West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 220, 2 June 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1866.

We have Melbourne news ,by the " Gothenburg" to the 26th May, four days later than were acknowledged yesterday by the " Star of tho Evening." The political position in Victoria is very clearly put in the "Argus," in its summary for Europe. It appears that notwithstanding the "reconciliation" of the two houses, and the passage by the Council of tho new tariff, the two branches of tho Legislature are again nt variance. The practical legislation of tho session has been brought to a closo ; but the passing of tho Appropiiation Act is delayed by the Upper House until it. shall receive further information as to the course the Ministry propose to take as regards the unsatisfied judgments of the Supreme Court in the tariff actions, and as to the collection of the bonds and outstanding duties payable by the tea, sugar, and opium importers. These judgments were obtained inpnths ago on actions brought for v the recovery of Customs' duties illegally collected. In one celebrated case, that of Ecroyd & Co., no appeal to tho Privy Council was reserved as was done in many of tho others brought before tho Courts. But the Government have refused to pay the damages and costs ■ awarded. Since the recall of Sir Charles Darling, the Acting Governor has been applied to for his issue of the usual warrants on the Treasury ; but General Carey has referred the question to his law advisers, and the Legislative Council refuse to advance the Appropriation Bill beyond its second reading, the stage it has at present reached, until their answers have been received. If these aro adverse to tho issue of the warrants, the House has resolved to memorialise His Excellency to take tho necessary steps, independent of advice, to secure to the judgment creditors of the Crown the payment of their claims. The uituation is furthor complicated by the determination of the Council to insist on the payment by importers of uncollected duties on tea, sugar, and opium — amounting to 6omo L 30,000 — the difference between the duties leviable under the old tariff and the one which has only recently become law. It will be seen, therefore, that tho political crisis has only passed into

a now— although it may bo admitted to be a milder — phase. The trial of Dr. Beaney has occupied the Supreme Court for eight days, and tho case for tho defence was expected to extend over several more days. Tho hypothesis of the prosecution is that the deceased, Mary Lewis, died from the " effects of an oporation made to secure abortion." "Of course (says tho ' Argus') the medical details aro of a most intricato kind, and the defence is more or less, that tho appearances on whioh the Crown rely aa proof of pregnancy were only the developments of siwplo disease. Every medical mau of mark here has been, or is to be, called upon to give evidence." Tho remaining- Victorian news is not of any S| ecial importance, and the other intercolonial intelligence will be found under the head of telegrams.