AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 407, 17 August 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Albion, at Nelson.) Melbourne, August 8. The Railway Construction Bill passed the Assembly after considerable alterations. The direct Oakleigh line now avoids the Botanical Gardens and the Government house domain. Tiie Election Committee is still engaged in dealing -with petitions. Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed at the unseating of Dr. M'Cartney, on the ground of being a minister of religion, and public meetings have been held to protest.

Mr. John Stevenson, late Secretary of the Railway, has been discharged from the Government service. The action, Ireland v. Captain Chapman, late of H.M.S. Dido, for false imprisonment at Fiji, is proceeding. Damages claimed, LIO,OOO. It is expected that the negotiations with Green will lead to the establishment of a Cape service. <> Tasmania. Mr. Fysh has been sent for to form a Government. Adelaide. The Council decline to proceed with business, having passed a vote of want of confidence in the Chief Secretary. The Ministry denies the right of the Council to say who shall be Ministers. _ The Argiis condemns the action of the Chief Secretary. The drought in the country is severely felt. The weather is very dry and warm. Business is improving. Large supplies of breadstuffs continue to be received from the country, but as the market is not forced, there has been no reduction of prices. The Financial Statement will be made on Wednesday or Thursday next.