AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3226, 28 January 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.) (Per s.s. Te Anau at Auckland.) Sidnkt, Jan. 22. Ministers have been attending banquets m the country. So far their utterances have had no political significance. It has been announced that it is intended bo introduce a Municipal Act early next session. Tho Governor is likely to leave the colony n July or August. A welcome rain has fallen over nearly >very part of the country. A tender has been accepted for a cable ramway to the North Shore for £35,500. The Government find some difficulty m >btaining a auiUble residence for the Admiral| ffho arrived yostorday.

The Tnmnr, with the relieved crews of the Australian station, will probably leave early next week. Mr Charles Bright is relinquishing the lecture platform, and rejoins the Press on the staff of the Daily Telegraph and Tribune. No fresh cases of smallpox have been reported. Tho Wealth and Industrial Exhibition lately held under the auspices of the Protection League, has not been a financial success. The oldest resident of Richmond has died at the nge of 98. All tho scullers are m active training on the Paratnntta. A critic who recently witnessed Clifford's performance says it is a pound to a postage stamp on Hanlan. Beach seems to be doing good work, but Hanlan ha 3 settled fairly down to business, and will be very difficult to beat. Another fire at Newcastle destroyed property valued at £3000. Advices from New Guinea state a protectorate has been proclaimed at other points than those visited by Commodore Erskine. Hobaex. At an entertainment given to tho Australian visitors, Mr Douglas, the Premier, m responding to a toast, said Tasmania had been ever ready to aid the cause of federation. That cause had been opposed, bufc Tasmanians, m common with other Australians, would make it known they would maintain their rights. They had not deserved the treatment they had received. They were as strong as the United States were when they first declared tlieir independence, and independent for sheer love of the Old Country.