AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2746, 12 July 1883, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tblbgeaph.] (Per s.e. Rotomahnna at Bluff.) Melbourne, June 26. The Shop) Commission has dratted a aolieme for the establishment of Courts of Conciliation for tho settlement of trade disputes, to be oomposed of an equal number of employers and omployces. Tho girl Catherine Griffin him brought up again at tlie Brighton Polioe Court on ft charge of forgery. The case urose from a begging letter by which friends of Profe6sor McCoy were victimised. The Conference of Australasian Marine Underwriters has concluded. Tho visitora were entertained nt a dinner. A large number of important subjects were discussed. It wue agreod that the Conference should meet each year m one of the principal cities of the Australasian colonies. The Argus has dispatched Captain William B. Artnit to explore New Guinea. Mrs Hampeon'a mission has beon very well attended, hundreds being turned away from tho Town Hall nightly, unable to obtain admission. Tho Hob. 0. H. Bromby announoed a lecture on the Irish Question m the Town Hall, but when the Mayor heard tho naturo of the lecture, lie cancellort the engugemant of the Hall and forbade iho lecture. It was rumored. Mr Hedmond would apeak. Mr Bromby, however, disclaims any connection with Mr Redmond and threatens the Corporation with an action for broach of contract m refusing the use of the Hall. Stdnkx. The Insuraneo Companies have decided to disband their fire brigade at tho end of the year, owing to the abi-ence of legalised control neutralising its efficiency. The slander case, Davies T. Harris, is proceeding The case arose out of a dispute relative to hiring the steamer Coonanbarra. Mr Edward Aloxandor Rennie has been appointed Auditor-General, m place of Mr Christopher Rollcßton, C.M.G. A man aecoßted a Bentry on duty at Paddington Barracks, drew a revolver and fired, hitting the sentry m the leg. He then entered Iho guard-room, firing promiscuously, but fortunately hit uo otic, although there were several narrow escap?s. Ho is reported to be a man named Wro. Hunter, Buffering from religious mania. The Committee appointed to secure the election of a Bishop of Sydney are m daily expectation of a communication from England on the subject. A man named William Houlihan fell from a train and was instantly killed. Adulaidk. News has been received from all quarters of the destructive nnture-of floods last week. A portion of the Holdfast Bay railway has been washed away for a considerable distance. From many ports of the country, news comos of bridges washed away, and property destroyed. Tbe Examinerg for the Elder Boholarship at tho Royal College of Mueic, awarded it to Fiaoher of Melbourne. The Governor congratulated Herr Fischer, and promised him lettert of introduction to the prinoipal musicians of Europe. (Per a.a. Wakatipu at Wellington ) Sydnbt, June 29. The civil sittings of the Supreme Court have been unusually interesting and lengthened. The Herald proprietors have resolved to seek a new trial m Anderson v. Fairjoy. A rule nhi was granted for a new trial m Mason v. Watson, m whioh the late Colonial Treasurer is prominently concerned. When this matter wna before the Court, tho Judgo said he thought it a pity that tho papers had oommented on the ciae m the way tVey had. Mr Owen, QC, who appeared for defendants, said the conduct of the newspapers was most reprehensible, and they would soon have to be suppresied if tjey weDt on as tbey were doing. In tho (lander case Davies v. Harris, some startling evidence has been elicited, and a great deal of personal aorimony shown. Dimes admitted m ovidence having received a present of a diamond ring and gold nlbert chain from the contractor for refreshments at the late exhibition. From the prominent poeition held by both parties the case excites nnusual interest. The law recently passed for indicting the punishment of whipping on larrikins cornea into operation next week. A local self-government league has been formed, with a view of securing a healthier and more self-reliant feeling. Tbe Chamber of Oommeroe has urged on tha Government the desirability of imposing uniform wharfage rates at all ports, as at some

purls (ho wharfage rates bad be?n abolnhed. Tho Tronaurer admitted the reasonableness of the request. The charges of heresy ngain»t the Rev. Mr O»borne, of the York Street Weeliyan Church, hare fallen through. Mr Twopeny has received no encouragement for his exhibition scheme m this colony. He leaves by the Munapouri next week. It has been resolved to commenco tho erection of new buildings for the public library at the lop of King Btreet. Splendid fine, clear weather is being experienced here. John Gardyno, sged 29, lal o a partner m the firm of Holdsworth and Qardyne, ironmongers, committed suicide yesterday by shooting bimself. BEI3BANE. Captain Armit, the Argus special, and Mr B. Hurrison, the Age special, have both left Oooktown for Now Guinea. The debato on Ihe Tranecontinental Hailway Bill will commence on 'I'uesday. Koropuka, a New Guinea chief m the Aroma district, together with eeferal of hie followers, ore now visiting Cooktown. Mblboueke. A fire m the Commercial Free Store caused damages estimated at £2COO, covered