AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5583, 7 October 1879, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[PKK S.S 4 Hero.'] NEW SOUT-i WALES. Sydnky, September 30. The steam motors ami American cara are running most successfully on the tramway, Sydney. The pigeon match, (Gunning to Sydney,) one hundred and sixty mile?, was covered iu four hours fift3'-eight seconds The Kxhibition i« greatly enhanced inconsequence of the daily opening of fresh exhibits. The attendance however, is a failure, except upon the first >hilling day, and then only good—sixteen thousand, including children and free attendance. That it will be a heavy pecuniary failure is quite inevitable, as the average attendance pays liitlc over current expenses. The iipp in the cross squatting cases, Davinpoit and Fisher v. Hungerford, aud vice, versa, have been dismissed. The result is that tho vr?di«*ts stands, in favour of Hungerf rd, £10,000; in favour of Davenport, £500. .An influential mercantile deputation waited ou the Colonial Secretary to protest against the sale of goods at the Exhibition. The New South Wales Cricket Association agree to co-operate witn tho Victorian selection team for the Knglish tour. All is quiet at the coal mines. The steamer Waratah arrived at Newcastle on the 29th, at 10 o'clock, with * further batch of Adelaide miners, numbering about 24, for the Waratah Company. The men were takeu to the Port Waratah direct, and conveyed thence to the company's works at once. This addition, with the Bumb-r of hands engaged in the district, brings the total numlnr now working for the company, to about 110 men. QCEENSLAXD. Brisbane, September 29. Mr. Mcllwraith, Premier, has formally | announced his purpose of visiting England. He proceeds via America, where he investigates the meat - preserving and railway systems. He will investigate the workmg of the Emigration Department at London. The Cooktown Herald state?, from private information, that Mr. StuHey, a member of the Assembly, intends issuing a writ for libel against Mr. Walsh, another member, for making a statement at a public meeting that Stubley was drunk iu the Assembly for 48 hours. The Brisbane Courier was served with a writ for n» gltcting to keep the name of the company ported outside their ofßce, in terms of the Trading Companies' Act. The sum of £o per day, in all i v SOS, is the amount of possible forfeiture. The informer is Charles iumley Hill, member of Parliament, and one of the newly-api ointed Commissioners to the Sydney Exhibition. A strong feeling is manifested on the subject, and a public meeting will be held to discuss the matter. The proprietors of thts Courier and Queenslander are summoned for the 10th October to answer the charge. By the teruis of the Act the bench may, where a fine is imposed, award the whole or part of the line to the informer. The above is the outcome of ill-feeling which has subsisted for some time between the editing proprietor. Mr. Lukin, and a sectiou of the Ministerial supporters in the Assembly, whose levity of demeanour in the House was condemned in articles. Another member, Mr. Morehead, a young merchant of position, and a bauk director, but inveterate humourist, resented the comments by personal attacks upon Mr. Lukin as Exhibition Commissioner Public feeling supports the latter, especially as he has been a successful commissioner, and a preliminary meeting was held this afternoon of gentlemen interested in the expression of satisfaction by the people of Brisbane with Mr. Lukin's performance of his duties as Executive Commissioner of QaeeDslaad. The Hon. J. Douglas presided, and a subcommittee was appointed to wait on Mr. Lukin, and inquire what form he desired the the proposed expression of feeling should take.

It has been notified that members of Parliament, and other persons of position, visiting the Sydney Exhibition may be appointed Commissioners on application to the Government. This excites adverse comment in Sydney, as this granting free privileges to persons best able to afford the expense is regarded as objectionable. The Cooktown coal-prospecting continues encouraging. The seam has widened to 21 inches clean coal, of good quality. The Rev. Tennison Woods has inspected it, and reports favourably. A proclamation was issued this afternoon (29th), nnder the hand of his Excellency the Governor, proroguing Parliament until November 11. This form of prorogation, without the usual ceremony, was adopted owing to the delicate state of the Governor's health. Parliament will probably meet about the end of May next. Cooktown, September 29, Captain Campbell, of the schooner Heath, picked up a boat, containing four Chinamen, ten miles south-east of Cape Tribulation, on Thursday last. The Chinamen Btate that they were sent, on the previous Monday, without food er water, from a beche-de-mer station to find Cooktown. An investigation into the matter is being held. The Chinese junk Wong Bing arrived on Sunday night from New Guinea, with six tons of fish. She reports that the natives are quiet and that the Cooktown fishing vessels are doing weU. The Government has received a proposition from Bishop Bugnion to introduce fifty Mennonite families from South Kussia, with a view to their setting in the central districts of Queensland. The bishop has requested that halt the cost of the passages be paid by the Government, and there is every probability that the offer will be accepted.