Mail News.

Otago Witness, Issue 1502, 28 August 1880, Page 12

Mail News.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. VICTORIA.

Kelly was formally committed to take his trial at the Beechworth Circuit Court, on October 14th, on charges of murdering Constables Lonigan and Scanlan. Since his return from Beechworth he is much depressed, and complainß of the pains in his foot. The bullet was extracted on Friday, since when the pain has been relieved, Constable M'lntyre, the principal witness in the Kelly case, is suffering from pleurisy, and has been obliged to go to the Hospital. Sir Hercules Kobinaon and family have booked by the John Elder, to sail on the 21st September. The Argus Bays that Mr Fo« Hngsby'a portrait of Sir Hercules is a speaking likeness and an artistic work. Last night's Age published an account of the interview of its reporter with Kelly in Beechworth Gaol. It subsequently transpired that the reporter was Mr D. G-aunson, the prisoner's solicitor. The Argus published a sub-leader severely commenting on the conduct of G-aun-son, which, it said, was calculated to prejudice the public mind against the witnesses for the prosecution. Mr Gaunaon wrote declaring that the Argus had rendered itaelf liable to a criminal information for printing matter calculate to prevent a fair trial. The Argus thereupon republished its former remarks on the subject, in order to enable Mr Gaunaon to move in the matter if he bo desires. The Argus states that Soudrey is no longer connected with the French Exhibition Commission, but continues to represent a number of Frenoh exhibitors. The statement of the Age that Souirey left by the Garonne is inaccurate. At Mr M'Oulloch's horse sale on Thursday, the stallion Duke fetched 775 guineas. Mr Stanley was the purchaser. NEW SOUTH WALES. The French war-ship Navariuo has arrived at New Caledonia with 380 convicts, and 700 Government employes and soldiers. The number of liberes at Noumea is causing anxiety. Three chiefs have sent a friendly letter to ex- Governor Aubry, acknowledging hisjjustice towards them and the good feeling that at present exists between the chiefs and the Government. An official letter has been addressed to teachers of the denominational^ schools warning them to be prepared for a discontinuance of their salaries unless they qualify themselves by submitting to an examination. The credit balance of profit and loss of the Sydney Meat Company at the half-yearly meeting on Wednesday was declared to be LB9OO. It was resolved to increase the capital, with a view to entering on the frozenmeat trade. QUEENSLAND. The Budget Statement shows the expenditure for the current year to be L 1,689,000. and the proposed increase of land sales L 175.000. A duty of 2i per 100 feet on cedar (exported), and one of ljd on steariae (imported), are to ba levied. These charges are expected to yield L2BO,QCO, leaving a. Burplua of L?2,Q00.