Mail News.

Otago Witness, Issue 1499, 7 August 1880, Page 12

Mail News.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (Peb s.s. Albion, at the Bluff.)

Blufb 1 , August 2nd. VICTORIA. On Thursday, July 22nd, in the Victorian Parliament, Mr Berry moved a want-of-con-fidence motion, Mr Service objected to it as being entirely out of order before the Governor's Speech was delivered. He accordingly appealed to the Speaker, who on Friday delivered his ruling in writing, that the motion was quite receivable. Thereupon Mr Service said that, while he and his colleagues would bow to the decision, tbey felt ho stroDgly on the subject that they could not countenance the subsequent proceedings. The Government members then left the House en bloc. Mr Wrixon, a member of the Opposition, also protested against such a breach of the Constitution, and quitted the Chamber. Sir John O'Shanaesy eaid nothing, and Mr Berry submitted a motion without a speech, that the Home take the earliest oppor. tunity of informing his Excellency that his advisers do not possess the confidence of Parliament. This Major Smith seconded, and it was carried without a division. The House then adjourned till Tuesday. At the Opera-house on Saturlay a tragic occurrence took place. A young Irishman named Greer, just arrived at Melbourne, shot his wife and a Fxenchman named Sondry, a member of the French Commission at the Exhibition. It appears that Sondry voyaged to Melbourne in the s. s. Garonne with Greer and his wife, and obtained an intimacy with the latter. The intimacy continued at Melbourne, where the wife ultimately confessed her impropriety with Sondry to an agent employed by Greer. The latter took his wife to the opera on Saturday, and on returning after a short absence from the theatre saw Sondry talking to his wife, whereupon he shot them both, and then him* self. Mr Service has informed the Asaemblythat $ new Government would require a million

sterling for the servicas of the current year. Up to last night (July 26 tb) the efforts for a coalition between Berry and O'Shanasay were unsuccessful. The Cabinet yesterday resolved to adhere to their previous resolution. Messrs Zincke and Officer will move the Address-in-Reply to-day. The Opposition will probably move an amendment in which reference will be made to Friday's no-confidence motion. A Board has been appointed to inquire into the charges against Messrs Ford, 0 . Munro, Warrington, Rogers, and J. Blyth. A meeting in the Masonic Hall yesterday adopted an address of congratulation to Mr Graham Berry. F. F. Bailliere, medical agent, is insolvent. Dr Beaney is one of the principal creditors. Mrs Greer asked leave yesterday to write to Sondry, but was refused. She manifests great interest in Sundry and scarcely any in her hus band, whom she was un wishful to see. There was a great crowd at the Police Court yesterday in hopes of seeing Kelly, but they were disappointed. Kelly was remanded for a week. A meeting of the Cabinet and its supporters was held on July 21st to consider the situation. A Ministerial caucus on July 21st approved of the resolution of the Ministry to meet Parliament before resigning. An Opposition caucus the same day resolved to support Mr Peter Lalor for the Speakership. Objections were stated to the Ministry retaining office, and the meeting determined to force a want-of-confidence motion. On the opening of Parliament, neither Sir J. O'Shanasay nor Mr Gaunson attended. The Mandurang writ has been returned, but the protest of the returning-officer was endorsed because Mr Williams had not signed the nomination papers. Mr Berry and Sir J. O'Shanassy had an interview at the Parliament House on the 21st. The latter indicated that if he joined Mr Berry it would be upon the understanding that the claims of the Catholics in the matter of the Education Aot shoald be considered at an early date. Mr Berry said the Liberals would not make concessions nor accept Sir J. O'Shanassy's position in the Ministry otherwise than secondary in the interests of the party. At the opening of Parliament on July 22nd, 84 members were sworn in, the absentees being Messrs Wrixon and Gibb. While Mr Lalor was being elected Speaker, Mr Bent caused some sensation by protesting, on the ground that Mr Lalor was a rebel to the Crown, and had been drunk on the floor of the House. Mr Service following, disavowed for himself and colleagues Mr Bent's remarks, say iDg that the circumstances alluded to were of very old date. Mr Berry notified a want-of-confidence motion for Friday, but Mr Service and Sir J. O'Sbanassy maintained that Mr Berry was acting unconstitutionally in so doing, as no business should be done before Parliament was formally opened by the Governor, which was announced for Tuesday, the 27 0h. Mr Servioe stated that the reason for his now resignation was the necessity for obtaining supplies for the incoming Government, and the wiah of the present Ministry collectively to meet the adverse motion. A heated and undignified discussion followed the motion, lasting several bourn. Ultimately a motion for adjournment till Friday was carried. The Ministry resolved not to take part in the discussion on Friday, nor resign befora Tuesday. There is much speculation as to the p&'sotmel of the new Ministry, but it is considered pretty sure that Messrs Woods and Longmore will be omitted. Mr Berry offered Sir J. O'Shanassy to submit three alternative proposals^ to the Liberal party on the education question, but none were acieptable to Sir J. O'Shan&ssy, and no understanding has been arranged. Mr Peter Lalor, the new Speaker, was presented to the Governor on the 23 rd. In discussing Mr Berry's motion on Friday Mr Service maintained that the motion was irregular and unconstitutional, violating a rule well established, that business cannot be transacted before the Governor's Speech. Mr Service said Ministers were not wishful to retain office, but wished everything done "decently and in order." He maintained that Parliament had been summoned with unexampled promptitude. Mr Berry replied that formalities were no part of the Constitution, and that the House could do what it wished by its "inherent power." He said the extraordinary conduct of the Government in not resigning justified the extraordinary course. Mr Gillies replied denying that the course the Ministry were pursuing was extraordinary, and if the inherent right plea was admitted the House would have no law bat its will and the whim of the majority. Mr Lalor submitted his ruling in writing, in which replying on the 1788 precedent, when George 111 was insane, and on the inherentright principle, he declared the motion admissible, which was thereupon carried in the absence of Ministers. It is stated the Ministry intend ignoring entirely Mr B9rry's motion passed last Friday. Dr Renwick, New South Wales commissioner, returned to Sydney on July 20th, having completed, in coc junction with M Joubert, the secretary, all the Exhibition arrangements. The fittings of the New South Wales court have already been commenced. Applicants for employment at the Exhibition are still numerous, but no more are required. The Commissioners invite tenders for photographing-rooms, refreshmentbars, and dining-rooms— the latter to include a substantial meal for 6d. The Commissioners resolved on the title "Melbourne International Exhibition." They invite designs for medals, offering a premium of L 25, open till the end of August. According to latest mail advices rumours of the Prince of Wales coming to Melbourne were still current, but are unauthentic. The Waterloo Coursing meeting commenced on the 20th. The weather was fine, but cold. There was an excellent attendance and a larga number of entries. On Tuesday Lelex beat Hop-picker. Springwater, an outsider, beat Rosy Fawn. The meeting was continued throughout the week. There was beautiful weather on the whole, and the good attendatce was sustained. Springwater continued her career of success, and won the Cup. Sunnysides won the Purse, and Brixham won the Plate. The dispute between the Harbour Commissioners and Wright, Orr, and Company has. been settled. The Commission are to pay Wright and Orr LSOOO, and obtain old stock and part of Wright's new dock. The obstruction on the Yarra will now be cleared. An application on behalf of the proprietors of Punch, in the case of Syme against Mackinley, to make certain interrogatories to Syme with reference to Government advertisements and telegrams, was refused. The ship Hydaapea, recently sunk off Dungeness, contained a supply of refrigerating apparatus for conveying frozen meat to England, for which trade she was intended. She also had aboard a quantity of English meat and j salmon, to test the process for long voyages. Dr Pearson, bishop of Newcastle, a passenger J by the Potosi, waß warmly welcomed on bonrd by Bishop Moorhouse, Dean Macartney, a :d a number of clergymen,

