AUSTRALIA.

Southland Times, Issue 9350, 16 October 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

[By Elbotbio Telegraph — Gopybight.] (BEUTES'S TELEGRAMS.) MELBOURNE, Oct 15, . Sir Patrick Jennings, Premier of Now South Wales, in reply* to Mr Giliies'proposal, considers L 20,000 inadequate as a joint oontribution by the colonies to the proposed Imperial Institute. He recommended that L 30.000 or L 40,000 should be snbderibed. The South Australian Government has expressed its inability to increase its proportion to the L 20,000, as proposed by Mr^Gillies. The Viotorian Government suggost that the municipalities should contribute to the Institute. Papers in reference to the question of colonial naval defence, including Admiral Tryon's scheme, w^ re presented to Parliament. They show that the Admiral proposed that a war vessel should be manned by the Admiralty, aud that the colonies should bear the cost of its maintenance, which was estimated at L 152,000 yearly. Mr Gillies proposed a scheme involving an expenditure of L 90,000. The New Zealand Government considered its position exceptional, and proposed to make an annual payment of L 20,000 direct to the Imperial Government. The Argus to-day in an article on the defence question expressed the belief that a binding arrangement between the colonies or great advantage to them will shortly be concluded. The Legislative Assembly has been sitting all night, the Opposition having stonewalled the Estimates over the educational vote. Cairo has been scratched for the Melbourne Cup. The House of Assembly which bad been sitting all night, rose at 1 p.m. to-day. The papers in reference to the question of colonial defences which have been presented to Parliament show that the all colonies have objected to bear the cost of a coloaial navy, but the Governments of New South Wales aud Queenaland have agreed to pay interest on the capital cost or a fleet and depreciation. The Victorian i Government, however, has objected to this. From the appearance of the weather it seams doubtful that to-morrow (Caulfield Cup day) will be fine. Following is the f latest betting for that event :— Silver Mine, 7 to 2 ; Boolka, 8 tol ; Britisher, Bto 1 ; Little John, 9 to 1 ; Recall, 10 to 1 ; Ben Bolt, 13 to 1 ; St. John, 16 to 1 ; Lesbia, 20 tol ; The Levite, 20 to 1. SYDNEY, Oct. 15. A communication from Sir Robert Stout to Mr Sutter, Postmaster-General, has been published, ia which the New Zealand Premier states that his Government hope to come to a decision this week regarding i the Australian-New Zealand cable question. A severe gale, accompanied by heavy j rain, has been blowing for the last six hours, duiing which time 5£ inches of rain has fallen in Sydney. New Zealand wheat is selling at 4s 3d ; and oats at 2s iOd per bushel. Sugar Company's No. 1 pieces, L 25 per ton.