AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 426, 10 April 1880, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(per arawata, at the bluff.) Victoria, March 31.

The Government are busy preparing for the work of the session. The Reform Bill is nearly drafted. The Lands Department are plotting the boundaries of the proposed new provinces, and returns are being prepared showing the number of votes at various stages from the ratepayers' roll upwards. The Government have reinstated Mr.

Thomas Higginbotham as Engineer-in-Chief of the Railways. They offered to allow Mr. Watson to retain his present salary of £I2OO yearly if he would go back to his old position, but he declined.

Mr. Parrell, the Parliamentary Librarian, who surrendered his seat at Castiemaine two years ago to enable Professor Pearson to be returned to the Assembly, has also received notice that his services will be dispensed with shortly. Mr. Williams, member for Mandurang, has been selected to move a resolution in favor of the payment of members, on the re-assembling of the House. Mr. William 3is acting in a friendly spirit towards the Government, who will give him the requisite facilities for taking the sense of the Legislature on the subject. He will propose the old rate of payment, namely, £3OO per annum, arid also that the remuneration shall date from the day of the election. The Government has reserved the land at Sandridge required by the Harbor Trust for the canal cutting recommended by Sir John Coode. New South Wales, March 31.

Sir Henry Parkes has informed the Assembly that the Government is not disposed to proceed with the business, in consequence of the action of the Upper House in again amending the Stamp Bills, and gave notice that he would move on 31st March for leave to bring in a Bill to declare the powers of the Legislative Council in respect to taxation and Appropriation Bills. Commodore Wilson, on hearing of the Chandernagore expedition to New Ireland, ordered the Conflict, schooner, to pay a special visit to the island for observation. The Conflict, after visiting New Ireland, will return to Cooktown, and telegraph the result of the visit to the Commodore.

The Volunteer encampment at Paddington and Middle Head was a great success, notwithstanding the rain ; about 1600 men went under canvas.

The Associated Colliery masters have agreed to a conference with the miners, about the 10th of April, to discuss the present state of -affairs in the coal trade.

The Chinese small-pox patient on board the steamer Brisbane is now convalescent. The vessel will remain the full time in quarantine. South Australia, March 31.

The agricultural statistics show a total area cropped of 1,458,090 acres, with a yield of 14,250,864 bushels, or an average of 9 bushels 471 b. This leaves about 300,000 tons for export, instead of 60,000 tons, as previously exported. It is reported that a Bill will be introduced next session to abolish the immunity from arrest enjoyed by members of Parliament. A deputation from the Young Men's Christian Association interviewed the Chief Secretary and urged the prohibition of church parades of Volunteers, as interfering with the sanctity of the Sabbath. Mr. Morgan declined to interfere, as the attendance of Volunteers was purely optional. Tasmania, March 31.

Governor Weld leaves Tasmania for Sydney by the Tasman on the sth of April, proceeding to Singapore by the Torres Strait mail steamer. Lieutenant-Colonel St. Hill, until recently private secretary to the Governor, and commandant of the Tasmanian Volunteers, has got into trouble. The papers reported that he opened an account at the bank at Hobarton, into which he paid sums for the maintenance of the Governor's establishment as well as his private money in his own bank. It is reported to the Governor that this account was overdrawn to the extent of £I4OO, and the Governor made good the deficiency, suspending, and afterwards dismissing St. Hill. Subsequently Mr. Weld suspended St. Hill from the command of the Volunteers, and reported the matter to the Horse Guards. St. Hill's dismissal as commandant has since been gazetted. Queensland, March 31. The Government offer a reward of £IOOO for the discovery of a cure for rust in wheat, subject to the condition that the cure be proved successful during three consecutive seasons in Queensland. The A.J.C. Autumn Meeting opened on Easter Monday. The weather was fine, and the attendance good. The Hurdle Race was won easily by Express, beating a small and indifferent field. Sweetmeat won the Autumn Stakes by a neck, though Suwarrow started a strong favorite with 5 to 1 on him ; Caspian third. Grand Prix appropriated the Champagne Stakes, for which he was the favorite, Waterloo, a Queensland horse, being second, and Sappho third. In the Doncaster Handicap, won by Queensland, there was a chapter of accidents. No fewer than five horses fell. Santa Cruz was killed, and his jockey, Clarke, sustained a fracture of the skull, from which he has since died. Two other jockeys were also injured. . Lothair won the Trial Stakes, beating a good field.

