AUSTRALIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 120, 21 May 1874, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

Met.bo_bnb. M<»y 14. Considerable departmental change? have occurred in the Lands office. Mr Hodgekinfon, assistant Commissioner has rehired on a p. nsion, Mr Archer, Registrar-General, is sppoioted Secretary for Lands at a salary of £1200 a year, and other minor changes are made. Mr SargooJ, warehouseman, is returned for the Central Province by a large majority over Mr A. K. Smith. The St. Kilda efection takes place to-morrow, and is exciting attention There are three canoidatep, Messrs Webb and William**, barristers, and Mr Dixon protectionist. Mr Webb will most likely be Attorney-General. It is unlikely that there will be any opposition to Mr M'Mi-hon as Speaker, it is thought unprobable that any amendment will be move! to tlie address. Dr Bromby retires from the Head Mastership of the Church of England Grammar School at the end of the year. Ihe Calit'-rniiv! mail which left Sydney in March was delivered in London in 51 days. The coursiDg matches commence to-day, Warback acts bb judge. The ship John Kerr bound for Melbourne, has been spoken dismasted. Arrangements have been made to observe the transit of Venus in several parts of the colony. Mr Richard Gibbs, Examiner of Titles, is appointed Registrar- General vice Mr Archer, Mr Hayner has the control of the statistical branch. The Fire Brigade demonstration on the 24th will be made a grand affair. About 700 are to take part. A full Court has decided 5n favor of Mr Brown against the squatters as to habitable dwelling under the Land Act. It is believed tnat Messrs Sargood and Wallace will move and second the address io Council, and Messrs Munro and Cameron in the Assembly. A New Zealand loan is in the msrket at £91. Bank of New Zealand shares are wanted at £17 ss. Stdnet, May 14. The Pe<<rl and Alacrity have both arrived. Mr Farnell isnppointed temporarily Minister of Mines. Mrs Pyton has been struck dead by lightmug at Darhnghurst. The Assembly is mostly engaged on elector*! bills. Mr Elder, of Glasgow, sent to the Postmaster-General a model of a Californian steamer now building to have a speed of 14 knots. The abolition of denominational schools has been carried in the Brisbane Assembly by a large majority. Adelaide. The estimates of expenditure for the year are £816,000, including £310,000 for public works, £137,000 for railways, £43,000 for education, and £95,000 for post and telegraph. Tasmania. Parliament meets on July 21. Sir Valentine B^lezing, the Acting Chief Justice, retires on the return of Sir Francis Smith.