AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5758, 1 May 1880, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[PER'HERO.'] NEW! SOUTH WALES. Sydney, April 24.. The Minister of Mines has received a communication from the Minister for the Interior, Belgium, expressing flhe thanks of the Belgian Government for a collection of minerals presented to it by the New South Wales Government. The Locomotive Superintendent of the New South Wales Railway Department, Mr. Burnett, has gone to -Victoria to mike inquiries in reference to the Woods brake, and other matters respecting railway working in Victoria. Mr. James H. Hubbard, of Newcastle, is spoken of as a probable candidate for Northumberland. _A ballot haa been taken amongst the miners of the Associated Collieries, Newctstle, on the question of acccpting or refusing the terms offered by the Associated Masters,- with the result that a majority against accepting the terms was recorded at each of the five Associated Collieries— namely : Ferndale, 51 against; Wallsend, 13S; Co operative, 81 ; Hamilton, 32; Minini, 9; total, 311 against. The decision thus arrived at practically means that the men have resolved to strike for more favourable terms than those offered; but, as miners of the Non-associated Collieries were expressly prohibited from voting, the above result cannot be taken as fully indicatipg the feeling of the entire district. There are strong grounds for believing it is intended that the non-associated interest should work on, notwithstanding the decision arrived at by the associated miners. There are 1500 associated miners and 10D0 nonassociated in the district. Reports of the discovery of deposits of antimony, extending over a locality 10 miles long by 1 mile wide, in the Macleay district, having reachel the Government, the Department of Mines considered the subject of such deep importance that they dispatched Mr. Lamont Young, one of the Government geologists, to report as fully as possible npon it. As soon as Mr. Young has concluded his investigations in connection with these deposits, he will proceed' to Nambuccra, to examine some lodes of silver and gold therS, which rumour says are of almost fabulous richness. QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, April 23. The Government are calling for tenders' for the construction of the seventh section of the Western railway, from Roma to near Mitchell, a distance of 50 miles ; also third section of the Townsville to Charters Towers line", a distance of 15 miles, and the fifth section of the Central line, a distance of 30 miles. 'J enders for the first close on June 18, and the two latter on June 11. The Government search party for the wreck reported at Temple Bay left on Monday, well armed and provisioned for six weeks. They propose to prospect the conglomerate country for deep sinking immediately, with fair prospects of success. VICTORIA. Melbourne, April 23. At a meeting of the Irish Relief Fund Committee, at the Town Hall yesterday, a letter was read from the Lord Mayor of Dublin, dated March 6, stating that, up to the time of writing, the Mansion House Committee hatl received from Australia £62,735, for which they returned Rrateful thanks. The Mayor of Melbourne intends offering a premium of .£2OO for the bast essay on the underground system of drainage for Melbour, to be determined upon by three engineers or other competent persons. It is understood that the Government will be uuable to stop the expenditure of the Berry votes as much as they expected, and the deficiency at the end of the year is now estimated at over £40,000.

in order that the Exhibition Ceremonial Committee may be enabled to ascertain the result of the competition for the inaugural cantata speedily, it has been decided to effect an alteration in the conditions. The foil score for band and chorus must be sent in, accompanied by a piano or organ score, not later than Saturday, June 19, and the adjudication -will be made as soon after as possible. The performance of the cantata will take place on the Ist October: A young girl, who was a diphtheric patient in the Hamilton hospital, died this morning from exhaustion, and three patients are in a critical condition, bat others are improving. At Stawell a child is suffering from diphtheria. The origin of measles in the colony is stated to be due to the Kent, which arrived in January last, and lauded two cases at the quarantine ground, but was not herself quarantined. A large deputation of nnemployed waited 011 tha Premier to-day, when language was used o£ a threatening character. Soma of the deputation stated that they must have suitable aud remunerative work. They declined to take stone-breaking, arguing that they could get that by being sent to gaol, without asking Government for it. It was ultimately agreed to make a trial at the stone at Edom, on condition that they should have a promise of any new woii which might be offering. It is reported that diphtheria i 3 fatally prevalent at Belfast. Two mora cases of measles are reported at Richmond, and a child died at tiorrento on the 14th from measles. No iresh cases of diphtheria have been reported at Hamilton since Friday last, leading to the belief that the disease is being stamped out.

The Premier promised a deputation of Melbourne booksellers to day that the postage on newspapers to the neighbouring colonies should be reduced to the Victorian inland rate, which is one halfpenny; but in reference to a request that he would deal similarly with periodicals, Mr. Service said that in consequence of the unsatisfactory state of the revenue, he would have to take time to consider the application. A memorial has been erected by public subscription at Mansfield, as a mark of respect to the memory of Police-sergeant Kennedy and constables Lanigan and Scanlon, who were murdered by the Kelly gang in the Wombat Ranges, on the 26th October, 1878. Captain Standish, in unveiling the statue this morning, regretted that the oatlan s were still at Targe, but hoped that the time was not far distant when their capture would enable justice to be satisfied. He believed that this public testimony to the worth of the deceased men would have a beneficial effect on the whole police force. At a meeting of the Irish Relief Fund Committee at the Town Hall, a letter was read from the Lird Mayor of Dublin, dated March 6, stating that up to the time of writing the Mansion House Committee had received from Australia £62,735, for which they returned grateful thanks. The Mayor of Melbourne intends offering a premium of £200 for the best essay on the underground system of drainage for Melbourne, to be determined upon by three engineers or other competent persons. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adelaide,- April 23. The Congregational Union has appointed a committee to consider the question of public morality. The Agent-General has forwarded a letter, relative to the recommendation of the committee of the House of Commons respecting the import duties on Australian wines, to the Lords of the Treasury. Dakin, the Victorian trainer, has taken entire charge of the Hon. Thomas Elder's racing establishment. The telegraph lint to the border town is just opened, the completion forming our section of the direct line to Melbourne without the intermission of intermediate stations. Nothing has lately been heard about the line from Melbourne Co the border town. A despatch from the Secretary of State Bays that letters patent to the University, wili be delayed until the Act passed last session, excluding degrees of science to women, has been repealed. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Perth, April 23. Governor Robinson is very anxious that the colony should be represented at the Melbourne Exhibition, and it is likely that a fair display of exhibits will be sent from Western Australia. . TASMANIA. Launceston, April 23. At the rifle match to-day, the Victorians beat the Northern Rifles by 131 points.