AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2363, 13 October 1880, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Australia at Auckland.) NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, Oct. 7. An official report from Bermegan states that the first line of claims is situated within thirty yards of the sea beach, and extends in a continuous chain for four miles. About thirty claims have bottomed on payable gold. From three grains to one pennyweight per dish have been washed. The population is about 800, and more are arriving by every steamer. At the inquiry into the wreck of the Susannah Godeffroy, considerable sensation was caused by the evidence given by the second mate that he was a competent pilot for Port Stephens, and had offered the captain to take the ship in there, but that the captain refused, saying that if she went into Port Stephens she would be condemned and he would lose all his savings invested in her, as the mishap would be telegraphed from Cape Schank, and that no further assistance was required, as the weather was fine, and no -danger was apprehended. The Marino Board severely censured the captain, and attributed the loss of the vessel to her unseaworthy condition. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. In the Assembly attention was called to the great influx and probable enormous increase of Chinese in the Northern Territory, and the necessity for increasing the police force with a view to protecting the Europeans. General regret was expressed at the rejection of the Poll Tax Bill in the Council and special legislation was urged. Ministers stated that the Government Eesidcnt reports that the Chinese are very quiet and orderly, and there would be no trouble.

Mr Eounsell, member for Gumerache made a personal attack on the Treasurer on the consideration of the Judges’ Eetiring Bill. He said the Bill was introduced to give the Treasurer a rosy billet. He was obliged to withdraw the expression, but subsequently said if the House wanted a judge of horse racing gambling, dog fighting, or a gentleman in a perfect state of hard-up, they would know where to find him. YICTOEIA. A human hand has been picked up in Flinders street by some boys. Private information was conveyed on Wednesday to the Commissioner that a certain person per Aconcagua was smuggling a large quantity of jewellery. Mr Clark, failing time to communicate with the officials, proceeded personally to Williamstown and overhauled the man, and found nearly three hundred watches and a quantity of jewellery in his possession, which he impounded. The Presbyterian Assembly will memorialise the Assembly against legalising the totalisator. QUEENSLAND. The Government has received letters from the Revs. Chalmers and Beswick, giving details of the murder of some Chinese by New Guinea natives. The Chinese engaged the natives to fish for beche-de-mer, and the natives were dissatisfied with their pay ; moreover, the Chinese habitually molested their women. They were warned by the native teachers to leave, but refused, and the natives attacked them in great numbers and stormed and captured their junk. Some Chinese escaped in boats. According to this letter, the Chinese are entirely to blame. The Rev Mr Walters, however, thinks the natives should be punished, to deter them from attacks on peaceful traders at some future time. The Opposition have taken exception to some farmers whose names are on the Syndicate in London to construct the trans-continental railway on the land grant principle.