OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 360, 12 March 1880, Page 15

OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

(From our own Correspondent.) Melbourne, March 3rd. At last, after a week of intense excitement, followed by a couple of days of tumultuous congratulations, men are settling down to the situation in Victoria, taking stock of their victory and its results. It was a grand conflict — fought for the most part, I believe, loyally, and everywhere with serious earnest purpose. On Saturday (the polling day) all business was suspended — the rain came down almost unremittingly both in town and country. Voters everywhere plodded through it unheeding, bent heart and soul on the work before them. In no former elections, no matter how bright the sunshine, were so many votes recorded throughout the constituencies. Even Mr. Berry cannot pretend to deny that in his favourite phraseology, " the great heart of the people " was reached on this occasion, and that it beat unmistakably for his opponents, and not for him. Among the surprises of the hour, the greatest was the rejection of Mr. Munro, for Carlton, a city constituency, followed by the rejection of Mr. Casey, for Mandurang, a fact from the extent of the district, not confirmed in Melbourne until this morning. Messrs. Munro and Casey were founders of what is known in the House as the Comer party, and they wielded considerable power over Government and Opposition. They were both old members, and have both been ministers. Mr. Munro is a fiery rather than a canny Scott — perhaps he combines the ' qualities. He had become a sort of acknowledged mediator betwixt the Council and the Assembly in their interminable bickerings, and was a clever and influential member that can ill be spared. Mr. Casey, as Minister of Lands and Minister of Justice had made a considerable figure He is known as King Casey, but it is said he is so intriguing, shifty, ,-and selfish, that no party trusts him, and I fear there is joy on all * sides at his absence. Had he been elected he would have, probably, been offered the speakership — an honourable cage in •which a longreided and ambitious politician can be made safe from mischief. The Eoman Catholic vote put Mr. Berry and his party into power on the 11th May, 1877, and as they broke all the promises they had made with regard to the Education question, it sent them adrift on the 28th February, 1880. Messrs. Munro and Casey were rejected entirely by the Catholic vote, also Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, Messrs. O'Hea, Orr, and Cameron. The Catholic influence has been so much felt at these elections that it has set politicians of all shades thinking about it, and must have important results. There are all sorts of canards going abont as to the new Ministry ; lists have been freely circulated, but there has nothing definite been done yet, as the Governor has been out of town. The appearance of Collins-street on Monday, as described by the Argus, is so accurate that I quote it here :—: — " Collins-street yesterday presented an extraordinary appearance. Business can only be said to have been partially resumed, and the principal avocation of the citizens appeared to be the exchange of

congratulations. Hand-shaking groups were visible everywhere. There was a smile upon all faces, and the gloom which has hung upon the city like a pall during the last year was thoroughly dispersed. All day long there was a large attendance outside Tlie Argus office, and the utmost anxiety was displayed to learn the latest intelligence in connection with the crisis. The crowd included bank managers, barristers, merchants, and other citizens who are not ordinarily seen in such a position. At one o'clock we posted the information that the Ministry had decided to resign, and the announcement was received with a cheer. So was the further intimation that Mr. Service would be sent for, and as the crowd was good-humoured and impartial the subsequent intimation that no new appointments would be made by the Ministry was greeted with a similar indication of approval. Election returns came in but slowly, nevertheless jthey were patiently waited for by some, while constant visits to the spot were made by others, and up to midnight there was an attendance at our doors. Probably to-day the city will resume its usual appearance, and the citizens will return to their ordinary habits."