AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2739, 31 December 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Pur s.s. Wakatipu at Wellington.) Sydney, Dec. 24. Fresh cases of smallpox developed at the Sanatorium on the 21st. The Messrs Lewis were seized with the disease, but the other patients present are reported to be progressing favorably. Dr Colletti, on the 21st, performed a requiem mass for the soul of Mr Fitzpatrick, who was buried without any religious service being read over him in consequence of sorr6 misunderstanding, after which ceremony he proceeded to the grave with the family of the deceased and performed die burial service according to the prescribed ritual. Melbourne.

In the Assembly on the 20tb the Premier intimated that it was not intended to co operate with Sir Henry Parkes in the endeavor to get Australian wool and produce into America free of duty, the present time being considered inopportune. On the 22nd there were 20,000 tons of shipping in Hobson’s Bay awaiting, berthing accommodation. On the 23rd it was reluctantly agreed to relinquish the £lO poll tax on Chinese arriving from other colonies. The gross takings at the c ‘ Olde Englishe Fayre” were £SOOO. Burglars broke into the Technological Museum on the 23rd, and stole gold to the value of £IOO, also several uncut diamonds.

Experiments will shortly be made to light the streets with electricity. The Australian Electricity Company are employing domestic lamps. The conclusion of the cricket match, English Eleven against Yictoria resulted in a victory for the former by 18 runs, was attended with much excitement. Boyle for Yictoria, played an excellent innings of 43. Palmer, with 14, was the only other double figures, McDonell, Horan, Edwards, Bonuor, and Cooper, each had “0” for their score.

Successful experiments have been conducted in the presence of twenty shareholders of the Southern Petrolem Company, Hew Zealand, with samples of oil from the Company’s ground, where, it is reported, mineral oil is freely found. Proceedings will shortly be instituted against several firms for the fraudulent use of the trade marks of Hennessy’s and Kartell's brandy and J.D.K.Z. gin. On the evening of the 22nd a young woman named Elizabeth Burke fired a pistol at the head of Charles Chapman, a music seller, at the latter’s shop door. The bullet only grazed his cheek, and Burke, who walked away, was arrested. It is said Chapman had ruined her and refused to give her money, and she consequently swore to kill him. The collections on Hospital Sunday amounted to £6600.

The profit on the working railways of Victoria during the year amounted to £679,000, equal to 3* per cent on the capital. Adelaide.

A laigo deputation waited on the Minister of Lands on the 20th, and represented there was great distress amongst sellers in Coonatto, Pinda and other dietrcts. They asked Government to become mortgagees to twothirds of the value of the property. The Minister said Government were anxious to meet settlers by postponing payments, but could not become mortgagees of selections. The “ Register ” believes the cause of distress to be the selection of land unsuitable for wheat growing, and urges a prompt and strict investiga tiou into the whole circumstances.

Mr Charles Massey, the well-known scenic artist, died suddenly of apoplexy. Perth. A prospecting party have selected five

thousand acres of mineral lands on the Darling: Ranges. They report finding a promising reef running in a south east direction.