AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1466, 3 January 1880, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per s.s, Albion, at the Bluff.) Bluff, December 29fch. VICTORIA.

Sir Bryan O'Loghlen's foolish act terminating the agreement between the Government and the banks is likely to cause a serious difficulty. The banks now ask 12 months' notice to set aside the contract, inßtead of six months' notice. It is suggested that interest should not be paid on the public account where the aggregate in hand is under L 50,00 0; also, that interest should not be paid on current departmental accounts in Melbourne, Melbourne accounts being put in the position of those in country districts, on which no interest is paid, The Chief Secretary declined to assent to the propositions, on the ground that the average lc»s would be LBOOO per annum. They proposi d to continue the old contract for three mentis, in ordtr tbat the situation may be further reviewed, but the banks declined to accede to this overture. It is probable the Government will meet with considerable opposition on the reassembling of Parliament. The retuaal to deal definitely with the railway frcleri/C occasions much dissatisfaction, the Opposition believing the railway loan > is to be u^ed to influence doubtful constituencies. A etlecov named John Dawson charged Donald Cameron, member for West Bourke, with receiving L 2 for introducing him to the Minister for Lands. Cameron denies the charge, and has brought the matter as a case of privilege before the House. Opinions differ as to whether it is a case of privilege. The Attorney-General promised to look into the matter daring the recess. George Higinbotham, 10 years ago a brilliant leader of the Liberals, has been asked to stand for Parliament. He is considering the matter. He informed the requisitionists that he regarded the late Embassy as an extraordinary error, and considered the plebiscite destructive to representative government. The Geelong Exhibition was opened by the Governor, lhe display of juvenile industry was very creditable. At the banquet which followed, Mr Graham Berry met with a cool reception, which, occurring in the town he represents, is significant. Sneaking at Beaufort, Mr Berry apparently adhered to the principles of the Reform Bill, but the remarks of other Ministers cause doubt on the subject. News from Singapore states it Is rumoured Sir W. Robinson, brother, of Sir Hercules, has been appointed Governor of Natal. Mr Graham Berry is too busy to visit the Sydney Exhibition as intended. A small torpedo fuse accidentally explodedat Williamßtown while Captain Mandeville, commander of the Cerberus, and Gunner Groves were experimenting. Both were rather severely shaken and received a few flesh-wounds.

The Minister of Instruction states if payment by results is adopted the ooit of the department will be increased from L 500.000 to L655.00Q. The department employed 1268 teachers and 814 assistants, divided into six classes.