AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 129, 21 November 1885, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, Nov 12,— The Federation Opposition leaders have taken a private census ot their respective supporters. Both political parties now claim to have a working majority in the Legislative Assembly. A telegran has been received from Cooktown, which tends to confirm the truth of the report concerning the massacre in New Guinea of the New South Wales Geographical expedition. The message says that the camp was surprised during the night, about 136 miles up the Fly Biver, and the party slaughtered by an overwhelming force of natives, At a meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly of Victoria yesterday, the resolution was adopted by 109 to 37 requesting Melbourne Presbytery to remove from the role of membership at Scots Church all members j of Rev. Mr Strong's congregation. Melbourne, November 17. The Victorian Government have taken steps to urge the Imperial Government to empower Sir Peter Scratchley, High Commissioner of New Guinea, ts punish the murderers of the Australasian Geological Society's exploring expedition. Brisbane, November 12.— A conflict has occurred between the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly relative to the payment of members. On July SOfch last the Legislative Oounoil threw out the Payment of- Members -Bill, which had already passed the Assembly. The Government ntimated at' the time they would recom-

mend His Excellency the Governor to include in the Estimates sums sufficient to pay the expepees of members of the Assembly for the current session. The recommendation has been adopted, and the Legislative Council, in retaliation, has now erased the vote of £7,000 for payment of members from the Appropriation Bill, a proceeding which has resulted in a deadlock between the two branches of the Legislature. Brisbane, Nov 14.— The deadlook between the two branohes of the Queensland Legislature continues. The "Legislative Council is insisting on an amendment to the Appropriation Bill, eliminating the provision for payment of members. A joint committee of both Houses has been appointed to try and arrive at an understanding. Meanwhile, all payments of any kind rom a consolidated revenue have been discontinued. Brisbane, November 15. The manager of the Queensland National Bank in this city received a telegram today from Cooktown, confirming the previous information respecting the massacre of the New South Wales Geographical Society's exploring expedition at Fly River, New Guinea. The telegram further states that a search party is being organised by Mr Douglas to ascertain beyond doubt the fate of the expedition. Brisbane, November 16.— The deadlock between the two branches of the Queensland Legislature is practically concluded, arrangements having, it is believed," been oome to whereby the Legislative Council will pass the Appropriation Bill on the understanding that the opinion of Her Majesty's Privy Council be obtained regaiding the power of the Legislative Council to reject money bills. Sydney, Nov 12.— The Government and Enabling Bill was read a first time in the Legislative Council yesterday. Sydney, November 15.— The Plenary Couucil was opened to-day by His Eminenco Cardinal Moran. There was a large and representative gathering, including fifteen Bishops, numerous clergy, and thousands of the laity. Dr Redwood, Bishop of Wellington, preached the opening sermon. Sydney, November 16. Further particulars respecting the reported massacre of the G eographical Society 's expedition show there is every reason to fear the account is true. It is allleged that the natives stole a boat belonging to the expedition, and four days latermustered their fighting men, then returned in the dead of night and surprised and killed the whole party. It is probable some action will be taken by the authorities to punish the murderers. Further details are to hand respecting the massacre of the geographical expedition. It is stated that Captain Everell, leader of the expedition, having reason to believe that the native chief Carossa, who was piloting the boats up the Fly River, was misleading them, threw him overboard, whereupon Carossa, in order to be revenged, stole a boat, obtained a number of fighting men, and returned at night and massacred the party. Several savages having been seen with new tableknives in their possession supposed to belong to the expedition, coupled with the fact that Captain Evorell failed to keep his appointment with Mr Macfarlane, point to the truth of the reports previously received. Sydnb", November 18.— The New South Wales Parliament assembled yesterday, The newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly having been sworn in by the Speaker, the Hon. Edward Barton, the House adjourned. The Opposition members are in a majority, but the course of action they will adopt has not transpired. Sir Henry Parkea took the opportunity this afternoon to renouuee his claims to the Premiership. Cooktown, November 15. The Island schooner Ellangowan has arrived here. She brings news confirming tho reported maesacre at the Fly River of the members of the Australian Geographical Expedition. Adelaide, November 14. — An early estimate of the South Australian wheat crop gives the expected yield at from thirty to torty bushels per acre.