AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 547, 30 January 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per s.a. Albion at the Bluff.] Melbourne, Jan. 24.

The smallpox continues to occupy most of the public attention in all the principal ports of the different colonies. The Garonne’s passengers at Portaea are nearly. all well, and the first and second class : passengers were released to-day. The remainder will be kept a short time longer. There is no sign of the disease in the colony. A scare was raised yesterday, but it speedily proved to be without foundation. Some passengers made a complaint, but it is generally believed to have been groundless. The deficiecy upon the Treasurer’s estimate of the amount of revenue received from the selectors for the current year is I L 30,000. This small amount, as com- * pared with the previous year, is an indication of agricultural prosperity. The 10th was the hottest day since 1876. The heat in the shade was 110, ’ and in the sun 169 ; the previous day’s heat in the shade was 104.

Owing to the small pox scare, a number of vaccinations take place daily. The profits of the Goldsborough Company, Limited, for the half-year are L 28,339, yielding a dividend o f 10 per cent.

A committee of magistrates was appointed at a public meeting to consider-; the question of larrikinism. They recom- ' mended the use of the birch for youthful offenders, to be administered at the rising., of the Court, and the application of the cat for hardened larrikins.

5}A. large quantity of grain is stored at all the country stations for shipment to England. The export this year already exceeds that of previous years. The harvest generally is satisfactory. Mr Plimsoll, the sailors’ friend, now en route for the Australian colonies, is staying some weeks in Egpyt. Blasting operations at Port Phillip Heads are completed, and the fairway is now free of obstruction.

Adelaide, Jan. 24 The heat has been intense, and up to 115 in the shade. Several bush fires have taken place.