AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 512, 19 December 1881, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Pee Alhambra, s. s. , via the Bluff. Melbourne, Dec. 10. A Bill introduced in the Assembly to suppress gambling by sweeps, met with opposition, and was postponed. The revenue returns received daily at the Customs are very satisfactory. On December 6 the sum of L 10,780 was received ; the largest for one day. The Minister of Railways has declined to grant free passes to cricketers so long as they receive gate money. Heavy rains fell yesterday, and a severe thunderstorm was experienced on Wednesday. Mr Bell, a well-known resident at Mount Mercer, while driving with his wife in a buggy, was struck by the lightning and killed. At Talbot, a girl aged 18 was struck by lightning during the same storm, and was carried home paralysed. Mr Rusden, clerk to the Parliament, has again asked to be allowed to retire. He claims a pension of L6OO a year, having occupied his position for 25 years. Mr M. Matson, formerly secretary to the Board of Agriculture, committed suicide in a horrible manner. He Was of unsound mind. Sydney, Dec. 10The case against the Milburn Creek trustees will be heard at the February sittings. Brisbane, Dec. 10. Those of the murderers of Mrs Watson who were discovered have been punished. Adelaide, Dec. 10. During nine months of the present vear. 35,915 acres were sold for L 64,396 cash ; and on deferred payments, 497,569 acres, for an aggregate of L 601,160. The boiler in the bone crushing mills at Dulwich burst, and wrecked the premises, but no one was injured.