AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 567, 25 February 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(per at.biox, at hokitika.) Hokitika, February 14. The Albion was tendered last evening. Melbourne (Undated). The Assembly, by a large majority, passed the addn-ss to the Queen on the crisis. Mr. Berry, who spoke at the close of tlie debate, aaid that the present depression in business was the result of a foul conspiracy on the part of capitalists. Neither he nor his supporters would hear ■anything of a compromise. There is every reason to believe that the battle will be fought out to the bitter end. At the opeirng of the Juvenile Industrial Exhibition at Ballarat, the Governor touched upon the present position (if affairs from a humorous pyint »>j view. J He repeated what he said at Portland, that he intended to adhere to his instructions and act impartially. A new Conservative Association has been formed for seeing to the proper registration of electors ; LI,OOO was subscribed in two hours. The Government will not make more dismissals until the Imperial reply is re-

ceived ; meantime a large number of dismissed officers are receiving their compensation. Business continues very dull, and complaints are very rife. A number of large houses and employers of labour have reduced the number of their hands. Owing to the unsettled »tate of European affairs, steps are being taken to strengthen our defensive position at the entrance to the heads. The Assembly stands adjourned to the sth of March. The autumn race meeting commences on the 3rd March. First King and New* miiisfer are the most hacked for the .Australian Cup ; Wateif.ini and Tom Kirk for the Newmarket. Handicap. D'Orsay Ogdeii, the American actor, lias made a success at the Princt s*'s, in the phi}' of " Two Men of Sandy Bar." 'I lie application for a writ of Habeas Corpus, which would test the validity of the recent dismissal of County Court Judges, was refused, on the ground it was not a proper method of proceeding. A i[UO >varr<r.nlt> wiil now he applied for.