AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 626, 3 May 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, April 27. Parliament was opened by the Governor on the 25fch. There was a large attendance of officials and strangers. The speech promised measures for law reform, the amendment of the Companies Statute; marine service and defences of the colony j public health, food adulteration, mining on private property, and local government. The speech also alludes to the attempt on the life of the Queen. Mr Blackett moved the Address-in-Reply; Mr Connor seconded. A Bill has been drafted creating two political undersecretaries to assist the Minister of Railways, both being members of Parliament. The committee of enquiry into the Meilbourne Hospital state that the Condition of the place is capable of much improvement.

The debate on the Address was resumed yesterday. Mr Berry moved an addition to the reply, tantamount to a want of confidence, on the ground of mismanagement of the railways and the ordering of material from England. It is believed the Government will have a good majority. JC (Torts arc still being made to obtain a remission of the sentence on Thorpe, who embezzled funds belonging to the Bank of Victoria.

Five hundred pounds worth of jewellery was stolen from a shop in Collingwood yesterday. The steamers Queenscliffe and Black Eagle collided on the 25th. Four plates of the Queenscliffe were damaged. Colonel Hutton recommends the disbandment of the Volunteers, with the view of a thorough reorganisation. Sydney, April 27. The thirty-third annual meeting of the Australian Mutual Provident Society was held yesterday. The report was adopted, with au amendment for the alteration made in the electing of the Dunedin auditors.

According to the official report received from London, the number of outrages committed by the natives in the Western Pacific Islands during six months of last year was 23

Adelaide, April 27.

An importer named Joseph Collins has been committed for trial for forging Krug’s champagne labels. Advices from the interior report that the drought lasted sixteen months. Great privation ensued in consequence. The Governor decided to summon Parliament to consider the distress of the farmers.

In the North there are reports of an extraordinary rain-fall. Many miles of country are now under water. The Government surveyor has sketched a good direct road to Mount Brown goldfields.