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS. Melbourne, March 31. Political affairs are quiet, in consequence of the Easter holidays. The Cabinet having considered the desirability of authorising the Harbor Trust to proceed with Sir John Coode's scheme, 250 acres at Fisherman's Bend have been ordered to be reserved for that purpose. The work will be commenced forthwith, thus affording work for hundreds of unemployed. The Government will not make payment of members a Cabinet question. Mr. Ramsay, Minister of in a speech at Brighton, reiterated the intention of the Ministry to sever the management of schools and appointment of teachers from political influence. A caucus of the Opposition takes place at an early date for the purpose of nominating a leader, who will doubtless be Berry, and to consider the situation regarding the payment of members. Reports of auditors and committee appointed to investigate affairs of the European Bank have been published, and gives opinion that the business done shows an absence of financial

and commercial ability among the directors. The total loss of capital is £114,000. A meeting of shareholders stands adjourned to admit f careful consideration of accounts. The Government intend to make an additional appointment to the Exhibition Commission, because the present members are almost exclusively Liberals. A contract entered into by Woods, for construction of cellarage at the Spencer-street station, at a cost of £30,000, has been suspended by Gillies, who intends to employ the money in additions to rolling stock. Edwin Hopton, of Geelong, appointed by the late Government as Inspector of Vineyards, at a salary of £3 daily, recommended his own vineyard to be destroyed, and the owner (himself) to be compensated. Ramsay declines to destroy the vineyard without further enquiry, and'has reduced Hopton's salary to £1 daily. The Argus, in a leading article, recommends that the West Melbourne swamp should be prepared for building purposes, and that the Harbor Commissioners take temporary charge, to carry out the necessary improvements, then sell the sites, and after reimbursing their own expenditure, to hand the balance to the Treasury. In the appeal of Jeremiah Dyer, ex-member of the Assembly, against refusal of Judge Noll to grant certificate of discharge, Judge Molesworth dismissed the appeal, on the ground that the bankrupt had shown no reason for not keeping proper accounts. Certificate suspended for twelve months. The Senate of the Melbourne University has passed a resolution that it is desirable that the teaching of French and German languages and literature should form a portion of the arts course.

The foundation stone of St. Paul's Cathedral will be laid by the Governor on 13 th April. A rule nisi calling on the proprietors of the Age to show cause . why they should not be committed for contempt for commenting on the Punch action, which is sub judice, is returnable on Friday. Howard Smith has extended steamer service to Adelaide, and contemplates further extension to Western Australia.

The New South Wales crew, for the eight - oared intercolonial boat race, on April 10, has arrived, and started active work. Three young ladies were matriculated at the University under new regulations. The list of matches of the Australian Eleven received includes the following :—Derby, Dublin, Leicestershire, Yorkshire, Gloucester, Scarborough, Hastings, Sussex, Birmingham, Lancashire, Orleans Club, Dafts, late American Eleven, Northumberland, All England, Marylebone, Players of England, Gentlemen of England. Obituary.—Rev. James Dare, D.D., leading Wesleyan minister. Sydney, March 31.

The Stamp Duties Bill was read a first and second time on Thursday, and committed. The amendment, which was introduced in a former Bill, after a lengthy discussion, was carried.

The Governor was present at the races. In the St. Ledger—Petrea, 1 : Nellie, 2 ; Pontiff, 3. Gipsy, Cooper, Falmouth, and Foublas also started.

Foster has been nominated for the vacancy in the University Senate in opposition to Parkes.

The Governor visited the Volunteer camp on Saturday, and expressed great satisfaction. Sir J. Martin is still too indisposed to resume his official duties. Adelaide, March 31.

The Government are considering legislation in regard to pleuro-pneumonia, and will probably introduce a measure for compulsory inoculation in a modified form.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

(reuter's special summary.)

