AUSTRALIA NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 714, 24 July 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIA NEWS.

(Per s.s. City of Sydney at Auckland.) Sydney, July 1&.

The money received in the New South Wales Treasury for the six months ending June, including the balance brought forward, amounted to L7,752,74(>, and that paid out t0.£3,840,449. Mrs. Scott-Sicklons received from her Sydney admirers a testimonial, accompanied by a massive gold clviin and locket set with a spray of diamonds. Mr. Berry, in introducing hi 3 tional Reform Bill in the Yictowan Parliament, said the (government had at first proposed to deal with the question by resolution, and then pbtain the Imperial sanction ; but during the recess they had deemed it more ' expedient to clo. so by a Bill. It was assumecj t/hst the House of Commqns had intended to confer on the Colony pure responsible Government on the model of the British Constitution, and if this had been carried out a deadlock would not have occurred, and tho rights and privileges of the Assembly not have been invaded. The proposed new Bills will be divided into two classes —viz., money Bills for improving the taxation and import duties, and other Bills. In respect to. the money Bills, the functions of the Council will be limited to passing them only, and if not dealt with within one month, the Bills shall be deemed to have passed. In regard to other Bills of ordinary and general legislation, if passed by two consecutive segs.ions of Parliament and rejected by the Council, the Bills would be taken as passed, unless a irrj >- rity of the Council demanded a pull, so so that the country should be made the final arbitrator. Mr. Berry said that the Government had little hopes of passing the Bills.

Tn tin-? L iajiye Council on, the same day, Dr. Dorison sj:ive notice of a Motion to'abolish the 56th clause of the Constitution Act, giving the Assembly only power to initiate money Bills, and, the Council power tp ftmerid thfim. Repaying to a deputation. Sir Arthur Gordon said the British Government did not reootrniae the right of Cakobau to •jive land to private persons. In each case the purchase of lands from the Land Company of Fiji would be dealt with on their merits.

Captain Steele and Thomas the garpeiiter of the ship L/iota, have been arrested on a charge of wilfully casting away the shin,. , Dowuie, the victim of a stabbing case, has died at Newcastle. Biusbane, July 18. Two small vessels are leaving for New Guinea. Owing to the failure of the Coen River gold-fields, many diggers are ■/qing. Melbourne, July 18. Malcolm MeLeod has been arrested on a charge of killing his wife. Victoria will not, for the present, join the International Postal Union. Adelaide. July 18. The Reform Bill has been read a, first time. Mour is at from LlO 15s, to Lli 12s ; wheat, ss.