VICTORIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 244, 24 August 1864, Page 5

VICTORIA.

(FROM OUII OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Tuesday, Augnst 12. Tlie anti-transportation question still continues to furnish tho principal topic for public conversation here. Until the Parliamentary elections which do not take place for another month, aro actually proceeded with, the public will probably be taken up with considering how best to preservo our very imperfect purity. Tho Anti-transportation League after an animated debate, declined to father Mr. Edward Wilson's scheme for shipping home expirees to England, but they passed a resolution, declaring that the time bad arrived for the Government to take instant and vigorous aclion to stop the evils of transportation. On Monday last, a deputation from tho Leaguo waited upon the Chief t-ccretary with this resolution. They are informed by Mr. M'Culloch, that no answer had as yet been received to tho last remonstrance sent home, nnd the Goiernment did not propose to take any further steps until it came to hand. The reply was expected by the ensuing mail, and should it be unfiivouable, the Government, Mr. M'Culloch declared, was prepared to take a decided cour.-e of action, which he believed, tho sister colonies would join in. The policy to be adopted, he said, had been decided upon, but at the present juncture, until the answer of the English Government was received, and until ho made a statement of the ministerial policy, he declined to say what. it. was. Mr. M'Culloch's reply has been received by tho _-/</<■ very favourably, but Ihe Jlmi/if and the It-i/its have united in denouncing it as vacilating ami hesitating, and unworthy of the leaderofa Victorian Cabinet. Mr. Wilson, is making arrangements for carrying out his scheme, the general opinion is, that he is going a littlo too far, that it would bo better to wait and see what the new parliament will do.

I'lie sentences of death recorded agaiust three prisoners at tlio last criminal assizes, were carried into ell'ect at tho Melbourne gaol, on Wednesday, .August tlio 3rd. The uufortunate men to bo executed were, Christopher Harris, road contractor, convicted of the wilful- murder of his partner, and Samuel "Woods and William Carver, convicted of robbery in company and wounding, attempting; to rob the Collingwood Bank. Great efforts were made to savo Harrison; several medical gentlemen, including Professor Halford, of the .Loral University, declared the mail to bo insane, and the Government was induced to. appoint a commission to inquire into his frame of mind, 'iho result was, that Harrison was declared to be perfectly rational, though very exciteablc on the subject of the wrongs he alleged ho had received at the hands of his partner. However, the agitation was not discontinued. A petition signed bv three thousand citizens was presented to the Executive, and a memorial from the members of the legal and medical professions, both praying for mercy, were forwarded to his Excellency the Governor. Assured, as it was, however, that the man was sane, the Government did not- give way, but allowed (lie sentence to be carried out. lis action in this respect, appears to meet with the approval of the bulk of the community, for it. is felt it would never do, in a country like this, to wink at so great an outrage. More sympathy is felt for Marsh, shot down like a dog, unarmed and unprepared, and for his widow and liclplcss family, than for Harrison, even if it. is granted that his passions were uncontrollable. Harrison met his death calmly, and strange to say, addressed the people present at his execution on the subject- of the want of a classification of the prisoners in the gaol. Carver paid much attention to the advice oi' the clergyman by whom he was attended, and professed to (lie penitent. In Woods, however, there was 110 change. While being pinioned, he bawled out tlie song " Cheerßoys, Cheer," with altorations to drag in his own name; he cursed his ." pais" who had left him to be captured in the Bank, and he declared his disbelief in a future existence. Executions in Melbourne arc conducted quietly. Harrison's remains caused almost as much stir its his own fate did. Ho had expressed a wish that his body should bo sent to Professor Halford, and the Professor by some unexplained means did manage to obtain the head. He was dissecting this and expounding its appearance to the students of Ibe University, when tlio Government Analyst and the Sherll'burst into the room in all haste to recover the 'missing caput. The Government oliicers claimed tlio head as their property, but the Professor would 1 otforego his vantage point, of possession. There was very near heing a scratnblo for tho brains, but fortunately the not very creditable scene was brought, to a conclusion without it's going so far. Tho Professor retained the head and declared that tho brain presented 110 trace of insanity, thus destroying the theory he had originated himself. Dr. Macadam is now preparing a report 011 tho sub'ect, having since obtained possession of the disputed relic.

A])i'ojjos of these executions a curious circumstance has to be mentioned. Wood's expressed u desire in gaol that liis life should ho published. Tho Art/us reporter heard of this, and communicated -with his managers, and was instructed to obtain particulars of ttic career of the celebrated criminal murderer, to publish an account which should show tho character of the felon class which abounds hero, and tho evils of the transportation system. Wood's stipulated for a sum of £20 to be paid to sundry persons to whom he was indebted. The Sheriff sanctioned the arrangement and paid away the money himself. Tho manuscript was to be submitted to the Government officers for approval or correction. This was done, but as they did not return it, the Aryus put in an application, and was met by a reply that tlio history was Government property, and could not be surrendered j upon a "demand." So stands the matter at present, and probably it will end in an action in tho courts of law. A singular and tragical occurrence has taken place at Gardiner, a village somo eight miles from Melbourne. Cortain persons unknown established there a subterranean illicit still. Two men named Peter Le Pago and Thomas Jetreries were employed to work it. Last week these men were missiug from their houses, and on enquiry being made, they were found dead at the bottom of the secret shaft, A subsequent investigation before tho city Coroner disclosed that they had been poisoned by alehulic vapours from the still probably when they had fallen asleep. Plans have been adopted after a public competition for the erection of a Government House on tho south side of Princess Bridge. Tho building is to bo of stuccoed brick, and tho cost is not to exceed £25,000. Tho Government is being severely criticised for its closeness in this instance. It is stated that tho accommodation is not half sufficient, and tho building itself it is declared will by ne means i-ellect credit upon the colony. The Governor, Sir Charles Dav-

ling, however, ins expressed entire satisfaclirm -with his projected new home, ~ ■\" u ® er o«sly attended public meeting-was held in tho Mechanics' Institute, on Tuesday, August 2nd tor the purpose of urging the Government to adopt measures to prevent another flooding of the Yarra. As the wort must be done, and as it is too large for the municipal authorities to undertake, there is no doubt but that the Government will have to cairr it '=!!'• rep ° rt Government commission of enquiry has not yet been presented, but in the meantime newspaper correspondents are placing dozens of schemes before the public for tho carrying off the storm waters which have proved so destructive to life and property. The favourite plan in the cutting ot a-canal between the Yam, above Melbourne, and Hobson s Bay. This, it is declared, would allow th'e■ . lu< ; h cannot force its way along tho tortuous channel of the river to escape readily enough, and would also provide tho additional wharfage accommodation the port is in need of. Mr. John Eoborts, the champion billiard player of } '; ls followed the example of " star" actors ana All England" crickcters, and paid Australia a visit He has coino ostensibly for tho benofit of his health, but ho is not loosing the opportunity of adding to lus storo. Sineo he has been in Mclbourno ho has played a dozen matches, and of course won thein all. Ihe first was with Mr. S. Lamb, the champion of Victoria, whom lin allowed 350 points in the 1000 and at the conclusion of the game, which lasted nearly lour honrs, tho score stood—lioberts, 1000 ; Lamb, ° play was witnessed by nearly 300 peoplo who had given one guinea each admission lee At the subsequent matches, tho admission was reduced to ten shillings. Air. Roberts is now about goin<* the round of tho country towns. His play is tomethin" marvellous, it must bo seen to be credited. °