AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 271, 13 December 1876, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

[Per Arawata.] Melbourne, December 8. Negotiations for the purchase of the Hobson's Bay railway by the Government are at an end, owing to the House declining to give the price settled by the Government. This will probably determine the Government in their railway policy, and bring the session to au early close. An immense number of petitions from all parts in favor of grocers' licenses has caused the Assembly considerable embarrassment, and the clause has been reinserted. A second attempt to expunge it, made last night, was defeated by a majority of two. A railway accident occurred on the line being constructed between Ararat and Hamilton, when four men were killed and several wounded. Henry Saytor, the working men's delegate, has met wifch little success from his own class, on account of his strong free trade views, but has been lionised hy the Free Trade League. There has been a murder and suicide afc Emerald Hill. A man named Carrington cut his wife's throat, and then his own. They had only been married six months. The Tarawa replaces the Otago in the New Zealand trade. Business is very brisk in sugars, brandies, rum, geneva, Kerosene, soda, and cornsacks, all of which have risen in price considerably. Probably eighteen of the Melbourne cricketers will play the English team on Boxing Day. Great preparations are being made for the match.