AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5678, 11 June 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PER ALBION AT THE BLUFF,) (PER PRESS agency). Melbourne, June 3.

There have been two principal political speeches during the last few days, and one or two minor ones. Murray .Smith, one of the most prominent members of the Opposition, addressed his constituents. He summed up the result of the embassy at nil, and called upon the Conservative party to rally, and particularly the money classes to be up and doing, so as to be ready for the coming campaign. Murray Smith is a good speaker, and from his side of politics it was an able speech. Major Smith, the Minister of Education, in a speech on Friday night, took great credit for the Ministry. He maintained that they had done more than any other Ministry, and that they had effected a great saving in all their departments. He admitted that the land tax had not been a success, but it was intended to obtain the sura originally set down, viz, £200,000, and to make it more progressive. Major Smith contended that the embassy gained all they expected, aa Berry, when he went away, never expected more. The great points now with politicians of opposite views is as to tho real object and benefit to be gained by the embassy. Berry will return here next month. He has been ill, but a telegram from Galle states he is now better. Lady Normanby is now in much better health. There is nothing further in connection with the Provincial and Suburban Bank. A petition has been presented to the Supreme Court for winding it up. It will probably be granted. The great case brought by the contractors against the Ballarat Water Commission has been concluded. A verdict was given for the plaintiffs for £32,190. The costs will come to fully one-third that amount. There are 122 entries for the Melbourne Cup, being 70 from Melbourne, 40 from Sydney, and 12 from Adelaide. The Champagne Stakes on New Year’s Day has 45 entries. Weiberg and his accomplice Pearce stand remanded while the police still continue the search for plants of sovereigns, some of which have been found. It is probable that no examination will take place until the arrival of Elliston, late chief officer of the Avoca, who, it is believed, will come out to give evidence. Hogan, who was convicted of fratricide at Yarrawonga, will be executed next Monday. The Monk inquiry at Mansfield has caused a good deal of comment. The Government adopted the report, and will not pay Monk anything. The coffee tavern movement has been fairly initiated, and is being carried out in the city and some of the suburbs. Jas. Spowers, one of the proprietors of the Argus, died suddenly last Thursday from paralysis. He was seized coming into business in the morning, and died the same night. Moore’s centenary was celebrated by a concert in the Town Hall, which was crowded with an enthusiastic audience. „ Heavy rain has fallen all over the country, causing floods in Gippsland, but no loss of life. All places of amusement are doing fairly, especially “ Henry V." at the Princess’s. Business continues very dull, but there is a little stir in breadstuffs, the market for which is hardening. Flour is now quoted at £l2. The barque Trinculo, well known in the coasting trade, was wrecked on the Ninety Mile beach, in a gale on Thursday night. No lives were lost. The French warship Calvados is now in harbor with relief crews for French vessels. It will take some released Communists. Great progress is being made with the Exhibition. The main hall will be completed before the close of the year. Applications for space are very numerous, and from all parts of the world.

The defeat of our rowing club in Sydney has been somewhat of a surprise, but the water at the time was too rough for our rowing men.