AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 847, 20 January 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, Jan, 13. Ministers held a Cabinet meeting today, and determined upon the Estimates to be submitted to Parliament. Financial arrangements being completed, a short recess will take place, when the Ministry will introduce a L an d Bill for facilitating settlement, and giving better tenure to pastoral tenants ; a Civil Service Bill and a Bill for affording a greater measure of local self-government is also included in the Ministerial programme under consideration.

Much inconvenience has been caused to the residents of Sydney by the bursting of a 30in. main leading from Botany to the Crown street reservoir. For two days the supply could only be obtained from stand-pipes and tanks, and all water had to bo economised.

The Anglican Synod appointed a committee to take necessary steps for the election of the Bishop. It consists of four clerical and four lay representatives. In view of the numerous complaints against the management of the Sydney Hospital, the Government have appointed a committee of inquiry. The weather has been very warm, and heavy rains have fallen.

\ serious collision occurred at sea on the morning of Jan. 11th, between the Newcastle Steamship Company’s Kembla, and the Rosedale. The Kembla was

struck bn the after part of -the starboard sponson, and somewhat damaged. The Rosedale then went bn her way without offering any assistance. A movement to extend the railway to Circular Quay is again being agitated. An accident occurred on the morning of the 11th to a train between Jonee and Hay. The axle of a truck containing bricks suddenly broke, and the truck being overturned dragged .with it three carriages and the brake .van. Some of the .passengers were braised, but np bones were broken. The portrait of Sir Herculesjßobinson, furnished for the Government House, is considered not at all good, end. a meeting of the committee has been called to consider whether it shall be accepted or reje;ted. , Melbourne, Jan. IS, Trade agitations are- continuing and extending. The bookbinders have resolved i to obtain reductions of their hours. The Omnibus Company have agreed to reduce the hours of its coachmakers to nine hours per day. In consequence of the wholesale condemnation of detectives contained in the Police Commissioaerslreport, several of the detectives have called for a Board of Enquiry. It is stated that the musical festival will cause a loss of about 12,000. The Melbourne compositors are seeking for a rise from la to Is Id per 1,000, and the Argus at once granted it. Brisbane, Jan. 13. Successful exhibitions .have been held of the Lane-Fox incandescent lamps. A serious coach accident happened to a coach conveying passengers :to Gympie. It suddenly capsized, the occupants were thrown out, and all were hurt. -

The Hiron arrived at Maryborough from the South Seas, and reports that the Lord , of the Isles, from Fiji, was seized by tho natives of Santo, and the crew were massacred.