AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5493, 25 June 1879, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[per s.a. citt op sydxey.] NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, June 19. Two men have been fined Iβ for clipping a horse on Sunday. The prosecution was under the obsolete Act of Charles 11. The alternative to a fine waa two hours in the public stocks. The fine was paid. A movemaat has juit be«n aet on foot to establish, in connection with the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales, a fund making provision for ministers who may become superannuated by reason of age or infirmity. It is proposed to raise at least £1000 by subscriptions, then to make an annual collection from the congregations of the colony, and to obtain an annual subscription of £5 from each minister of the Churcb. This will give a capital to work upon, and from the interest of this ministers who claim assistance will be relieved. The steamahip City of Melbourne, from Noumea, when coming up Sydney harbour, grounded on the mudbank which has been formed at the meuth of the sewer, Fort Macquarie Point. She was so firmly embedded, that even with the assistance of the steam tug Myaterv, she was unable to get off. It is expected however, that she will be got o6T at next high tide. Tha bootmakere' strike still continues, and the men are talking about starting a manufactory themselves. In reference to the recent commutation of the sentenco of the criminals who were condemned to death, a correspondent writes to the Sydney Morning Herald, to suggest that the injured girl should be marie " the people's child," and receive a " people's dowry." He says : '' Let every factory, every echool make a money-box for our poor Australian girl." An accident that should be a warning to boys in the habit of riding unbidden behind vehicles, occurred in Pyrmont recently. A lad named Michael Murphy, ran after a cart passing down Harris-street, and climbed up on tha till, but slipping down, fell against the wheel of the cart, and caught his leg in the spokes, laceratiug it severely. He was taken to the infirmary, where the injury was dressed. The miners of New South Wales have petitioned the Government to have the duty on nold remitted. The petition from Barringtou was somewhat elaborate, and was ordered to be read by the Clerk of the House. It alleged that in one year 6974 miners had produced gold only to tho value of £456,973, or at the rate of £65 103 6d, from which there had to be deducted working expenses to the amouut of £227,540. Why, then, tho petitioners asked, should their industry be speoially taxed ? Captain Sirnkins reports the total wreck of the cutter Basilisk, off Cronella Beach. No lives were lost. A heavy fall of snow took place at Lithgow on the 15th inst. The mountains were covered, and have remained so ever since, the snow having frozen hard. A woman named Tim, the wife of a Chinaman, fell into the fire during a fit at Mudgee, and when discovered was dead. She had been ailing for some time, and the doctors think it likely she fell down dead. Her husband was away from home, aud the body was discovered by a neighbour. VICTORIA. Melbourne, June 18. S&mples of bituminous coal, found near Colac, have been submitted to the Railway Department. The Minister offers £500 for 500 tons. The Covent Garden Company have determined to push on their building, believing it to be a good paying concern. In the recent appeal case decided against the National Bank, the amount involved is not likely to exceed £14,000. It has been ascertained that two of the Kelly sympathisers recently arrived in Melbourne to purchase arms and ammunition for the gang, as they had run short. They obtained what they required, and left town. They are known to the police, aud warrants have been issued for their arrest. Steps were not taken before, as it waa desired to see where the men went to. A counter petition has been sent in on the part of a number of depositors against the sequestration of the estate of the Provincial and Suburban Bank. Mr. John Wagner wa3 the principal winner at the Australian Coursing meeting. He received £575 for being first and third, and also secured the Cup. Mr. J. Austin received £200 for being second in the Cop. Parliament will probably meet on the 15th July. Very good entries have been received for the Amateur Turf Club meeting, to take place on the Ist July. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adelaide, June IS. A deputation of ironworkers interviewed the Commissioner for Public Works to-day, and asked that the Government should give local contractors priority in tendering for public works to be carried out in the colony, and to adopt other measures in view of the present depression in the iron trade. The Commissioner promised to do all in his power to assist persons resident in the colony. In the Assembly, yesterday, railway bills for the construction of lines from Narracoorto to Tatiaru and Blyth to Gladstone were introduced. A woman named Stratton, who was married at the Burrs on June sth, died on June 15th, it is supposed from fright caused by certain parties who tinkcttled her house on the night of her marriage. At the inquest, a verdict of manslaughter was returned against the tinkettlera, who are at present unknown. The cutter Maria has been missing for a woek. It is feared she is lost. After the meeting last night bread was distributed to twelve men. The members for the city interviewed the Commissioner for Public Works today, and asked him to name an official to whom they could refer the men who wanted work. Tho Commissioner said he would instruct the Engineer-in-Chief to find work for the men at Hallett or elsewhere, and further stated that, a large cutting would be commenced at Nairno shortly, when the Government would be able to provide work for a very large number of men. QUEENSLAND". Brisbane, June 18. In compliance with the request of leading citizens, the Mayor has convened a public meeting at the town hall, for the purpose of eliciting an expression of opinion regarding the policy and administration of. the present Government. The Rev. Father Scortichini, tho victim in the recent stabbing case, is recovering. McGoldrick, his assailant, has been committed for trial. The debate on tho Financial Statement is closed. Mr. Douglas's amendment, tantamount to a vote of want of confidence, was negatived by 23 to 20. The Earl Derby arrived today from London, with 300 immigrants, and reports all well. Messrs. McDermott Brothers, stock and station agents, Rockhampton, state: — " We have received discouraging replies from Singapore as to the prospect of a market there for live cattle aud salt beef. Krt»-'\ beef ie quoted there at from 6d to SF.U p r lb. The advices state that shippers wuuld certainly lose money. The Singapore consumption is only 2500

cattle and 6800 Hheep per annum. .The population ia 100,000, three-fourths being Chinese, who eat ni beef. Australian salt beef does not k-ep there, aud catile rapidly lose condition after landing." Chief Justice Cockle, now in England, hae resigned on pension. Mr. Pring, the present Attorney-General, has no seat in Parliament, having been defeated lately on the acceptance of office.