LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4398, 17 December 1875, Page 5

LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[PERS.S. 'CYPHRENES,'AT WELLINGTON.] Melbourne, December 8. The Budget debate continues unfinished, but as most of the principal speakers have addressed themselves to the subject, but very little of interest remains. There is a section of the Opposition determined to prevent the progress of business until a dissolution is obtained. The case of Mr. Moran, member for Gipps Land, has been brought before the Assembly. The Government were asked to deal with the case, but the Premier declined to be a judge of the character of hon. members, and refused to take any action. Mr. Moran has commenced a libel action against the Age newspaper for a very strong article which appeared in that journal. The notorious convict Weechurch or Taylor (his real name) has suffered the extreme penalty of the law. He was executed on Monday last, and died asserting his innocence of the charge of attempt to murder. Scarlet fever still continues, and the number of deaths from this cause has increased. The war steamers Pearl and Dido are here awaiting the arrivial of Commodore Hoskins by the m-iL He is expected at the end of the week. Sydney, December 7. The Chamber of Commerce has appointed a deputation to urge on the Government the necessity of a second cable to Europe. A New Zealand digger named Murphy got drunk and was robbed of a receipt for 500 scrip in the United Band of Hope mine, Reeftown, and 70 sovereigns. Large seizures of jewellery have been made by the Customs for non-payment of duty. Mr. De Courcy Ireland yesterday served Captain Chapman, of H.M.S. Dido, with a j writ claiming £10,000 damages arising out proceedings in Fiji. I The duties on tobacco have been increased. That on manufactured is 2s Gd, and on leaf, Is 6d. Other alterations are anticipated. Brisbane, December 7. A petition has been presented to the Governor for presentation to the Queen, complaining of Sir Maurice O'Connell's conduct respecting the O'Connell demonstration. Commercial business is very dull, and the markets are inactive. Wheat, heavy ; Tasmania, 3s sd. A Mauritius telegram shews a fall in sugar of 15 to 25 per cent. There is little demand for Australian. Tasmania, December 7. The cable is broken for the first time since it was laid down in 1569. The barque Tien Tain ha<i foundered on the east coast of Tasmania. Crew saved. She was bound from Newc^stle. Great dissatisfaction is felt at the present means of communication with Europe since the cable has been interrupted. Messages are transmitted by steamer anyhow, and without the slightest regard to dates.