AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3352, 6 January 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

[SPECIAL TO TnE STAE.] Per Wakatipu. SYDNEY. Dec. 31. There is a complete lull in political affairs in consequence of the change of Ministry. All the members of the Parkes administration are seeking re-election with the exception of Mr Windyer, the Attorney-General, who was returned unopposed for the Sydney University on Saturday last. A person named Aaron Wheeler has nominated and seconded himself in opposition to Sir Henry Parkes for the Canterbury electorate. His candidature is regarded as a farce. Sir H. Parkes has delivered a long speech, containing, however, no momentous pledges. He condemned the existing system of land alienation, but promised merely to amend the details by an enactment under which the extent of improvement required from selectors will be reduced from £1 to 103. He undertook to rapidly construct railway extensions into the heart of the city. With regard to the Chinese he promised restrictive legislation, but spoke in vague and guarded terms. It is stated that Mr Watson, the new Treasurer, will be opposed by Mr M'Lean, the Chairman of the Political Eeform League. Mr Watson, is regarded as a supporter of the A.S.N. Company, with regard to tho introduction of Chinese. A monster anti-Chese meeting was held on Saturday at Hyde Park, over 10,000 persons being present. After hearing the addresses, the people marched in an orderly manner through the city. At the Herald oiHce they groaned for tho establishment, consequent on the support it has given to the A.S.N. Company. In consequence of the obstruction created by a few members when the Assemby, before its adjournment, was asked to vote supply, in- i eluding an item towards the expenses of tho International Exhibition in Sydney, no practical progress is yet made. The necessity for < the proceedings is now acknowledged on all hands, and the Government are understood to be determined to push the affair vigorously. Meanwhile they, have appointed a commission of influential gentlemen to carry out the project. The Governor is president ; the Chief Justice, Sir A. Stephens ; Sir John Hay ; ami Sir Geo. W. Allen are vice presidents. " Tho series of lectures and the counterlectures provoked by the ex-priest Chiniquy's charges against the Catholic clergy, although abated, are not at an end. Mrs Dillon, a convert from Catholicism, who recently lectured in support of Chiniquy's ■iatements about the confessional, again lectured last night in connection with the seamen's strike. A very sensational statement recently appeared in the Sydney daily papers to the effect that an attempt had been made to assassinate, the officers of the JWotonga by shooting them from the shore as they walked the deck of the steamer, which, with most of the A.S.N. Co.'s boats is laid up at their moorings. It turns out now that the incident was purely accidental. A bushman just come to town went to the Water Side Hotel where he was staying to discharge his revolver. The first shot or two he sent the bullets near the steamer, and noticing this, he discharged the remaining chambers at a rock. One of the bullets paseel close to the head of the captain of the Wotonga, so that this alarm was not unjustifiable considering the state of public feeling with reference to the A.S.N. Co. just now. Breadstuffa are a little more plentiful, owing to the recent arrivals. 4CO tons arrived from Port Pirie yesterday, and small shipments are being steadily forwarded from Melbourne. Best brands of Adelaide flour are still worth up to £13 103 for bakers' qiumtities. Lumber is very dull.