AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 843, 16 January 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, Jan. 9. The accounts of the Ballarat licensed Victuallers’ Association exhibit a; deficit of over LIOO. ; s

The general feeling throughout) the colony is that the subscriptions raised in consequence of the Creswick disaster should form the nucleus of a permanent fund for .the relief of cases of distress arising through future accidents ifi mines. Four out of the five gentlemen asked by V

the Government to sit as a Board to enquire'into the Hawthorne claims have re- , plied. Three decline, therefore others • have tO.be nominated. It is decided that the Board shall n< t include officials, so as to be thoroughly impartial. Inquiries were made into the case of the man Simpson, in prison for bigamy. The ■ prisoner states that ho is the victim of mistaken identity, but the statement has hot yet luen confirmed, and the Government see no reason to alter the decision of the Judge. •The English and Australian Elevens, cricketers,. wore entertained by Sir W. J Clarke on Thursday last. The entertainment was very successful. The Hon. Ivo Bligh, in his speech, stated that the great , match had been played bbfore as just an assemblage as had ever witnessed cricket, - the applause being impartial all through. The Festival accounts are not closed, but it is not expected there will bo any surplus ; probably a call will be made on the guarantee fund. Mr Gordon Gooch, late of Auckland, took a prominent part in the _ Festival concerts ; the press were unanimous in hispraise. The strike at BArth, Schess and Co. a clothing factory s;ill continues ; it is probable an agreement to revise prices will be arrived at soon. Meanwhile the girls are receiving strike pay from the abrades’ Union.

Tenders are invited for 300 seta of railway brakes of any description. The trial of the Weatinghouse and Wood’s " brakes will take place on January 25th. There is a general outcry in the press against the action of the Government avoiding the claim of Brown, the enginedriver, for damages. It is suggested that Parliament should vote the sum awarded originally by the Court. By a large fire at the Crsllemaine Woollen Factory, all the machinery was destroyed, and work is stopped until it can bo replaced from England. The Detective Department has been placed under the control of the Police Superintendent, which has not been the case hitherto, A scandal has arisen in Volunteer circles. Captain Smith, of the St. Hilda Artillery, having paid the funds of the corps into his private account, he has been suspended pending investigation. The officers of the Rotomahana presented Captain Underwood with a silver claret jug and salver yesterday on the occasion of his leaving the service of the company previous to taking the appointment of the Marine Superintendent of the New Zealand Shipping Company. Sydney, Jan. 9.

The Barwedman reef at Temora is turning out rich. 1,600 ounces were sent down this week.

The sculling match between Trickelt and Largan has fallen through, Largan haring failed to pay the final deposit. A boiler explosion occurred on board thf barque iEris. An apprentice named Patrick Hogan was badly scalded, and has ainoa died. The Marine Board has concluded an inquiry in'o the loss of the New England. Their decision is that the vessel was lost In consequence of having attempted to cross the bar at a wrong state of the tide*. They strongly censured the pilot Smith and his boat’s crew for arrant cowardice in refusing assistance. The crew were dismissed, and the pilot’s certificate has been cancelled.-

Adelaide, Jan. 9. Before Sir VV illiara Jervoisleft for Melbourne en route for New Zealand he was entertained at luncheon on Jan. sth, the Mayor presiding. Members of both Houses, the press, and the most prominent men in all circles in the colony were present. In reply to the toast of hia health, the Governor gave a Jong and interesting speech, in the course of which he alluded to the material progress of the colony since he took office. He referred to the which had increased by 62,000, and railways, which had nearly trebled, •. being 946 miles against 321. He spoke -in eulogistic terms of the educational foundations. The local volunteer force is equal, if not superior, to the other colonies. Ha looked upon naval as being more important than land forces. He thought Port Darwin railway ' should be placed in the hands of a company to construct, otherwise too long a time would elapse before it would be made; He suggested immigration on the principle of federation, the expense being defrayed pro rata to the population by the Home Government and the colonies conjointly. This would meet the difficulty of intercolonial migration. He favored the income tax as a fair and equal system, and recommended pastoral as against agricultural pursuits. In conclusion he earnestly advocated federation of' the colonies On Sir W. Jervois leaving by the P. , “and O. mail steamer Clyde large crowds ’ assembled at Adelaide and Glenelg to bid him farewell. Guards of honor were drawn up at Glenelg. The Corporatiori presented a farewell address, after which . the Governor embarked. The City Council also presented an address yesterday, to which he cordially responded. . At the inquest on the Post Office fire at Adelaide, the verdict was that there was no evidence to showbewit originated. The new Governor, Sir H. Robinson, is pot expected to arrive for a month. Ernest Giles, the explorer, arrived at Peak on the overland line. He has found ' several new waters. His men and animals are all in good health. Brisbane, Jan. 9. Severe storms have occurred on the northern coast of Queensland. The reamer Glamang arrived on Sunday having only one ton of coal on hoard. Her deck fittings wore burned for fuel. Sir Thomas Liddy and Mr Mcllraith are on a visit to the adjacent colonies.