MELBOURNE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2110, 8 October 1875, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

October 2. The no-confidence debate was extended over three weeks, and is still unfinished. Both sides claim a prospective victory, but at present it inclines slightly to the Opposition ; in the meantime meetings in support of the Government are being held, with more or less success all over the country, and every effort is being made to turn tbo tide of popular opinion in their favor. Sir James McCulloch is ready to respond to the call of duty and take office when the time arrives- The 20 per cent, duties are to ren:ain untouched, but a number of other harrassing Customs duties are to be abolished. A property tax and retrenchment form the basis of the new programme. Mr Casey, late Minister of Lands, who, with Service, the late Treasurer, are leagued against Sir J. McCulloch, have covertly gone over to the enemy's camp, and on Thursday night they sprang a mine by moving an amendment, the object evidently being to direct attention from the real and substantial proposition. The shot then fired just at the close of a long and weary debate, and when every one was eipecting a division, caused some

little confusion, and had the effect of prolonging the debate, but it is doubtful whether, in the end, it will not damage the Ministry. Mrs Goodenough goes home in the Northumberland. She has been conveyed round from {Sydney in the Pearl, het late husband's ship. Hospital Sunday is fixed for October 17, and Hospital Saturday, as usual, on the day previous. The City of Melbourne arrived at San Francisco on the 23rd ultimo, after a 29 I days' passage. Edward Ghinn, the Bank clerk, who stole the notes, was found guilty on his trial, and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. His father paid the de v ficiency. The Eoman Catholics throughout the colony are making strenuous efforts to procure an amendment of the Education Act so that their schools may be inspected and rated as State schools. Nearly 23 inches of rain have falle'i during the present year, being in excess of any previous year. A testimonial is being raised toEistori, who has been charming large audiences, especially in Marie Antoinette. The inquiry into the loss of the Cambridgeshire on King's Island has resulted in Captain Marshall's certificate being suspended for 12 months. There have beeu several cases of malignant scarlet fever, with the deaths of two children, at Prahrau. It is ascribed to bad drainage. The steamer Pt. Osyth left here on August 11; arrived safely at St. Vincent on the' 29th September. She reached the Cape on the 12th. Owiug to complaints about the harbour lights a general enquiry is to be instituted.