AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2033, 29 March 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Bx Tklbgbaph. i (Per Turimia at the Bluff.) MELBOtiBNB, March 22. QoTernmcnt oro determined to pueli on tho Reform Bill, and talo a diriEion probablj today. A numbrr of oilier important measures are undisposed of, including Hurbor Tru»t, Municipal Endowments, and Naval Vote Bills. The representations to the Homo Government by tho recent Intercolonial Conference praying for increased British influence m Polynesia, included newspaper arlioles m which the names of Sir A. Gordon and Comraodoro Wilson wero included. Both bare taken serious offence m consequence, nnd bare nddressed"llie Imperial Government on tho subject. A vigorous canvass was made by both of tho candidateo for Maldun up till Friday, polling dny. Mr Mclntyre's friends wero most eiinpuino of success, and the result has justified their anticipations, he having been returned by 629 ngninst 405. Tho works for tbo improvement of tho Tun Yean water are rapidly proceeding. Wliittlcsea common is being feuced m, and experiments with lima nro being tried at the Hjistcrn Hill tank. M. Rainpent, the eminent French engineer, who vi?it«l the reservoir on Siturday with Baron Mueller and others, stales ho ciin purify the water effectually ia a short time. Government havo ordend plans and fpeciflcntiom for tho new Princoa Bridge forthwith. 'Xho cost is £90,000. SrDXBr. The City Surveyor hns reported that the Town Hall contractors have been overpaid £2300. Reports from Wilennnia nre Tory dia» cournging. Numbers aro returning, and it is e tiled more police protection is required at the place. Jjuycaek will li'ivo a public reception on liia nrriful. £350 bus already b.'ea received, and more money is coming m. AbelaidK. A deputation from the Chamber of Manufactures and Agricultural Societies suggested to the Chief Secretary that licenses should be granted by the Board of Health for fl-it steeping operations, with a viow to encourage tho tnidc. Air MuDii promised to obtain a report from n Board. Jho Gazette (lies the aouiinutions for the new Assembly on tbo 4l'i, and tho elections on tho Blb, llth, and 20th .April. Government will probably remit tho duly on phosphorous, m consequence of the quantity used for the destruction of rabbits.

Adelaide imports for last year were £5,581,000, showing an increasn of £567,000, and thr exports £5,574,000, being an increase of £811,000. Professor Pepper has mada an assignment of his estate.