AUSTRALIA.

Southland Times, Issue 3312, 31 January 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

a(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION'S SPECIAL WIRE.) SYDNEY, JAN. 30. The Legislative Council have introduced a clause in.the Parliament Privileges Bill, defining contempt as acts, words, or writing in or within the precincts of the Chamber. The report that Governor Robinson had received" his "commission for New Zealand' is incorrect. The date of his departure is indefinite. »■ The Chinese Bill empowers the Government to levy a poll-tax of £10 on every Chinese -landing, v,and in/^the event of non-payment, the captain of the vessel is liable to a fine of £20 and the forfeiture of the vessel. MELBOURNE, Jan. 30. Great preparations are making for the reception of the Marquis of Normanby. Sir Bryan O'Loghlen will meet the Ringarooma at the Heads. The butchers project establishing a new meat company, of £40,000 capital. John Thomas Smith, once Minister of the Crown and seven times Mayor, is dead. ~ It rumored that a reduction will be made in the number of the railway employes. The weather is desperately hot! "Fires are raging thioughout the country. The Hon. W. N. Smith died this morning. At a public meeting, under the auspices of the Anti-Chinese League, resolutions were passed urging the Government to legislate in respect to the present influx Lo the colony. ADELAIDE, JAN. 30. The weather is fearfully hot, and large bush fires are ragingl < BRISBANE, JAN: 30. At a meeting of stock owners it was resolved to establish boiling down works at Tidal Waters.. Eighty Chinese landed at Darwin from the steamer Bowen.