Mr Justice Higinbotham was sworn in on the 20th of July. The Victoria Insurance Company has declared a dividend of 10 per cent. The Orient steamer arriving in September will be fitted with refrigerating apparatus, and a considerable quantity of meat will be forwarded in time to arrive in London before Obrißtmas. NEW SOUTH WALES. The Government intend to test three refrigerating railway cars— English, American, and Colonial— during the ensuing summer. Nearly every immigrant per Samuel FlimsoU has obtained a situation, mostly through friends. . . „ _, v , Gordon and Gotch's fire originated in Boake s photographic shop, and was accelerated, by the explosion of chemicals. The rush to the Tamora diggings still continues, and a very large number of people are there now. , . , The Newcastle Gas Company have declared a dividend of I*4 per cent. The Pacific Fire and Marine Insurance Company declared a dividend of 10 per cent. Gotch's premises, destroyed by fire, were mostly insured, including the New .Zealand Company for LIOOO. The Commercial Bank declared a dividend of 2i per cant., added L 20.000 to the reserve fund, and carried LIO.OOO forward. The Australian Joint Stock Bank declared a dividend of 12$ per cent. The Victoria Theatre was burned down at II o'clock on Friday morning. The origin of the fire is unknown. It was only partially insurod. . . Ten escapees from New Caledonia are criminals of the worst type, and eight more subsequently escaped. The builders and contractors are forming a company, with a capital of LIO.OOO, to erect a builders' exchange. Harwood and Chatsworth'a Islands sugarmills are crushing 3000 tons weekly. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The Chamber of Manufacture is agitating for the establishment of a system of technical education. The Government have promised consideration of the scheme. The Corporation propose to borrow L 15.000 for the erection of batha and fishmarket. In the Estimates submitted on July 20th, the following increase of expenditure was proposed: -Police, L 800 0; education, L 18.00 0; post and telegraph, L 600 0; public works, L 15,00 0; immigration, L 15,000. QUEENSLAND. Mr William fl. Buzacott, proprietor of the Rockhampton Bulletin, and brother to the Postmaster-general, is dead, of congestion of the lungs. There is increased activity m mining m Queensland. Smelting is proceeding, and further prospecting patties have set out. Advices from Batavia state that the Yarra is loading sugar for Melbourne. The Mercantile Bank declared a dividend of 9 per cent. In consequence of the stagnation of trade and absence of business the banks have reduced interest on all deposits over six months to 4 per cent. For any time less than six monfchß no interest will be allowed. Rates for advances are reduced 1 per cent, all round. In the intercolonial rifle match New South Wales beat Queensland by 780 to 755. The House went into Committee on the Mail Route Act on July 22ad by 24 to 17, but strong opposition is expected to the measure. The Queensland National Bank declared a dividend of 10 per cent. The Exhibition was opened on the 12 th by the Governor. About 12,000 persons were present. The cattle and sheep are considered of good quality.