AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5666, 28 May 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(per arawata at the bluff.) ; . . (PER PRESS AGENOT.) :

Melbourne, 22nd May.

The principal topic in political circles during the week has been Mr. Service’s speech at Maldon,; the telegraphic report of which occupied ten columns of the Argus. Mr. Service, in a most exhaustive speech, traversed the whole political circle, and proceeded to show that the Embassy had been a failure, as predicted. He counselled moderation in dealing with the Reform question, and strongly urged his views as. the best solution of the difficulty. The speech has been much canvassed, and commented on in the most favorable manner in this and other colonies, the Adelaide Register setting it up as a model for South Australian statesmen. It was moderate in tone, and showed clearly the course which should be pursued by' the party of which Service is the recognised leader. A regular campaign is sure' to be Opened. The Minister for Works leads off for the Ministers at Castlemaine to-night, and the Minister for Education at Ballarat next week. Already two members sitting on the Government aide of the House have spoken to their constituents/ and both condemned the Embassy as a failure. At the official opening of the Geelong to Queenscliffe railway yesterday, the Governor, replying to the toast of his health, counselled moderate forbearanee and conciliation in the use of political institutions. Sir Bryan o’Loghlen u and Mr. Lawler, replying for the Ministry, endorsed the sentiments of his Excellency, and Mr. Lawlor, who is not generally credited with much moderation, announced himself as a moderate man. The members of the Upper House who were, present assured the Government that it would be useless again to send up the Reform Bill, but if a new measure were introduced the Council would be prepared to meet the Government in a reasonable spirit. There is no hope that this vexed question null be soon dealt with in the coming session. ; .

Mr. Zox , the, member for East Melbourne, who recently called'a.meeting of his creditors, has not yet resigned his seat. -- The Jt'roviucial and Suburban Bank examination is proceeding. The investigation discloses an unsatisfactory state of. affairs. The notes issued were found to be considerably in excess of the last return, and ‘the liabilities are heavier than assured, while, on the other hand, the good assets are reported as smalL The agricultural statistics, just published, show- an- unsatisfactory state of things, owing to the long: drought and the ravages of f* rust.’* There is a falling off in the wheat crop of no dess than 1,302,792 bushels, while the area under crop has increased by 93,349 acres. -The average‘yield was only Sv bushels per ■ acre, the lowest yet recorded. The deficiency will be great, inasmuch as, apart from the short yield,' we have also made large shipments during the present year to South America and elsewhere. Already the publication of the statistics have had_ effect on the 1 prices of wheat, both here and in South Australia. Oats show an increase of 307,511. bushels, or an average of a fraction over 17 bushels the acre. - The Harbor Trust Commission have adopted. Sir John <>odfi’s report, subject to somemmor modificat.ous. . • The Government have decided not to release David Henry, notwithstanding tion sent in and the interest exercised in his favor. . _ . Mining prospects have improved in many parts of the country, and now rushes have oc*

enrred in Dunolly district. Some excellent returns have been received, and a large number of miners are on the ground. A lengthened inquiry has been held with reference to the statement by Edward Monk, of Wombat, that he had been shot at bv Kelly sympathisers, after he hail received 'several threatening letters. The whole tone of the police evidence favored the idea that -Monk had put his own saddle on the ground and fired at it, and concocted the whole story. The Police Magistrate who conducted the" investigation has not yet sent in his report. Foley. Hicken, Mace, and Thompson, the men concerned in the late prize fight, have to appear at the Supreme Court at its next sifting on a charge of conspiring to commit a breach of the peace. The Exhibition building ia progressing splendidly, and its imposing proportions are now seen to advantage. The Commission is advertising the position of musical director. A large quantity of rain has fallen over tho country. More is wanted. Kignold, supported by Bartlett and Thorne, opens at the Princess Theatre on Saturday in “Henry V.,” which is being gorgeously mounted. The opera “ Carmen ” has been produced here, and was a success. Mddle. Charbonnet is giving a series of excellent concerts under the patronage of the Governor and Lady Xormanhy. Ihe detectives aud police who arrested Wei -erg are to be promoted. The Government propose to give power to local bodies to employ rates aud endowments for the construction of local lines of railway. Four men have been killed at Smyth'es’ •Dale claim by the cage falling a distance of 750 ft. The Queensland Government have purchased tho schooner Pearl from the Imperial Government for service on the coast ami tho islands about to be annexed to Queensland territory. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Joseph Pearce, charged with aiding and abetting Weiberg. Rich finds of gold are reported at Gympie. Sidney, May 22. In the Legislative Council Sir J. Robertson moved that the Parliamentary Rowers aud Privileges Bill be discharged from the Order Paper. The motion was agreed to. Mr. Cameron has in the Assembly called attention to the fact that the immigration scheme has become a mere traffic in human beings, people being introduced who were only fit for metropolitan life. Sir Henry Parkes read in tho House a correspondence between himself and Chief Justice Stephens in reference to an alleged statement by the latter some years ago that Sir H. Parkes ought to be on Cockatoo Island. Tho Chief Justice had no recollection of making such a statement. At the Central Criminal Court attention has been drawn to tho fact that the French Government are about to release 500 or GOO mora convicts from New Caledonia