AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 387, 12 July 1879, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(PER CLAUD HAMILTON AT HOKITIKA.) Melbourne, July 4. Mr. Berry made his first public utterance on Tuesday night at a banquet given to him by the Reform League, which was attended by 400 persons. Mr. Berry, in replying to the toast of " Our Guest," spoke of the past, but gave no indication of the future. He interpreted the Secretary of State's despatches as a victory for the Liberal party, which he said had the support of all parties in England. He called upon the Liberal party to stand together and not to allow any local jealousies to part them until the battle had been fought out. The watchword, he said, must be substantial constitutional reform. The Chairman, in proposing Sir Bryan O'Loghlen's health, commended him for the numerous sacrifices he had made in the interests of the people. The Reform League has been sitting in conference and arranging a political platform. They have agreed to the " planks" of constitutional reform, progressive land tax, and also securing the power of the purse to the Assembly. The farmers in all parts of the colony are forming unions for the protection of their own interests. They have their political which includes protection to everything relating to agriculture and assisted immigration. They have also resolved not to support any candidates at elections who are not thoroughly identified with farming interests. The East Melbourne election was held on Tuesday, and resulted in the re-election of Mr. Zox by a majority of 1237 over Mr. Devie, whose candidature was regarded in many quarters as an intrusion under the circumstances.

When the Treasurer comes to make his Financial Statement a serious deficiency will be announced owing to the falling off of estimated revenues, besides which owing to the bad harvests selectors are behind in their payments—something like £BO,OO0 — and less land has been thrown upon the market, while on the other hand the expenditure has been largely increased. The International Exhibition is absorbing a very large amount of money. Under these circumstances a sum of £300,000 at the very least has to be provided for by taxation, probably in the direction of Customs excise and stamp duties, and it is not thought probable the Government will risk an increased tax.

There was a great gathering at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening on the presentation of the testimonial of a thousand guineas to the Dean of Melbourne.

The Harbor Trust want authority to borrow £1,000,000 to carry out Sir John Coode's scheme. There is a good deal of opposition to it.

The estimated cost of the Melbourne Exhibition is £219,735. Dr. Campbell's design for the seal has been accepted. . It represents Britannia introducing Victoria to the natives. Excellent observations have been taken of the conjunction of Mars and Saturn on Tuesday morning. The nearest approach took place at 5 "hours 8 minutes a.m., when the distance between the centres of the two planets was eighty-eight seconds of arc. The color of Saturn appeared of a decidedly greenish tinge, and in marked contrast to that of Mar?, which was of a red orange tinge. The conjunction was clearly apparent to the naked eye. One thousand persons attended the intercolonial football match between Victoria and South Australia. The former won seven goals to nil. Goulburn won the Victoria Gold Cup and also the Steeplechase at the amateur race meeting at Caillfield. Another fine shipment of cattle, purchased by Mr. William McCullough in England, arrived by the Kent. There is a good deal of distress in various parts of the colony, and steps are being taken by subscription and other means to alleviate it.

The weather continues very fine and cold. The want of water is felt in many parts of the country. The Government are withdrawing the permanent artillery force and a number of the police from the country where they were stationed during the Kelly scare, entailing a very large expenditure. Nothing is nowheard of the outlaws. (PEE TARARUA AT RUSSELL.) Sydney, July 5. The residents of luverell, in consequence of the habitual neglect of the Government in the matter of roads, are inviting the inhabitants of the northern discricts to agitate for separation, and form a new colony or amalgamate with Queensland. - A search instituted through old Crown grant.s of land in the vicinity of Sydney disclosed four instances of very valuable intended reserves for recreation purposes. An additional £SOOO sterling has been voted by the Assembly for the Exhibition buildings, making £175,000 altogether. The Premier assumes that this should suffice, but it is generally doubted. The original estimate by the Colonial Architect was £50,090. The dismissal of Mr. Barnett, the colonial architect, is demanded by several members. The Government admitted that his estimates were often unreliable, but defended him from the charges of collusion with contractors, and stand by him. A consignment of ostriches have arrived from the Cape; six survived. They are intended by the owner, Mr. Martin, who has had experience at the Cape, as au experiment of ostrich farming here. Dr. Morgan, of the Sydney Infirmary, Las been charged with having performed an important operation whilst under the influence of

liquor, in the infirmary. The Board instituted an inquiry, and reported, entirely exonerating him. The evidence was conflicting. The Government have determined to push for a separate enquiry. The Assembly have reversed the resolutions passed in May, 1879, abolishing tolls and ferry dues. This is expected to add £20,000 sterling to the revenue. A whale 93ft. without the head, and 28ft. wide, has been washed ashore ten miles from Newcastle. Thomas Walker presented two thousand pounds sterling to the Infants' Home at Ashfield. The Victorian Government grant free passes on the railways to enable the unemployed to reach New South Wales. Numbers have passed through Albury ; .many are boys. There are numbers in a deplorable condition. Melbourne, July 5. Mrs. Eraser, who kept a house of ill-repute at Melbourne, died recently, leaving £BO,OOO to relatives. Mr. Lytherly, M.L.A., charged on a summons at the City Police Court with assaulting and garrotting Dr. Black, was dismissed on a technical point, which was referred to the Supreme Court. Adelaide, July 5. Two brothers—Henry and James Cohen—were arrested on a charge of embezzling money from their employer, Mr. Coates, secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society. They were subsequently released, friends compromising the matter.

The Queensland Assembly has voted £250 per annum to Lady O'Connell. Further experiments in salting beef by infiltration have been highly successful. A Western Australian policeman has been sentenced to three months' imprisonment for the manslaughter of a native assistant.