AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Western Star, Issue 278, 4 January 1879, Page 2 (Supplement)

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

The extraordinaryheat of the past few days has caused a very largely increased demand to be made upon the water supply of Melbourne, and there is evidence of the supply giving out. On Saturday week, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., the consumption in Melbourne was 12,000,000 of gallons, or, for the twelve hours, 1,000,000 gallons per hour. The average consumption during the throe hot days—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—was 15,600,000 gallons per diem. From 6 a.m. on Friday to 8 p.m. on Saturday the consumption amounted to 30,000,000 gallons. During the three days above-mentioned the average consumption was sixty-four gallons per head per day, notwithstanding that one of those days was Sunday, when all the factories are stopped. Nothing fresh has transpired in reference to the Kellys, and there appears to be every probability that the gang, having succeeded in eluding their pursuers, will continue to do so for some time to come. That they are still in the fastnesses of the ranges there can be little doubt, as it is improbable they would risk making an appearance in the open or settled country, and it ic no less certain that there are plenty of sympathisers ready to supply them with provisions in their mountain haunts, more especially as they are now provided with ample means wherewith to reward handsomely those who givo them assistance. There must bo now close on 100 troopers searching for the Kellys, and the . officers in command are evidently determined to do all they can to bring them to justice as speedily as possible. Two lads, Charles and William Kelly, aged eleven and twelve years, sons of a selector in St. Arnaud district, were accidentally drowned in Geyer’a dam, Armenian Gully, while bathing. A selector named Hendy, of Gooroc, lost all his hay yesterday by the careless use of fire in burning rubbish, after a thunderstorm on Saturday afternoon. The members of the majority were to have entertained the Chief Secretary and Professor Pearson at dinner on the 20th inst. prior to their departure for England. Writing about the change of Governors, the ‘ Sydney Evening Nows ’ observes—“ The Marquis of Normanby will bring a very largo and varied experience of public affairs to bear on his new task. As an active member of the House of Commons for many years, as Governor of Nova Scotia, Queensland, and New Zealand, his Lordship has had excellent opportunities for learning every phase of constitutional government. As a Liberal by birth and conviction, he is well fitted to sympathise with Victorian aspirations, without being chained to the car of the bastard liberalism of Victoria. If New Zealand loses a noble of high rank she gains an administrator with a reputation for good judgment and high character. Sir Hercules will leave this colony with the esteem of every politician of eminence; not because he has never made mistakes, but because he has exhibited a keen sense of honor in his political transactions. Objections have been taken to his action in certain crises, but none to his treatment of the gentlemen with whom he has come in contact. After engaging in many important conversations with men of uncertain temper, no one has ever charged him with misrepresenting the words or the position taken up by the different parties. This fairness of mind will be particularly valuable in New Zealand, and will conduce very much to maintain satisfactory and pleasant relations with Sir George Grey. We can certainly congratulate New Zealand on obtaining the services of Sir Hercules Robinson, for his rank and manly character, his -practical wisdom, and his calm eloquence are likely to be very-useful in the energetic communities of the two islands.” During the absence of Mr Berry in England Sir B. O’Loghlen will administer the Chief Secretary’s department, and Mr W. Collard Smith will act as Treasurer. Mr Morton Tavares, the lessee of the N?,w Princess’s Theatre, has issued a writ for L 2,000 damages against the proprietors of the ‘ Australasian ’ for a libel upon him as a theatrical manager in the last issue of that newspaper.