AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 426, 10 April 1880, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, April 1.

In consequence of the recent action of the Legislative Council in twice rejecting the Bill for imposing stamp duties, which was sent up from the Legislative Assembly, Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier, has introduced in the Assembly a Bill to deprive the Council of future power to amend money Bills. Sir Alfred Stephen has given notice for the introduction of a similar Bill in the Upper House. April 2.

' The Government have made a call of a quarter of a million of the special deposits with the banks, leaving £1,475.000 still on deposit. It is understood that money being easier the banks were agreeable to the withdrawal being made. Sir Henry Parkes, Premier, introduced in the Assembly last night, his Bill for depriving the Council of future power to amend money Bills. He made a lengthy speech on the occasion. Sir Alfred Stephen has also introduced in the Council a Bill having the same effect as that now before the Assembly. April 3. The Handwick races took place to-day. Cumberland Stakes—Petrea, 1; Martindale, 2 ; Sweetmeat, ,3. Four started. Betica won easily. Suwarrow was last. Time : 3min. 47sec.

The following Exhibition awards have been announced to-day. First prizes— Burt, for lead piping ; Buchanan, for illustrations of grasses ; Colonial Museum, geology and natural history; Professor Haast, ethnology ; Anna Wilson, of Dunedin, for lace ; Mrs. Beal, for shell ornaments. Second prizes—Burt, for bottling machine ; Burton, for taxidermy ; Jennings, for stuffed birds. Sundry New Zealand exhibitors in the foregoing classes take third and fourth prizes.

Patua rice, £lB to £l9, dull; New Zealand wheat 4s. 10d.; New Zealand oats, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d.; candles, Bd. to B|d. April 5. Arrived : The Union Company's steamship Rotorua, from New Zealand. The revenue for the quarter amounts to £928,481, being a decrease of £201,603 compared with the total received in the corresponding period last year. Melbourne, April 2.

The works in connection with Sir John Coode's scheme at Fisherman's Bend, on the Yarra, are actively proceeding. A further meeting has been held for the formation of a frozen meat company, with a capital of £IOO,OOO. Already £13,000 have been subscribed.

The Cabinet have decided to reduce Mr. Benjamin Berry (who was promoted by Mr. Graham Berry shortly before the resignation of the Ministry) to his former rank in the Civil Service.

The Orient Company, and Messrs. Money, Wigram, & Co. have notified their readiness to provide the necessary space for frozen meat in their steamers. The Peninsular and Oriental Company have the question under consideration. April 3. The second son of his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby is dead.

The revenue for the past quarter amounted to £1,250,000, being an increase of £IIO,OOO as compared with last year. The revenue from excise duties, land tax, and railways shows an increase, but the Customs revenue has decreased.

Messrs. M'Meckan, Blackwood and Co. have sold the steamship Omeo to Messrs. Nipper and Lee, of Melbourne and Sydney. April 5.

A meeting has been held of those interested in the new Meat Preserving Company, at which a report of a most satisfactory character was read, it stating that the business still continued to improve. Adelaide, April 2. The revenue of South Australia for the past quarter amounts to £483,000. , April 3. The Orient Company's steamship

Chimborazo arrived here to-day, from Plymouth. Sydney, April 6. The Australian Jockey Club Plate was run to-day and resulted as follows : Caspian ... ... ... 1 Petrea 2 Martindale ... 3 Seven started, and Caspian won by a length. Time : smin. 38.2-tenth sec. King George's Sound, April 6. The P. and O. Company's steamship Siam, with the inward Suez mail, arrived here to-day. Melbourne, April 6.

The steamer Tararua, which sailed to day for New Zealand, grounded at the entrance to the Yarra, but it is expected she will again float at midnight. New Zealand milling oats are worth 2s. 7d. to 2s. Bd. In consequence of short supplies, there is a good inquiry. Melbourne, April 7.

The Hon. Duncan Gillies, commissioner of railways, in reply to a deputation, said that the railway loan would be floated in two months' time. The application which was made in Banco, against David Syme, proprietor of the Melbourne Age, for commenting on an action for libel while still subjudice, has been discharged, defendant regretting having made the comments complained of, and paying all costs. Sydney, April 7.

The following further Exhibition awards have been announced : —Walton, for basils, and Burt, of Dunedin, for refrigerator ; both first-class. Burt's refrigerator is also highly commended. In the Legislative Council last night, the Education Bill passed through committee.

King George's Sound, April 6. The P. and O. Company's steamship Siam, with the inward Suez mail, arrived here to-day.