AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3330, 4 December 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegkaph.l

(Per s.s. Wairarapa at the Bluff). Melbourne, Nov, 27. The officers who were selected in England for the Victorian defence force arrived by the s.s. Rome, and have taken up their quarters at St. Eilda, pending the preparation of quarters in the barracks. Mr Bolan, late Inspector of Education, whoso name was prominent in a late divorce suit, has been appointed Inspector of Stores, at a salary of £SOO a year. The appointment has given rise to a good deal of comment. Mr D. D. Chambers has been gazetted Acting-Commissioner of Police during the absence of the Commissioner, on leave. Mr Eerford, Attorney General, entertained the Convention delegates at luncheon at the Australian Club on Monday. The gathering was of a purely social character. Sydney, Nov. 27. A garden party has been held at Government House,in honor of the Earl and Countess of Roseberry. The vice-regal party afterwards made an excursion to the Blue Mountains. Several men have been arrested on suspicion of being French escapees from .New Caledonia. Owing to the scarcity of water the Mayor has called upon the citizens to exercise economy in its consumption. Earl Carnarvon, formerly Secretary of State for the Colonies, recently made large purchases of land in Sydney and its vicinity.

James Boscawen Duff, late Deputy Registrar-General, has been committed for trial for embezzling money belonging to the Government. Sir William des Vcoux, Governor of Fiji, is now in Sydney. Advices from Noumea state that the French ship Bordeaux is a total loss at Boulari Pass, near Noumea. Mr Reid, Minister for Public Instruction, is indisposed and unable to attend to his duties. The police at Forbes have arrested a youth on suspicion of being concerned in the Woolloomooloo murder. Adelaide. Mr Justice Andrews has been granted leave of absence for six months owing to ill-health. The City Council have agreed to grant a new lease of the Adelaide racecourse to Messrs Blackler and Farry, on condition of their effecting some improvements. The Working Men’s Association at Port Adelaide have resolved to form a stevedoring company with a capital of £SOOO, the Association taking up £IOOO. There is a great dearth of agricultural laborers, and in some cases 35s a week, with board and lodging, and wine or beer in the harvest field, has been given. Beisbane. Sir Anthony Musgrave held his first levee on Thursday, It was one of the most numerously attended ever held here. Mr Rutledge, Attorney-General, has been returned unopposed, and all the Ministers have been re-elected, except Mr Dutton, Minister for Lands. Sir Thomas and Lady Mcllwraith leave for England next week. Edward Macartney has been arrested under the Immigration Act for attempting to leave the colony within three months of his arrival. He recently came with his wife and son as a free immigrant passenger, costing the colony £4O. The case was, however, dropped owing to a legal informality. Mr E. G. Morrison, the “ Age ” explorer is recovering,and will leave shortly for Melbourne,