AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3212, 24 July 1878, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Per s.s. City of Sydney via Auckland.) Sxdney, July 18. Tho money received in tho New South Wales Treasury lor the six months ending June, including balance brought forward amounted to £7,752,740 ; paid out, .£3,830,419. Mrs Seott-Siddons received from her Sydney .admirers a testimonial accompanied by a massiA-e gold chain and locket, set A^ifch a spray of diamonds. Mr Berry, in introducing the Constitutional "Reform Bill, said that Government proposod to deal Avith the question by resolution, and .then obtaining an Imperial resolution, but during tlie recess it was deemed expedient to proceed by Bill. It Avas assumed that the Tlouse of Commons intended to confer on the Colony pure responsible Government, on the .model of tho British constitution. If this were carried out a dead lock would not have occurred, nor the rights and privileges of tho Assembly been invaded. It was proposed

that Bills should be divided into two classesmoney Bills imposing taxes and imprests, and other Bills. In respect to money Bills, the functions of the Council would be limited to passing only, aud if not dealt with within one month the Bill would bo taken to have passed. In regard to other Bills of ordinary and general legislation, if passed by two consecutive sessions of Parliament and rejected by the Council, the Bills would ho taken as passed, unless a majority of tlie Council demanded a poll, so that the country should be made the final arbitrator. He paid that Government hnd little hopes of passing the Bill, and foresaw the necessity of appealing to the Imperial Parliament. Leave wa-* _,iven to introduce in the Legislative Council on the same day. Dr Dodson gave notice of motion to abolish the 56fch clause of tlie Constitution, giving the Assembly only power to initiate money Bills and the Council power to amend. Replying to a deputation Sir A. Gordon said that the British Government did not recognise the right Kakobau had to give lands to private persons. Each case of purchase of lands from a company would be dealt with on its merits. Capt. Steele and Thos.Hewlands, carpenter, havo b?en arrested on the charge of wilfully casting away the ship Leotajar. Downic, the victim of a stabbing case, is dead. Bhisiune. Two small vessels are leaving for New Guinea. Owing to tho failure of tho Coon river goldfields many diggers are going. Melbourne. Malcolm M'Leod has been arrested on a charge of manslaughter of his wife. Victoria will not for the present join the international postal union. Adelaide. V The Reform Bill has been read a first, time. Flour, £10 15s to £11 12s ; Wheat, ss. \ John Jack in the passenger list is not the actor of that, name.