LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4685, 22 February 1877, Page 2

LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Tararua, at Bluff.)

(FROM OUR MELBOURNE TELEGRAPHIC COR'

RESPONDENT.)

Melbourne, February 14th.

Mr Gmham Berry, the loader of the Opposition, has spoken at Geelong, but there was absolutely nothing new in his utterance. He presented the samo old programme, which consists of the strongly-flavoured Protective policy and the land tax, which is to burst up the large estates. He said plainly that he had nothing to add to what he had already advocated, and therefore the followers of Berry know well what they have to expect.

New candidates are now ciopping up every day—good, bad, and iudifferent. All the present members appear to be again offering themselves, and there is every prospect of a strong contest in each an'l all of the electorates. It i 3 perhaps yet too early to offer any conjecture as to what the result of the general elections will be ; but there is every prospeot of a majority being returned against the present Government, though perhaps not altogether in favour of Mr Berry. Sir James M'Culloch, although an able man, is not popular with the large majority of the people. The publicans will also exercise a large share of influence in the coming election, and it was by the present Ministry that the existing Act which precludes Sunday trading was passe:l. Until Monday night last there had been no rainfall of the slightest consequence for the last six weeks, but on the night in question a heavy thunderstorm occurred, which was accompanied by a copious and most welcome rain. The country was beginning to get into a terribly dry state, Every blade of grass was witheiedup, and cattle and sheep were dying by thousands. In some of the country districts the water supply was getting much reduced, but the rain which has fallen will now serve to prevent some future evils, aad serve to revive the country. Sir George Boweu. has accompanied his guest, Sir Win. Gregory, to Tasmania, where they propose remaining for the week. Sir William will then proceed to Sydney, and become the guest of Sir Hercules Robinson, his predecessor in the Government of Ceylon. The Union Bank have purchased the Criterion Hotel property in Collins street for 1*33,000, and intend erecting new banking premises thereon.

John Lord, the secretary of a suburban Building Society, has been arrested on a charge of embezzlement, the defalcations, which have extended ovei a period of three years, amounting to o\ er L3OOO. Several fires have recently been reported in the country districts, but the damatre has mostly been confined to agricultural produce, farm buildings, aud fencing. For three days and nights, Melbourne was filled with tho smoke from bush fires.

" Les Dandicheff" was produced at the Opera House on Monday night, for tho first time in the Colonies, by a company to some extent new to a Melbourne audience. So far, it has been

a success. Bailey and Cocher's Circus are making inland, but will open here again at Easter. At the Theatre Royal and Academy of Music, or Bijou Theatre, there are excellent performances. At the J.atter, the newest importations of talent from London—Mr W, H. Walton, and Mrs Fi.tzwilliaie—have proved a success, Altogether, we are just now pretty well catered for in the way of amusement. A young woman, 18 years of age, while lookj ing after hoises, was struck dead by lightning ion the Creswick Road on Monday night. The body was very much Mackened, and her apparel torn to shreds. On the same day, tivo woin6n I were drowned in the storm waters in Fletcher's ! Bush, near Sandhurst.

Messrs L. Stevenson and Sons have given notice to the Crown of their intention to discontinue their action against the Government. The publicans still continue ostensibly to close their houses on Sundays, but in many— and very many—instances, the rule is. inpre honoured in the breach than in the observance, as there is still a large loophole in favour of lodgers and. bona fide travellers. ;Advices from Tasmania state that the hop crop this year will be deficient—probably not two thirds ot what was expected. |Breadstuffs continue firm.