AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1182, 25 July 1874, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[by telegraph.]

Melbourne, July 10th. Business in Parliament has been unimpoitant, the Assembly only sat two days during the last fortnight. Owing to the illness of the Chief Secretary, the House decided not to proceed with the Constitution Bill, and on Wednesday last the adjournment was made, owing to the death of Mr Pope, the member for Grenville. The Chief Secretary, who had a severe attack of pleu risy, is now recovering. The Local Government Amendment Bill, as introduced, does away with the main road subsidies, and establishes a system of endowments. The question of payment of members is j to be again submitted. On the question of going into committee upon it, a majority of i the Assembly was in favour of it. The railway revenue for the past year ending June, is £850,000, being £100,000 oyer the estimate. Two of the new light lines of railway were opened this week without ceremony. Mr M'Lean, the New Zealand Minister, occupied a seat on the floor of the Assembly on Tuesday night. The Rifle Association telegraphed to England to ascertain what inducement and what matches were open for a team from all the Colonies ; twenty men to visit England. New Zealand is asked to join. A portrait of Mr J. P. Fawkner is to be painted for the Public Library out of the proceeds of a public subscription. A boy named Gallaghley was cut to pieces on the Suburban railway. He was passing a level crossing at dark. A fire haas occurred at Dudgeon and Arnell's tobacco factory. The loss is estimated at £10,000. The insurance is—Building, £2500 ; machinery and stock £710. Mr R. O. M'Coy, late principal to the Ballarat Presbyterian College; committed suicide by cutting his throat yesterday. The firm of J. and R. Callaghan, boot importers, had certain goods forfeited, as false

entries were passed at the Customs concerning them. The R.M.S.S. Pera left Galle with the mails three days before contract time. She is expected here on Saturday, July 25th. Blondin is expocted here after visiting Sydney. Heavy gales have been experienced the last few days. No casualties of any importance are reported. July 15th. The Revenue for the year amounts to £4,152,000, the lai'gest yet obtained, and exceeding the Treasurer's estimate by £300,000. The Customs, Public Works, and Miscellaneous show a large increase. The territorial revenue is falling off, owing to the Government having withheld the sale of land by auction. The Chief Secretary is suffering frooi a relapse, and is confined to bed. The Treasurer will present his Financial Statement on Tuesday next. New writs have beeu issued for Grendelle vice Pope deceased, and for Collingwood vice Everard insolvent. Keen contests are anticipated in each place. The Municipal Conference is now sitting on the Local Government Bill introduced by Government. A testimonial of sympathy has been presented to Ruperti Green, lately acquitted of the Queen-street explosion case. A prospectus has been issued of the Pakawhau and Victoria Coal Company, for working a mine in Nelson ; capital, £30,000, in £1 shares. A correspondent has written to the Argug, I stating that the Rev. Robert Fleming, I late of Otago, was refused recognition as a preacher in Victoria, and no reason is assigned by the Home Mission. Three military funerals took place last Sunday in Melbourne. The Assembly last night passed the Reform Bill through Committee, and agreed to the proposition of the Government prohibiting the Joint Assembly from making any alteration in money bills. Captain Ducan, of the barque Palace, from Wangaroa, reports seeing a light at the ! Sisters Island, Bass Strait. It was conjectured the fires were made by castaways from some wrecked vessel. Gavin Casey, a surgeon at Brighton, was yesterday committed by the Coroner for twenty-four hours for contempt in giving evidence at an inquest. The Chief Secretary was slightly better this morning. The steamship Albion arrived this morning. The question of errecting a lighthouse at Cape Nelson or Cape Bridgewater is under consideration of the Government. Breadstuffs have not undergone any material alteration ; flour, £13 5s ; wheat, 6s 3d ; oats, 5s 3d to 5s 6d. Sugars show a decline of 15s per ton. The price of quicksilver is advancing. Cornsacks are quitted at 10s 6d per dozen. Hennessy's case brandy is offering at lower rates ; Associated Vineyard, at ' 6s 9d. A private London telegram reports the price of pig iron as declining, whilst another telegram reports that private sales of wool have realised an advance of a penny on last public sales. Sydney, July lOfcb. It is stated that Gar:liner was recognised abourd the Calif ornian steamer on Saturday. A case of smallpox is reported aboard the Government Steamer Ajax, at Newcastle. i The shipowners have resolved to petition the Home Government to amend the Polynesian Labour Act as ruinous to legitimate trade. The Bishop of Sydney proceeded to Brisbane on an official visit. July 15th. A case of small pox at Newcastle has terminated fatally. The barque Sierra Nevada and the brig S. H. Peake came into collision twenty miles south of Newcastle. The brig was struck amidships, and sank in two minutes. The crew were saved. Messrs. Moore and Douglas have been nominated for East Sydney. Messrs. J. L. Montefiore, James White, and Professor Smith have been appointed members of the Upper House. The Torres Strait Mail arrived at Singapore a day before time. A landsman, named Driscol, who was kidnapped on board the Wemyss Castle, has brought an action against the captain and mate. Brisbane, July 10th. Four Bills have been passed increasing the salaries of the Governor and Ministers, but they negatived the increase of the salaries of the President and the Speaker. j July 15. Both Houses have agreed to a conference | to-morrow respecting the Land Bill. J Blondin performs on Saturday week under ] the patronage of the Marquia of Normanby. Adelaide, July 10th. Mr Bundey has accepted office as Minister of Justice and Education. A privilege dispute exists between the two Houses, owing to the Council inserting an amendment in a Money Bill. ' The revenue for the half-year exceeds half a million sterling. A number of coolies are en route from Singapore for the Northern Territory. July 15th. Ernest Giles, the explorer, has sent a telegram from Charlotte Waters, dated 13th July, stating that he has discovered a fresh water lake, and splendid country, 150 miles beyond Gosse's depot. Large sales of wheat for export have been effected at 5s 6d, afloat,