by insurance Phylloxera ie now confined to an area of 83 acres. The National Agricultural Society is desirous of having a conference of stock inspectors of tho various colonies with the object of assimilating the various quarantine regulations. The I Minister of Agriculture thought it would not I prove effective, and suggested tbat a better way would be to press the other colonies to prohibit tho importation of stock altogether. It is probable that far rugged couutry, such as Oippaland, substantial horse or steam tramways will be proposed. A number of serious charges havo been preferred against an officer holding a responsible position m the Railway Department. (Per To b.s. ADauat tbe Bluff.) MELBor/BNB, July 4. An action has been hoard, Sir Charles Maemahon v. Berris, to recover £250 due m flmres m the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, New Zealand. Berris was sent to New Zealand to report on the prospects of tbe Company. He stated the Bhares had been given him. A verdict was returnod for the defendant. Henry Winter, an insolvent known aa " The Corn Doctor," has been remanded from Brisbane, where he was arrested, to Melbourne. At a treeting of the Amateur Turf Club at Caulfluld on Saturday,tho Ladies' Bracelot was won by Tlie Ghost. The Victorian Football Association banded cheques for £140 to Melbourne cliarilies. The case ngaintt Catherine Griffin for obtaining money by representing herself as one McCoy has advanced another stage. Griffin wbb brought up at Brighton on Thursday before a Bench of eight magistrates, who by a majority of five decided to dismiss the case; but Mr Alley, Polijo Magistrate, refused to concur, and committed the girl for trial on his own responsibility. The case has cauaed a gootl deal of comment. A trial of Rowan's steam car has been made with satisfactory reeulte. The car took thirty tonß up an incline of one m forty over fifteen miles. The Americin chip Chrysolite, from Belfast harbor, suffered considerable damage during bad wealhor, The Governor opened Parliament on Tueßday. In his speech ho stated the movement for the annexation of New Guinea to the British Crown, initiated by Qucemland bad been cordially supported by bis Adrisere, who were also impressed with the importance of securing the islands between New Guinea and Fiji. At the Intercolonial Conference held m Sydney, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia agreed to apply for admission to the Postal Union on conditions which ehall secure to the Colonies adequate representation and strengthen the hands of the Mother Country. The recent connection of tho railway at Albury afforded an opporlunity for the expreasio-i of views on federation. The subject had assumed such importance as to command tho earnest attention of all interested m the welfare and development of the Colonies. Negotiations would be opened with the other colonies, with » view of ascertaining the extent to which federation was practicable. This Government recognised the necessity for placing the defences of the colony on an efficient footing, and tho works were being pushed forward. The torpedo boata wore approaching completion. Tho necessity for the abolition of political patronage had led to the preparation of Bills for the future management of railways, for the proper selection, appointment, promotion and control of all persons m the publio employ. Bills would also be introduced for tbe establishment of irrigation trusts, and for supplying agricultural land with water. It was proposed to establish a militia and obtain an efficient naval military instructor. Amongst other measures proposed wero ßills providing for the suppression of the rabbit pest, for an increase m the number of his responsible Ministers, and for the conservation of forests. The Speech concludos by offering cangratulations on the flourishing condition of the country. Sydney. Dright, a stonemason, who was run over by a Btcam motor, has been awarded £1500 compensation. The Chief Justice stated emphatically that the running of steam trams was illegal at the timo the accident occurred. Mr Buchnn, Police Magistrate, has been seriously ill, but is now able to resume his duties. The jury, m Ihe case of Daties versus Harris, returned a verdict for the plaintiff with damages of one farthing. Davies, who is a CM. (jr., m cross-examination made four attempts to spell the word January, and each timo failed. A daring case of highway robbory, followed by the clever ojpture of the thieve?, occurred ou Saturday. Topham, Angus, and Smith, contractors, were driving near the Nepean Tower, when two masked men stuck up the buggy, presented revolvers, and took Topham and the groom and bound them, blindfolded, to a tree. They cleared out with £1600, which Topham had to pay men on ihe wa'erworks contract. Topham succaeded m freeing himself and the groom and gave information tn the police, who arrested the raeu m a tram the same evening with the wholoof the money m their possession. Both were oommitted for trill. At a meoting of the Presbytery on Thursday, the Hey. Mr Wilson called attention t> the action of the Rev. Mr Strong, as regards the Sunday question. An animated debate ensued, the Press being excluded. Ultimately a motion regretting the stand taken by Mr Strong was adopted.