AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5637, 10 December 1879, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[PER S S. 'CITY OF NEW YORK. , ] new south wales. Sydney, December 4. At a special parado of the Sydney Police, at barracks, rewards were announced to members of police who captured Moonlight's yang. Senior Sergeant Carroll, £11 ); Sergeant Cissio, £75, and £50 to each of the troopers. Also, £50 and £25 to Mr. Frederick Williams and Mr. Alexander McDonald, for furniahiug inteHigenci of the outrage to the police. Scott, alias Moonlight, made an affidavit, demanding the postponement of his trial, on the ground that in consequence of th« depredations of the Kelly gang public opinion has been in an extremely excited state, and is now, in cons qr.ence of the knowledge of the rumoured facts of this case being widely diffused, greatly agitated, and ho believed that should he and his fellow-prisoners be trie! at the present sittings of the court they would not be secure of a fair and impartial trial. He also wanted time to communicate with his friends to carry on his defence. His affidavit was supported by one from Mr. R. Thatcher, which stated that he had come to the colony from. Victoria to see Scott, and that since his arrival in Sydney he had found that public opinion with reference to the alleged outrages and atrocities committed by the prisouera was greatly, and, in his opinion, unduly excited. The court refused the request. Moonlight told visitors at Darlinghurst Gaol, that he had had a spiritua'Utic communication from Nesbet. The ketch Lillian, recently capsized near Nobby's, Newcastle, after being raised ou Stockton Slip, was found to be strained throughout the planking and timbers very seriously. Some effect 3 belonging to the man George Gold, who was drowned aboard the Lillian, show that he has a brother in Oatnaru, Nevr Zealand. Articles have be<m signed between the Victorian champion, Frederick William Woodhouse, and the New South Wales champion, William Edwards, for a walking match for the championship of the two colonies for £100 aside. The competitors are to walk for a period of 24 hours. The match takes place at the Exhibition building. VICTORIA. Melboctknk, December 3. The Bishop of Melbourne's fund is £1000 short this year. Owing to being reporte 1 in Logan's group, the chief harbour-master has dis patched the Government eteamer Pharos there, in caie any marine disaster has occurred. The Council have decided to refer the Stamp Duties Bill to a select committee. At the Carleton election, Munro polled 1107, and Curtain 902. William McCul'.och has sold to A. A. Dangar, of the Hunter River, the calf of Oth Duke of Hilhurst, 7i mouths ago, for 500 guineas. Tho -writ has been issued for the Villiers and Heytesbury election. Mr. Dwyer has decided not to stand again. In tho Assembly, on the 2nd instant, the Constitution Bill was considered in committee, and Mr. Berry moved his amendment on the Cth clause, making moneys legally available on the vote 3 of the Assembly alone. Ho regretted that he had to embody a provision of this character, bui; paet experience warranted such a course. Mr. Gillies made a strong speech in opposition, on the ground that the Government had appealed home, and found the clause not to be legal, and also that it was not the practice of the House of Commons. A. well-sustained debate followed. On the 3rd inst. Munro took his seat in the Assembly, and immediately gave notice that he would move, "That the Council's Reform Bill be substituted for the Government measure." On consideration in Committee of the Reform Bill, Mr. Berry accepted tho amendment reducing the tenure of the nominee members in Council from ten years to five years. The omission of the plebiscite was then moved, and defeated by 3S votes to 27. The Tariff Bill was further considered, and alteration made ompowering drawbacks on the exportation ef preserved meat as against duty imported stock ; also, to omit the duty on imported when it is shown an equal quantity is exported. QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, December 3. The secretary of the Queensland Insurance Company denied that there ie any intention of winding up tho company, which was never in a sounder position. The Hon. J. J. Casey, Victoria, has been admitted a member of the Queensland Bar. Efforts are being made to secure for Brisbane Show National Scciety the loan of some pictures from the Aft Gallery, Sydney Exhibition ; also other exhibits, prior to transmission to Melbourne. The Cooktown papers state that over £20 has been raised to present the two young boye, Stack and Shambrook, with a testimonial for the bravery displayed by them in endeavouring to save the life of several children at Finch's Bay, Cooktown. . A store and dwelling, and a new Joint Stock Bank building just finished, were destroyed by fire. The books were n'arly consumed in the safe, the plates of which were very this. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adelaide, December 3. Mr. Bury has obtained a verdict against the Bank of South Australia of £200 for dishonouring a cheque when plaintiff had paid

funds into the bank to meet it, tbo said funds having been credited to another account. Large quantities of wool are reaching Morgan and Goolwa from the Dar'ing statima. The daily Press q'ie3tion the propriety of Chief Justice or other judges mixing ia municipal affairs and swearing in mayors.