AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 606, 15 September 1883, Page 20

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per s.s. Manapouri at the Bluff ) (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Melbourne, September 4. Much regret is expressed at the resignation of the Rev. Charles Strong of his position as Presbyterian Minister. About two years ago he wished to resign, on the ground of illhealth ; but was persuaded to take six month's leave, aud he then promised to remain twelve months after his return. Since ihe notice given him cf libel in the Presbytery he considered it better for all conctraed to rts’gn. He will probably quit the colony iu the course of a few weeks. Ihe repairs to the Cerberus are approaching completion, and she will shortly go back to her moorings. A number of satisfactory trials have been made with a train simitar to the one which Collided at Newmarket, and in all cases it pulled up in less spice than when the danger Bigoal was given on the occasion of the accident. Mr and Mrs Hart opened at the V ctoria H ill on Saturday, in their entertainment called “ Happy Hours,” drawing good houses. Sydney, September 4. The cases against Captain Bowley, of the steamer Pathan, charged with suppljing insufficient and unwholesome food and water to passengers, are concluded ; and, in eighteen out of nineteen cases, the verdict was for plaintiff for sums varying from £3 to £l2, in addition to £2O c impensation in each case. The fire at Buckenfed Colliery, Newcastle, is more serious than at first supposed, aDd it is feared the mine will have to be flooded. Seven shocks of earthquake were felt in various parts of the colony. Tidal disturbances have also occurred on the coast. Communication has been opened with other colonies with a view to establishing a federal quarantine system. Brisbane, September 4. The case of Dr. Kesteven against the Hospital Treasurer for wrongful dismissal resulted in a verdict for defendant. The Court held the dismissal was justified.

(Per s.s. Zealandia at Auckland.) Sydney, September 6. Ministers have recently been banqueted in various parts of the country, but no exposition of the Ministerial policy in regard to the Land Bill has been made. Parliament meets for the despatch of business on the 9th October. On the day the Australian Jockey Club Metropolitan was run, the weather was very unpleasant. Clouds of dust were blowing, with a cold wind, and the attendance on the course did not exceed 9000. The victory of the Gem was a good thing for the Bookmakers, as he started at 12 to 1. It required five attempts before a start was made, and then a most indifferent one was effected. The Gem was splendidly ridden by McGrade, who only won by the shortest of heads on the post. The divorce case Hornitz v. Hornitz is proceeding. The petitioner, who is well-known in mercantile circles, seeks a divorce against his wife. A youug man named Solomon is corespondent. The decision of the judges in the Herald contempt of Court case has raised a storm of indignation in the Press of the cilony, and is generally condemned. Brisbane, September 6. The steamer Truganini is lying beached on Fern Island, near Cape York, with a hole in her bows. It is supposed that nine Chinamen, who recently left Cairns for Johnston River, have been murdered by blacks near Russell River. Melbourne, September 6. The Government intend immediately to remove old Prince’s Bridge and ereet a temporary structure. The licensee of the Temperauce Hall has been fined for allowing the lobbies and gangway of the building to be overcrowded at a Salvation Army meeting. At the stud sheep sale, a ram from the stud of Mr John Camming, of Terraualum, after a splendid competition, was knocked down at 3150 guineas to the Hon. T. T. Gumming. The competition was between the buyer and Messrs W. Cumming and sod. This is more than double the price ever paid before. Another ram, from Mr Charles Hyrey’s il >ck, was sold for 1000 guineas. The highest price paid for an Ercildoun ram was 300 guineas.