AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5553, 15 January 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY

(pee eingarooma AT THE BLUFF.) Melbourne, January 7.

There is quite a lull in politics, and most of the Ministers are absent from Melbourne. The Governor, too, is at Colac, on a visit to Messrs. Robertson Brothers. Governor Robinson is visiting his daughter af Gleuormiston. The revenue returns, which have been issued, show a surplus both on the quarter and on the year. There is a great falling off in the Customs, especially in spirits and articles of general consumption, as well as wharfage rates, but there is an increase on the i.-. - ways, owing to the increased mileage now open, and the land tax swells out thejmrplus, which on the quarter amounts to £37,284, the total receipts for the quarter being £1,238,106. Sir William Jervois, who has visited Victoria relative to his defensive works, has urged that they be pushed on, and it is likely that the Government will expend some of the still unexpended vote. Judge Bindon, of the County Court Bench, is going Home, and it is said not to return. At last the police have taken some action in regard to the Mansfield murders, and about a dozen sympathisers have been arrested in differents parts of the country, under the sth section of the Outlawry Act, for aiding and abetting the Kellys by furnishing them with information. Two of those arrested have been discharged, but the remainder were lodged in gaol under remand for a week. So far as the Kellys themselves are concerned there is no information, neither is there any tidings of Wyberg, who escaped from the police in the Gippa Land district. The reason of Messrs. Robertson's annual sale of stock being so poor this year is the opening of the ports consequent on the removal of the prohibition on imported stock. At a sale of thoroughbred stock, recently held, the well-known brood mare Rose da Florence was sold for 1000 guineas, and Wellesley, full brother to the Derby and Champion winner was sold for 325 guineas. The termination of the seamen's strike in Sydney is a cause for congratulation. The A.S.N. Co. has now resumed its regular trade. There is a prospect of a football team visiting the colonies next winter, negotiations having been opened to that effect. Lyster's new opera company, which iuclndes Miss Rose Kersec, is shortly expected to arrive.

The weather so tar is very dry and warm, and rain is much wanted.

The wheat deliveries from the country are getting very largo ; over ten thousand bushels recently came forward. Sir John Goode’s report on harbor works will be ready during the present month. The failure of the wheat crops in some districts of the colony is reported, and many selectors in consequence are unable to meet their pecuniary liabilities. The question will probably have to be dealt with by the Cabinet. Very good entries have been received for the Australian Cup and the Newmarket Handicap. Le Loup and Trump Card are included in the Cup, and Le Loup for the Handicap. Wellington, Swiveller, Melita, Boswortli, Richmond, Warlock, Columbus, Glenormiston, and Aconite are all in the Cup, while in the Handicap there are fifty-two entries.