AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3128, 12 April 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Per s.s. Wabatipu at Wellington.) Sydney. There has been little doing in political circles. No successor has yet been appointed to the Minister for Works. Several scenes have taken place in the Assembly owing to the conduct of Mr A. G. Taylor and Mr Mcllhone, both of whom were frequently compelled to withdraw and apologise for expressions used. Mr Taylor grievously insulted the Speaker by asking him, when giving his ruling on an important point, whether it was his opinion or that of the Attorney-General. His words were taken down, and when a sort of apology was given, the matter dropped. Last night an animated debate occurred on the question of the Government expenditure of £I3OO for a telegram to London giving particulars of the Treasurer’s Budget. The Treasurer justified the outlay as being beneficial to the colony, but the extravagance is generally condemned. The Licensing Amendment Bill is causing a good deal of discussion and opposition. The steamer Tasmania, belonging to the Wallsend Company, struck on some piles and sank at the wharf, but was raised next morning. She sustained material damage. Business is generally dull. After a long spell of fine weather, rain fell on Wednesday and was general in the agricultural districts. The Nelson and Miranda proceed to Fiji next week. Beisbane.

Mr Eedmond has been lecturing at Gympie and Rockhampton. The meetings were very quiet and a considerable amount o£ money was subscribed. A farewell banquet was given to the Governor and Miss Kennedy at Toowoomba. The Governor is not well.

Melbourne. Palmer has been arrested and admitted to bail for killing Soodar Khan. The Government are unable to proceed with the Harbor Trust Bill this session and the Trust ask power to issue £250,000 in debentures. Very satisfactory accounts hare been received from all parts of the country in regard to the prospects of the present seasons’s grass. The Commissioner of Customs has stated in the Assembly that no power existed to permit malting barley in bond. , Mr Bossisto has accepted the position of Chairman to the Victorian Court at the Calcutta Exhibition, and will shortly proceed thither. Julian Thomas, “ The Vagabond,” sails for New Zealand next week.

The Public Library is now lighted by electricity. > ... ...

t An action for breach of contrac against the Crown in consequence of the failure of the Telegraph Department to deliver a reply to a message which the plaintiff had sent from Dunedin, and for which he had paid, resulted in a verdict that the Crown was not liable, as the failure arose through an oversight in the Dunedin office.