AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3771, 2 November 1886, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.) M'orMauanouri at the Bluff.) Melbourne, Oct. 20. •Vlderinan Stewart has declined to serve n second term as mayor, and Alderman Cain has accordingly been appointed. Some unpleasantness occurred through Alderman Benjamin, who is next on tho list, refusing m a pettish manner to stand because Mr Stewart had been asked to undertake a second term of office. Tho R.M.S. Tasmania arrived last night. She encountered unusually severe weather between Adelaide and Melbourne, and was obliged to shelter m Nepean Bay for 8 hours. Racing is now tho all-absorbing topic of conversation, and the annual influx of visitors i 3 beginning to ba visible. The Governors of New South Wales and South Australia will be guests of Governor Loch during tho Cup week. A conference of New South Walea, Adelaide, and Victoria, on the subjec of the proposed federal mail service will be held here next month. Judging from /? tvr E 3 *? . h ™?< ™ c amount subscribed for Hospital Saturday and Sunday this year will be about a thousand below last year. Inclwment weather affected the attendance at tho churches and out-door performances for that object. Viscount Deerhur3t, eldest son of the Earl of Coventry, arrived by the steamer Tasmania from England, to occupy the position of aide-de-camp to Sir Henry Loch. Oct. 27. No horse has been doing better work atFlemington thnnTrenton, whose chance of winning tho Melbourne Cup, at tho time of writing, can't be considered indifferent. Since his breakdown at the Sydney Metropolitan Meeting, the son of Musket has improved m a wonderful degree, and is to be steered by Alick Robertson, who rode him m the Cup last year. Not a few have pinned their faith to the only New Zealand horse likely to take part m the coming struggle. Thoso who have backed him may rest certain of having a good run for their money, and his victory would bo popular here. Great disappointment is felt at the absence of Nelson from the contest. He was backed freely when tho weights appeared by the public, and had ho como over and been well on tho day, Major George's black and white would have been well supported. Adelaide, Oct. 27. The rush to Teehilpoi3 subsiding, and a number of men are returning to Adelaide daily dissatisfied with the field, but these are mostly men who are unfitted for prospecting life, and who had no outfit to enable them to prosecute the iudustry m a thorough manner. Many men of mining experience are staying to prospect thoroughly, and the idea prevails that it will prove a good reefing country. Fourteen samples of gold were washed at the Government cradle on Tuesday. Three were not payable, but over eleven gave results varying from half an ounce to -one and a half ounces per ton. Everything poiuts to the conclusion, however, that the surface gold i 3 pretty well exhausted, and minera should be very careful to obtain fuller information before joining the rush. Tho Premier visited the field last week and inspected tho washing. He states that the diggings are worth a trial, but it was useless for inexperienced men to proceed there. Firewood is very scarce, and water has to lie carried a milu and a-half for cooking purposes. Experienced miners concur m stating that the number of men on the field is more than the claims can support, and a reaction is feared. The route from Adelaide to the diggings is by train to Teerowie on tho line to Silverton ; thence by the contractors line toJMannahill, which is within 25 miles from tlio diggings. At Mannahill there is a large hotel capable of accommodating 50 people. The railway fare from Adelaide to Mannahill, about 24 miles, is 365. Sydney, Oct. 20. Serious irregularities have been discovered m the City Engineer's office, and that official has been suspended by the council. A very strong feeling is exhibited, and somo councillors advocated the discharge of tho while municipal Btaff. A large meeting has been held m the city and suburbs. Resolutions were passed condemning the Government, and advocating a dissolution. It i 3 reported that Government intend to attempt to raise the ad 'valorem duties to 5 per cent m some cases. Parliament was prorogued on Monday by Lord Carington. It is stated that he objected to the wording of the Speech prepared for him by Ministers, and sent it back several times for revision, till it suited his views. The unemployed have been making demonstrations, and Government promised to provide food for those who were absolutely m want, and would take steps to provide work for all, Brisbane. Captain Jenkyll, Governor of Brisbane Gaol, who was suapendod by the Queensland Government consequent on his being fined at the police court for horse-whip-ping a Mr Bernard, for illegal slander on Mrs Jenkyll, has been reinstated with a reprimand. Captain Jenkyll was formerly m Wellington. A boy, nine years of age, died at Townsville of alcoholic poisoning, cansed by drinking half a tumbler of raw spirits given him by his mother, who is of intemperate habits. A special train, m conveying a number of volunteers, met with a serious accident on Sunday, through the engine leaving the rails. Several men sustained nasty cuts. The cngino-driver and stoker bad a miraculous escape. Rabbitg have been found near Thargomourdan, o n tho Queensland border, and the circumstance is viewed with some alarm m pastoraV circles.