AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 998, 18 July 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, July 12.

The Assembly has carried resolutions in favor of the annexation of New Guinea and the Pacific Islands adjacent. The resolutions have been transmitted to the Agent General.

There is every reason to believe that Victoria will be well represented at the Calcutta Exhibition.

The Secular Association have engaged the services of Mr Joseph Sims, one of the lecturers of the English Association. He was selected by Mr Bradlaugh. The Bishop of Melbourne, in giving evidence before the Education Commissioner, strongly advocated religious instruction being given by the masters in scheols. Sydney, July 12. Mr E. A. Rennie has been appointed Auditor-General vice Mr Rolleston, resigned. There appears to be some foundation for the statement that the French had taken possession of the New Hebrides, but the actual fact has been emphatically denied by the French Consul here. It appears from a private source to the Sydney Morning Herald that the inhabitants of Noumea went to the Governor in a body to request him to take steps to annex the New Hebrides. The Government steamer Lertees, waiting to departure for the Loyalty Group, was at once dispatched under sealed orders to the New Hebrides, and Bruat under sealed orders to Brisbane, it is said, to wire Home for instructions. Bruat, after leaving Brisbane, returned to New Caledonia.

Government intend at once carrying out extensive alterations at the quarantine station.

The Crown Lands officers intend appealing to the Privy Council re Tooheys v. Comm ssioner of Railways, the great railway case. The Engineering Exhibition has been singularly successful, and leaves a large surplus. It is expected that the announcament as to the appointment of the Bishop of Sydney will be made at the end of the month.

Archibald Forbes, at his closing lecture yesternight, said, so long as he had a tongue to wag and a hand to hold a pen, Australia would not lack a loyal champion. Telletnby is scratched for the Hawkesbury Handicap. The Sheep Show commencing on Saturday is likely to be the finest ever held in Australia. The weather has been very fine and bracing, Brisbane, July 12. It is expected that Parliament will be dissolved in a few days, and meet after the general elections about October.

The Additional Members Bill had to be abandoned, owing to the opposition offered.