AUSTRALIAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 331, 29 April 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[per reuter’s agency.] The .Census. Melbourne, April 28. The Victorian census return, taken on the night of the 3rd inst., gives the population of Melbourne and its environs as 252,000, Sandhurst 35,000, Ballarat 43,000, and Geelong 13,000. A Mild Rebuke. It has transpired that at a meeting of the Melbourne Presbytery a motion by the Rev. Mr Ballantine was adopted, expressing regret at the character of the Rev. C. Strong’s article in the “ Victorian Review,” and recommending a closer adhesion to the standards of Presbyterianism on the part of that genlhman. ; The Ferrei-Further Particulars. , v Melbourne, To-day.

Thc captain and owner of the steamer India, alias Ferret, which was seized by the Customs for sailing under false register, is missing, and the crew have abandoned the vessel. They assert that they were threatened and forced to silence by the captain, and that they wera engaged at Cardiff for three years, and went to Brazil for a cargo of coffee, which was sold at the Cape for Li 5,000. The name of the vessel was twice changed. From the Cape she proceeded to the Mauritius, and from there to this port, where the captain endeavored to sell the vessel. It is proved that her papers have been forged. Cattle Breeding. Sydney, April 28.

A number of capitalists in this city and Melbourne are making arrangements for stocking an extensive tract of unoccupied country in the Northern territory. It is stated that 50,000 head of cattle will be placed upon the land as soon as the negotiations are completed. It is believed that this enterprise will inaugurate extensive occupation of Northern Australia for cattle breeding. Anti-Chinese Meeting. Sydney, To-day.

A crowded and influential meeting was held last night to discuss the present influx of Chinese. It was resolved to send a deputation to the Government to urge the necessity for repressive measures against Chinese immigration.