AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6819, 25 September 1883, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[per s.s. wakatifu, at weixisgton.] ~,,.. VICTORIA. Melbourne, September 19. The Argns correspondent in the New Hebrides writes per the Duplex, dated the 3rd instant, from the island oi Tanna. Be states the feeling of the natives is" very hostile to the French. The chiefs say they will resist by force any attempt at annexation on the part of that nation. They are not' averse, however, to annexation by Great Britain.

The execution of the convict Burns is fixed to take place at Ararat gaol on the 25th inst. He received the announcement of hie execution with the utmost nonchalance.

The police kept a watch yesterday for the arrival of the Saghalien from Sydney as it was reported the informers Kavanagh and Hanlon ■'we're aboard. The Government had received, no official notification that the inbad left Sydney, nevertheless Inspector Mackay boarded the Saghalian 'shortly..before.her arrival at Williamstown, and soon discovered Hanlnn and Kavanagh aboard the, vessel, -travelling third class, Hanlon assuming the name of James Boyle and Kavanagh that of John Reilly. The men seemed very desirous of settling in Australia.' The informers premised to stay aboard during the vessel's ttay in harbour.

Mr. Bosisto, M.L.A., President of the ■Victorian Commissionat the Calcutta Exhibition, has received letters of a highly interesting' character from India, dated August 21. The opening ceremony will' ba performed early in, December by the Viceroy, supported by the Governors of Bengal,Madras, Bombay, * and the Northwest Provinces, Princes, and Rajahs throughout the whole Empire. The Dufco of Connaught will also be present at the ceremony. A very large inQux of visitors is expected.

A very large and most successful public meeting was held in the Melbourne Town Hall on Monday night to advocate the establishment of a working men's club. Over 2000. persons were present. The Bishop of Melbourne moved the first resolution, viz, "That it is desirable to establish a working men's club in Melbourne." He spoke of such a club as a means of developing the better faculties of working men, and as an institution which he would like to seo placed in competition with the public-housei The motion was seconded by Mr. Douglas, Presinent of tho Trades Union, and supported by Mr. Justice-Higgiobotham. The proceedings terminated satisfactorily, a subscription list or £3000 being opened.- The Mayor presided. .

The proposal to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Macartney's ordination by obtaining a marble bust of that gentleman has been enthusiastically taken up. At a meeting for , tbat purpose Sir William Stawell occupied the cliair, and a series of resolutions was passed in favour of the proposal.

John Mills, captain of the Ballarat Imperial Football Club, was so badly injured in a game that he has since died.

Rabbits are increasing at an alarming extent on the Wimmera.

One of the workmen injured by the fall of a portion of Messrs. Rocke's premises in Collins-street has died.

In the, Divorce Court, a divorce was granted to the husband in the case of Hickliug v. nickling. The respondent" has £900 a-year in her own right.

It is believed that the Irish informers now aboard the Saghalien will land at Mauritius.

The Rev. Mr. McEichran asserts that an outrage has been committed on the Christian community, and that the Rev. C. Strong's public teachings were precisely on the lines of Mr. Justice Higi>inbotham's lecture. Mr. Strong had brought a man to his church to say plainly what he had not tho coutage or manliness to say himself.

NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, September 19. A rather destructive fire broke out yesterday at the warehouse of Messrs. Nicol, Weathcrill, and Co., Pitt-street. The fire broko out at the back of the building, and burnt an hour before being A great amount of stoek was destroyed. The stock was valued at £78C0, and was insured for £3000 in the Commercial Union, for £2000 in the Scottish Imperial, and £1000 in another office. The fire attracted a vast crowd. . The divorce suit of Horwitz v. Horwitz, which resulted yesterday in a verdict for the petitioner on all the issues, and £5000 damages being given against the co - respondent Soloman, was supported by documentary evidence of an extraordinary kind. The counter charges of adultery and cruelty brought against Horwitz, were found not to be proved. Tho Italian war vessel, Baracciola has arrived to refit. She was last at Tahiti and SllVrt. The wild flower show at Manley proved a splendid success. Very fine weather has been experienced, but rain is wanted. The first case of flogging, under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, was'inflicted on Monday, for a gross offence of indecency. Mrs. Hampson, the lady' Evangelist, is drawing crowds to her mission services. I The Bishop of Brisbane has received a formal intimation of Canon Barry's acceptance of the Bishopric of Sydney. Mr. Whitton, brother of the Engineer-in-Ghief of Railways, committed suicide by blowing his brains out, at his brother's house. He had been in bad health and depressed spirits.

QUEENSLAND.;, ' ... .. \ Brisbane, September 10. | The Hon. T. : T ? . GregorysM,L.O,i .has;: 1 accepted the. office of -Postmaster - -General m, place of Mr. Mbreliejxd,. r.eaighad. - Mr, E. Wallace has purchased the racer... horse Le Grand for two thousand.guineas, : Major French, QijtLG., Royal ■Artillery.,, has been appointed cdmmaudant of the, Queensland volunteer forces. < Thoie lis little dpubt that the. Opposition, will have a. good majority in the next. ;Parlianient;; "■•■ - "■■■'■■ : " ; The barque.Ceres was wrecked on. August 5 on Brampton ; Reef. Two boats left, the yesaeL Qnb was'picked up at.s|a\with.:the. crew jii'an utterlydestitute condition. The captain's boat has.not.since beeniheard.of:. ~ ,"' The total amount .of risks on,the; Rpck;Hampton meat works.was £22,000.: ..;.;