AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1488, 22 May 1880, Page 20

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Peb s.s. Tababua, at the Blub 1 ]?.)

Blum 1 , May 19fch. VICTORIA.

The Governor formally opened Parliament yesterday afternoon, when there was # a numerous attendance. The Speech, which was read sitting, says :—": — " I have called you together at an earlier period than usual, in order to afford time for the consideration of important measures which will be laid before you. Necessary works required to place tbe Colony in a state of defence against possible aggression are now in course of construction ; a gentleman of acknowledged fitness has been appointed on behalf of the Colony to give evidence. Buildings for the Exhibition are approaching completion, and the commissioners estimate the total expenditure will be L 320.000, but the receipts from the sale will reduce it to L 250,000. A large area of land has been settled, but a portion of the Colony was totally unprovided with water during tbe summer. The population has consequently suffered great losses and privation. The conservation of water is therefore necessary. With that object a board will be appointed to report and Bubmit proposale for the accomplishment of this object. All the lines of railway autborised by Parliament have been opened for traffic. My advisors are fully persuaded of the necessity of new lines to meet growing requirements. Proposals will be submitted with this object." The Speech then refers to the Judicature Commission for considering the blending ef law and equity, the report on which is now awaited. "There are evident signs that the great depression of trade and commerce which prevailed so long, .md affected so seriously all classes of the community, is passing away. The late abundant harvest, tbe bigh price* obtained for wool, the apeedy prospect of frozen meal; becoming an almost unlimited article of export, aud the restoration of public confidence will materially assist in promoting the prosperity. My advisers consider it their firut duty to submit a measure dealing with grave questions of constitutional reform, and trust that they will receive your earliest and most attentive consideration. The several Land Acts in operation expire »t the close of the year, and a measure will be laid on the table for making provision for settlement and pastoral occupation of the remainder oi the w

alionated Crown lands. As nearly 1200 miles of railway are opened, it in considered tbat the time has arrived for a more economical and efficient system of maur.gotDent of the State railways. A bill will be introduced with that object. An ainendmont of iho Public Service Act; ia urgt-nfly required. My sdvjsurs i\re persuaded tlmt a permanent reduction of tho public service canaot bo secured or maintained until a raciical change ia mnde in the conditions on which persons enter it. A measure with that object will he submitted for your consideration." The Speech wtut on to refer to mining on private property. The recent discoveries of payable quartz reefs hnu directed attention to the insecurity of thy tenure of mining tenements, and an amendment will be proposed for giving greater security to bona fide holders. The bills which are intended to be introduced are then enumerated. Mr Service will propose the Rtfnrm Bill immediately after the debate on the Address ia concluded. At the Opposition caucus Mr Berry was unanimously elected leader. Mr Gaunßon, in a speech, severely condemned the Ministry, de. claricg their re-election to be illegal and unconstitutional, A large anti-Chinese meeting was held yesterday. The Argus in an article points out that the number of Chinese in Victoria has largely decreased of late years, aud that serious competition by them with Europeans is impossible. The stock of coal in Melbourne is so low that all orders have been suspended. The supply is barely sufficient for immediate requirements. Mr Duffy, Commissioner of Lands, visited the " Mallee" country, which is considered famine-stricken land, entitled to special legislation, and proposed to grant it to squatters on long leases. The Orient steamer Cotopaxi, now en route for Australia, is fitted with refrigerating machinery. At a meeting of the Zoological Society the Secretary was instructed to write to Dr Hector for information regarding the American whitefish and the possibility of their introduction into Victoria; also, whether rooks are procurable from New Zealand. Sir Samuel Wilson stated that the brook trout ova imported were nearly all dead. The Exhibition Commissioners deoided, by a majority of one, to allow Chinese to compete in making 6000 chairs for the Exhibition, from which they were excluded by a recent advertisement. There was a large attendance, aud a warm debate at the meeting of the Commission on the subject. Agitation is now being raised in certain quarters against the decision of the Commissioners. The barque Vreenden, from Java, arrived at Qaeenscliff on the Bth, with a disease called " Beriberi" aboard. Three deaths occurred on the voyage, and three more on the 9 th. There are seven further cases in the Hospital, two of them very precarious. The competition for passengers to Sydney and Adelaide by sea is very keen, and passages are offered at greatly-reduced rates. Patti's series of concerts has closed.