AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 739, 22 August 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PER "WAKATIPU, AT AVfiLUNaTON.) The Lousitania arrived at Adelaide on the 14th, and the Somersetshire at Melbourne, The latter brought 260 passengers, amongst whom is Dr. Ryan who distinguished himself in the Russo-Turkish war and received a number of testimonials from the Sultan.- The Somersetshire returns to England via Suez Canal. Mr. Heuty. the oldest colonist in Victoria, is dead. He had resided in the colony for 46 years, A new dock has been opeued on the Yaira, and a ship of over a thousand tons has been taken in. At the Cable Conference held in Melbourne on the forenoon of the 14th imt., the rights qf Press proprietors to combine i for the receiving of Press messages at reduced rates, was discussed. It was plainly shown that the St. Petersburgh Conference contains no articles against such a combination. It is understood that the objections to the combination were raised by the Indian Government, and especially against the reduction in Government rates without the consent of the Convention. The threats of the English Government to retain fourpence instead of one penny per letter out of its receips for mails to Australia and New Zealand was discussed. It was stated that Victoria would lose LIO.OOO annually, and Sydney aud New Zealand L7OOO, if this new arrangement was insisted upon. A joint niHSssige to the Victorian Agent-General (Mr. Michie), asking if the Imperial Government had replied to the protests of Agents-General on the subject, was decided on.