MELBOURNE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2120, 20 October 1875, Page 3

MELBOURNE.

October 13. After a long and dreary debate, extending over four weeks, tho division on the Yrant-of-confidence motion was taken at an early hour last Thursday morning. There was a full muster of members, and an anxious public filled the gallery. Mr Casey's amendment having reference to v the land tax was put first, and negatived by 39 to 35. The Government seeing this, wanted to go no further, but the Opposition "demanded that Mr McCulloeh's amendment, condemning the finance proposal, should likewise be put, and the Government were forced to give way, although with very bad grace, and Sir James's amendment was then carried by 39 to 34, showing a majority were against the Government. An adjournment then took place to the following, Tuesday to give time to Ministers to consider the position, in reality to advise a dissolution; and in the meanwhile the country was stirred up by lljtfsterial agents and meetings ~*&ei4 in sffpport of the Government, and urging a dissolution. Yesterday deputations from all parts of the country came to town with petitions, which they presented to the Acting-.Governor, and when the House met in the afternoon his reply to the Ministers *was read, refusing the dissolution. This was not altogether unexpected inasmuch as his Excellency had previously refused the Kerford Ministry, and as he stated in his reply, the circumstances are similar, and no reason has been given to justify'a change of opinion since then. Ministers having only just received the document asked for a further adjournment until to-day. Eutnours have it that they intend to retain their seats at all hazards, and not resign, but it is more than likely, that they will find discretion the better part of valor. The Pearl has arrived from Sydney with Mrs Goqdenough. She leaves to-day for England by the Durham. Scarlet fever has appeared in a malignant form in somu of.the suburbs, and several deaths of children occurred. A telegram has been received that the Bank 6f California resumed payment. The v steamer St. Osyth reached St. Vincent's 1 on September 29tb. Page pleaded guilty to the murder of Mary Buchauan at Mount Gambler, and was sentenced to death. On the second day out of the Bingarooma from New Zealand, a cabin passenger named Watkins died from natural causes. -: The quarter's revenue amounted to £994818 i being a decline of £11,027 on the quarter," and an increase of £"51,651 on the year. Mt'A. C. Smith was elected Mayor of Melbourne without opposition. A private London telegram states that Lord Dunmore's herd of shorthorns, consisting of forty head, were sold at an average of ,670 guineas, and the Hon. W. Torres' at an average of 509 guineas. i Morton, of Mount Derrimut, has determined to remain in England, and his celebrated shorthorn herd is to be sold at the encl of February. The Exhibition continues to attract, and the daily average of visitors is well kept up. Captain JPorstor, of the steamer DaridenOtig, was killed while superintending the. hoisting of the screw during the docking of the steamer. The convict Howard, perpetrator of the Franks ton murders, was executed on the 4th. He died firmly, admitting the justice of his sentence. Madame Ristori, having concluded a season is now playing in Sydney. The refusal to license the Town Hall for her dramatic performances caused some dissatisfaction. lima de Murska ia again with us, and is as charming as ever. A testimonial of 350 guineas was prepresented to Captain Saunders, one of the oldest intercolonial shipmasters. He is proceeding to England. Great preparations are making for the Hospital Saturday and Sunday, on 1 the 16th end 17th of this month. The New Zealand cable has been shipped "aboard the Edinburgh and Hibernia steamers, leaving London about the end of the month. William .Enderson, a jockey, was remanded to New Zealand, ori a charge of robbery.. The chief Secretary reconsidered his decision, and agreed tQ lipen.se fte Town. Hall fov Eistori. Interesting information has been received from Sydney by telegraph in reference to the exploration, of New Guinea. The missionary steamer Ellvargower and the Chevert proceeded to different portions of the Island. A splendid river was ascended by the missionary party, on the southwest coast. The mouth of the river was a mile and a half wide, and they proceeded up a distance of ninety miles. They only saw one native, in a canoe, and lie Treat off into the country. It is described as iiios't magnificent as they proceeded, but the land is mostly low and swampy, and covered with mangrove. They found plantain's, palms, cocoanuts, and tobacco. \ The^f^BO found a reptile about 15 feet long, and inside it a large male kangaraa 3 th.e.y also filled- a large biyd, measuring 1 |Q, feetjTrQm wing to wing. The Cheverfe party went to Kuiti rive? and Mohatta village, and there made a short exploration into the -interior, but having no permission from the chiefs to pass through their territory, they turned b^ok- ip. $void conflict. McLeaj discourages any" se.t\lenient of" Europeans p.n .account of the. climato the hostility of tho natives, and. want of labour, which would be felt. He thinks the exploration could only be properly undertaken by tho Imperial Government. SYDNEY. . October 13. Parliament meets for the despatch of business on th^ IC^h November," Sir J)§uiei' Oowperj Agent General, is not likely to resume duties. The quarter's revenue shows a decrease of £125,000, a fourth of which is owing to the expiration of the Stamp Act. A public meeting gassed, a yesolu, tion in favour. p,f \\\p. local ''manufacture of rolMjig'siioclf for railway and iron work for bridges. The Eev. Mr Selwyn of Melanesia has arrived jn the mission schooner with a number of converts. The dispute betvveen lightermen, merchants, and stevedores continues. , News from Cooktown is very encouragiug. Plenty of gold is coming in, and th?. reefs looking weJL ' . ' $iHiri£sts is brisker