AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 1235, 4 September 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Albion at the Bluff.) Melbourne, Aug. 28. The Reform Bill debate is over, but how long it will take to get it through Committee it is impossible to say, as a large number of amendments have been moved from both sides of the House. The Government are anxious to closo the session m October, but there appears little chance of that, as m addition to the Reform Bill there is the Loan Bill, the railway construction, Budget, Estimates, besides other measures of general legislation to be dealt with. Mr Berry is anxious to get the session over, that he may take a trip to England as the principal Commissioner m charge of the Reform Bill. The election of Dr W. E. Hearn, Dean ! of the Faculty of Law, to a seat m the Legislative Council for the Central Province, was a great triumph. The Central Province contains ten thousand voters, or one-third of the whole voting power of the Council constituents, and the large majority secured by Dr Hearn was a strong expre3sion of opinion of the Upper House constituency against the Government Reform Measure and the plebiscitism, as Dr Hearn was considered an extreme man, while his opponent, Mr Robert Byrne, professed moderate views. Moreover, he secured the Catholic vote. The votes recorded were Hearn 3995, . Byrne 1723. The Stevensons' prosecution for conspiracy has resulted m the jury disagreeing, and the defendants have been bound over to appear when called on, but it is not likely that the Government will risk another prosecution, as m the present instance, the disagreement of the jury was only caused by the obstinate men who wished to convict Stevenson at any cost, while they were quite prepared to discharge the other defendants. The numbers were ten to two, the majority being for acquittal. The Judge, m summing up the evidence, was very rough on Stevenson, and somewhat severe on the practices of merchants m general.

But notwithstanding the unfavorableness j ; of the Judge's charge, and the strong j • desire of the Crown and the great Liberal | party to secure a conviction, the majority of th<3 jury took a different view, and really the case for the Crown was a very weak one. It absolutely proved nothing. There is &"fa*a.t danger of the Cable Duplication rit L Nations falling through. The Director?' m London decline to accept; all the conditions imposed, and specially those m refprence to the Press Combination. If the combinations are not permitted unrestricted, the principal newspapers who now pay large sums annually to the Cable Company, would not avail themselves of the proposed reduction, preferring rather to remain as at pi-esent and pay the full rate. In this caso the Government would not grant a subsidy, as no reciprocal benefit would be obtained except a duplicate cable, which, just now, 13 not an absolute necessity. Colonel Glover leaves for England next month, going by way of Port Darwin, and perhaps something may be done on his arrival m England. The Hon. W. J. Clarke has been appointed President of the International Exhibition Commission to be held m Melbourne m 1880. At the annual show of the Australian Sheep Breeders Association now being held, some magnificent sheep are bein^ exhibited, which are said to be the finest ever seen m Australia. 20 pure merinos from the flock of E. W. Pitts, the Levels, South Australia, realised £1681. Out of the 14 Lincolns, of Mr McLean, of Auckland, only one was sold, and that at 30 guineas. We have at last heard the last of the Potts' infant case. The woman Fitzgibbon pleaded guilty to stealing the child, and has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment, some portion of which is to be spent m solitude. The Pearce testimonial, which amounted m all to £1000, has been presented, and Pearce, after having been well lionised, has departed. The Lands Commission has been enquiring into a charge of dummyism against A. C. Allan ; Assistant Surveyor-General, and found the charges against him proved. What the result may be is yet uncertain, but it is probable that Allan will ask for the case to bo heard by an impartial Board, as he cau do under the Civil Service Act. For the last few days the weather has been uncomfortably warm, as though summer had come upon us all at once. Business' £till continues very dull, but as spring advances it is expected to be brisker. Betting on the Cup is dull, principally owing to the absencej of the members of the ring m Sydney. In another month, when the horses commence training at Fletnington, there will be more doing. Very little is doing m amusements. The Ringarooma is announced to sail direct to Wellington on September 16th. The Assam, with the English mail, will probably reach here on the 11th. The second reading of the Reform Bill was carried la3t night by a majority of 59 to 22. Mr Service moved the amendment affirming desirability of reform, and expressing the opinion that it should be dealt with by a select committee. This course being adopted, it showed the Opposition were not against a measure of reform, but opposed to the Government proposition. There was a full House, 82 Members being present when the division was taken. A collision at the Government railway terminus yesterday resulted m doing damage to some trucks of the goods train. One passenger m another train was slightly bruised. Heavy rain fell yesterday and last night.