergy. The debate so far has been well sustained.

The Government expect to close the session shortly, and there are already signs of approaching end.

It seems as if the Government intend a policy of isolation with this colony so far as the mail service is concerned, and that tenders will be accepted for a direct syrvice between Melbourne and England. The collections on Hospital Satur. day and Sunday were about up to last year. Jn many of the churches, there was a large increase.

Three of the detendants in the Embracery case of attempting to iufluence juror*, have been sent for triul. The fourth was discharged, there being no evidence against him. A company is being formed with a capifnl of £20,000, for the establishment of coffee taverns in the metropolis and suburbs. J. S. Demiy.secretary of the North Victoria Building Society, has been absent ten days ; his whereabouts not yet discovered; his defalcations so far amount to £1700, and he has apparently added the crime of forg* ing to that of embezzlement. Alexander Stevenson, of the firm of Stevenson & Elliott, coachbuild* cv?, who was much injured at a fire which destroyed his residence, has died from the effects of injuries he received.

The dispute between the contractor for the Eastern Market and the bricklaj'ers over the Saturday half holiday remains unsettled, and the men remain on strike.

Business is better; very little is doing on the races; Cup betting is dull; no alteration in prices.