AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1495, 10 July 1880, Page 14

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per s.s. Rotorua, at Russkwj.)

Auckland, July 7th,

VICTORIA.

Ned Kelly is apparently recovering from his numerous flesh wounds. His mother, who is confined, is allowed to interview him. He still maintains that he was driven to his outrages by police persecution. > The boy Jones, wounded by the police, has died. It is ascertained that the platelayer supposed to have been killed by the police shots was murdered by Ned Kelly, who shot him for refusing to pull down the windowblinds to prevent the police seeing in. Currow, a schoolmaster, was the man who stopped the special train, giving warning that the rails were up. The scene when the bodies of Hart and Dan Kelly were brought into Greta by the relatives was one of extreme excitement. The procession was met by a great crowd of sympathisers, many of whom were armed. Dick Hart dared the police to interfere at the funeral, and said il they wanted the bodies they would have to fight for them. They were placed in Mrs Skillian's hut. Many sympathisers, inflamed with drink, professed to be anxious for a brush with the police It is stated that standing by the corpses, in the presence of Kate Kelly, Dick Hart raised his right hand and swore to avenge their deaths. Threats were made to roast the Glenrowan constable as the outlaws were roasted, It is doubtful yet whether amputation will be necessary in the case of Superintendent Hare's arm. The Government have not decided when and how Ned Kelly is to be tried, whether at Melbourne or Beechworth.

Rumours are still cropping up. Wild Wright and D. Hart threaten to take to the bush, with a stronger band than the Kellys, to wreak vengeance. The report has been since contradicted. Kate Kelly shot Sergeant Steele, who shot Ned Kelly. The Press of Sydney and Brisbane generally condemn the conduct of the Victorian police as reckless regarding the lives of the 30 prisoners shut up with the outlaws in the building while volleys were fired. They were careful of their own lives, and never ventured to risk them till the place was in flames and the outlaws dead for (■ome time.

A musical cantata with the motto of " Abori^inee " has been awarded a prize of 100 guineas against 27 competitors. Correspondence relative to the dissolution is published in the Gazette. Mr Service, in his memorandum, expresses a belief that if his Reform Bill was now submitted to the country a new Assembly would be leturned with a good working majority favourable to the bill. The Governor's reply stated that he would hesitate to grant a dissolution, and could not see any prospect for another Government ; but being hopeless, he felt bound to follow the advice of Ministers.

The Hunt Club met at Maori Hill on Saturday, when there was an excellent muster, about 50 sportsmen putting in an appearance. A run of three and a-half miles was made to the Half-way Bush, and the party then started from Kedzlie's and enjoyed a pleasant gallop over M'Farlane's and the City Company's land towards Kaikorai for a distance of seven miles. The general opinion was that the meet was the most BUCcesßf ul of the season.