AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5143, 27 October 1884, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Press Association.] (Per s.B. Hauroto, via. Wellington.) NEW GUINEA. BUILDING ACTIVITY IN SYDNEY. A DISGRACEFUL SCENE. Sydney, Oct. 21. Since the arrival of the telegram, there has been great activity amongst the squadron, but very little information can be gleaned as to their movements. The Espiegle left on Sunday for New Guinea, and the Harrier, Parsee, and Avenger have left Brisbane for the same destination. Nothing positive is known aa to the whereabouts of the German warship Elizabeth. The Premier continues to improve in health. It is expected that the Parliamentary session will be concluded this month. In the matter of the foundering of the steamer Madgus, the Marine Board find that no blame attached to the master. The Rev George Campbell ha 3 been elected Chairman of the Congregational Union. Tenders are invited for a new theatre at the corner of Pitt and Market streets, to be erected by Messrs Rignold and Allison. A large amount of building is going on now in all parts of the city and suburbs. Melbourne. The attendance at Caulfield on Saturday was larger than on any previous occasion. Backers came off very badly, and many enquiries were made at settling. An explosion of nitro-glycerine occurred at the Australian lithofracteur works, seven miles from Footscray. One man was seriously injured. It is a cause of great thankfulness that the 50 workpeople employed in the place were not all more or less injured. Much of the premises was wrecked. A disgraceful scene was enacted by the Secularists, led by Joseph Symes, who invaded a meeting of the Lord's Day Observance Society, and took possession of the place themselves. Broughton is to be released from the Lunatic Asylum, and sent to England in charge of hia brother. (Per s.s. Tarawera via the Bluff.) COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. AN OCEAN DOCK. THE SPONGE AN ANIMAL. Melbourne, Oct. 21. Sir Henry and Lady Loch paid a visit io Warrnambool. The whole Western District was en fite and the journey was a great success. It is intended to hold a great naval military demonstratipn of the Victorian forces on Nov. 10. Mr Justice Williams has made an oi-cler allowing the removal of Mr Del vis Broughton, Master of the Melbourne Mint, from the Cremorne private asylum, where h<_* is now confined, to England. Brisbane. The libel action brought by Mr Hodgkinson, Warden of the Palmer Goldfields, against Mr Miles, Minister for Works, claiming .£IO,OOO damages, haß been withdrawn, each paying his own costs. Four thousand five hundred and sixtyeight tons of sugar have been exported from Queensland since the commenceme .t of this season. Mr Chester, the Police Magistrate of Thursday Island, has been instructed to represent Queensland at the ceremony of proclaiming a British protectorate over New Guinea. The captain and officers of the labour schooner Hopeful have been committed for trial for kidnapping. The second mate and boatswain, charged with the murder of two natives, also stand committed. Adelaide. Dr Haacke has tendered his resignation as Director of the PubUc Museum. News from Barrow's Creek stafes that the Natives are very troublesome, and are assembling in large bodies near tlie station. The Ocean Docks scheme is being proceeded with. It is expected that the necessary accommodation for ocean steamers will be ready in eighteen months. The South Australian Institute of Surveyors has applied to Government that in surveyors' licenses other Colonies may be accepted in South Australia, conditionally oh those Colonies reciprocating the arrangement. The steam yacht Cashie Doo has been exploring Cambridge Gulf, and has found plenty of good country. Sydney. The new theatre which is being put up by Rignold and Allison is to be completed under 12 months. The steamer Madjus, wrecked off Port Macquarrie, has completely broken up. There is no chance of saving anything. Dr Von Lendenfeld, of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, has succeeded in discovering the nervous system of the sponges, thereby proving their animal nature beyond doubt. H.M.S. Harrier has left for Cooktown with Deputy-Commissioner Romilly. The Espiegle and Nleson are preparing to go to New Guinea.

The change of name which has been recently effected in the Hibernian Catholic Benefit Society from New Zealand to Australasian has been agreed to by the Melbourne E.D. This change is already producing good results, as on last week several candidates were nominated for membership to St Joseph's Branch. The report of the special meeting and balancesheet of the E.D. were laid before the meeting.