AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 5870, 24 January 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(per ALBION AT AUCKLAND.) Sydney, January 15.

Parliament re-opened on the 13th inst. The secret manner of conducting the inquiry into the recent railway accident at Paramatta has been strongly condemned by the Press.

On the 14th inst. the Stamp Duties Bill was considered and carried. The Tariff resolutions for increased duties on spirits imported, also distilled in the colony, and sparkling and other imported wines, were agreed to. The projected Sydney Meat Preserving Co. has proved a failure. Subscriptions for the Irish Belief Fund are pouring in. The country towns are moving in the matter, and influential gentlemen are personally canvassing Sydney. Fraser and Company have given £250, and promised a second donation for a like amount if required ; the Bank of New South Wales contributed £SOO. Prominent theatrical and musical artists also subscribed handsomely, besides offering' their services for an entertainment fund. A practical discovery, rendering bank notes impossible to be forged by photography, has been discovered by a Sydney chemist. It is stated that the leading banks are in treaty for the purchase of the patent. Numerous meetings of protectionists have been held to protest against the fiscal policy of the Government. Mr. Burton, circus proprietor, is insolvent. Among the alleged causes are losses in store and hotel. The liabilities are £5024, and the assets £4854. Melbourne, January 14. A lad named John Lawson has been committed for throwing a stone and destroying the sight of a lady. The main building of the International Exhibition is nearly completed. The erection of a temporary court has been commenced. Several Primitive Methodits at the Magenta Mines have seceded from that body, and call themselves Independent Methodists. A dispute has arisen between the two parties as to the division of the church buildings. Captain Pearce will proceed to Europe by the s.s. Kent, to exhibit a panorama of Victoria, with descriptive lectures, the object being to encourage emigration. Adelaide, January 14. The Irish Belief Committee have received £2IOB additional subscriptions. The sum of £ISOO was received from Archbishop Gould, including his own donation of £SOO. Several subscriptions of 100 guineas have been received. Meetings in aid of the fund are being held all iiv.tr the country, and large sums have Hobartov, January 14. The Treasurer’s budget shows a deficiency for last year of £135.000, which is to be mot by Treasury bills extending over ten years. The estimated revenue for the ensuing year is

£381,000, and the expenditure £404,532, leaving a deficiency of about £35,000. £12,000 is to be provided for by new taxation through the Customs, £22,0'>0 by an excise duty of 3d. per gallon on beer, and Is. 3d. on spirits, and by the imposition of a property tax. The duties on tobacco will be 2s. 6d. per lb.; kerosene, fid. per gallon. Works of art are to be admitted at ad valorem, rates. A loan of £400,000 at four per cent, is to be raised.