London, February 21

There is general horror and indignation throughout Europe by the fresh diabolical attempt on the family of the Czar. Details at present received are very meagre, the censorship of telegrams being more vigorous than ever, but the following are the latest particulars :—Shortly after seven on the evening of the 17th February, when the Czar, with the Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Alex, of Bulgaria, were about to repair to the diningroom in the Winter Palace, a terrific explosion was heard, and the Czar was immediately afterwards informed that the banqueting hall was a wreck, and that an accidental delay alone had saved him and the Imperial family from death. The dinner had been fixed for seven, and the Emperor and Duchess _ of Edinburgh were in an adjoining room waiting for Prince Alex, whose slight breach of punctuality thus saved the Emperor's life. The Empress, who is still very feeble, was asleep in a distant part of the palace, and was not disturbed by the explosion. The Emperor though moved, never lost his self-possession, and the Duchess of Edinburgh displayed wonderful composure. On a search being made it was found that several pounds of dynamite and gun cotton had been placed in the cellars beneath the guard-room, situation the ground floor, directly beneath the dining saloon, and that the explosion was by an electric battery from some point without the palace yet undiscovered. The cellars were used as joiners'shops, and occupied by four workmen, three of whom have been arrested. The fourth man ' is missing. Many persons in the Palace and immediate vicinity have been arrested. At the moment of the explosion the guard chamber beneath the dining saloon was filled with about 160 men, eight of whom were killed, and 45 wounded. Such an attempt in the heart of the Winter Palace is considered all the more extraordinary, because before the Czar takes his usual winter residence there the most minute examination is made in and around the Palace, in order to prevent a repetition of the attempt similar to that made to blow up the Imperial train, near Moscow. If, therefore,

the explosion was really the work of Nihilists, it is thought they must have direct assistance from persons connected with the Imperial household. Queen Victoria and all the sovereigns of Europe telegraphed congratulations to the Czar at his fortunate escape.

All expectation is now abandoned of any announcement of constitutional reform on the occasion of the anniversary of the Emperor's accession to the throne. On the contrary, extreme measures are expected to be enforced throughout Russia. The Czar is greatly irritated and harassed, and is represented as regretting the liberal concessions made during his reign. The" explosion at the Winter Palace makes the fifth attempt on the Czar's life within ten months.

The Pope has issued an encyclical letter, in which his Holiness declares civil marriage insufficient, and strongly condemns divorce. He says it behoves everybody to know that any union between man and woman, apart from sacrament, has neither character nor value as real marriage. Divorce is declared to be fatal to the prosperity of the family and people, and a source of moral depravity. Dr. Russell, of Crimea renown, and special correspondent to the Dailg Telegraph in tha late South African war, has made serious charges of breaches of discipline against several regiments in Transvaal, accusing them of plundering, drunkenness, and general lawlessness, uncontrollable by their officers. General Wolesley denied the charges, but subsequently stated that inquiries would be made as soon as the Home authorities had determined to take action in the matter.

A blue-book has been published containing a despatch from Sir Michael Hicks-Beach to Sir Bartle Frere, dated December 1, in favor of self-government in Natal, also in the Transvaal when settled, and the colonists become loyal. Colonel Brackenbury succeeds Colly as Private Secretary to the Viceroy of India. The Marquis of Lome has recommended the Dominion Parliament to grant a hundred thousand dollars for relief of Irish distress. A Volnnteer review will be held at Easter on Brighton Downs for the first time for the last seven years.

Capetown, March 14.

In the Transvaal matters have assumed a more settled aspect. The Boers had a committee meeting on the 10th, and decided to hold an adjourned monster meeting in April. On the same day Major Langon opened new Legislative Council. Several bills have been read a first time, including one levying a, native hut tax of 10s.

Operations in Kimberley mine continue impeded by fallen reef, for removal of which contract was recently signed, but not fulfilled, at estimated cost of £BOO,OCO.

The Hon. J. S. Spriggs has announced the introduction during the next session by the Ministry of a large scheme of railway extension, and a resolution on the subject of confederation. It has transpired that this resolution will take the shape of a conference of 15 delegates, six from Cape Colony, three each from Grigwal and "West Kimberley, Transvaal, and Natal. Sir Bartle Frere will attend the conference.