AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1450, 7 February 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, Jan. 31. A supplement to the Government Gazette contains » proclamation farther proroguing Parliament till the 13th March. Mr Griffiths, the Q ueensland Premier, retarhs to Queensland to-day, via Sydney. He expresses himself in enthusiastic terms on Colonial Federation, but does not apeak highly of the Imperial amendments to the Enabling Bill. On Thursday he had a long interview with Mr Service with regard to the Annexation question and the Enabling Bill. He also received deputations from the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce and representatives of the sugar industry. They urged that the institution of free trade would assist in welding the colonies together. Mr Griffiths agreed with the views, and promised to lay. the matter before the Cabinet. A serious fire occurred at Brunswick, the residence of the late Hon T. J. Sam* ner. The damage is estimated at LIO,OOO. The house and furniture were Insured in the Commercial and Onion Assurance Company to the extent of L 5 660. ™

From further particularsof the railway accident at Oootamundra to hand, it seems that the accident simply resulted from natural causes, owing to the enormous fall of rain in a few hours. Arrangements are being made to erect a temporary bridge over the gap. The question of damages has cropped up, and it is uncertain whether the New South Wales Government are liable, also •whether those passengers booking in Victoria cannot sue •he Victorian Government. Uncertainty sti.l prevails as to the number of people missing from the train. The creek has been carefully searched for bodies, but only resulted in finding some linen marked “ Fanny Nichols.”

Sydney. January 31. A deputation from the Geographical Society of New South Wales waited upon General Scatohley to-day in regard to the exploration of New Guinea. The mem* bers of the deputation asked General Scratchley if be was prepared to afford any facilities for carrying on the work of exploring New Guinea. General Scratchley replied that ha was quite prepared to give every facility, bat declines any responsibility for the Society’s actions. The exploration should be of a purely private character, and all the people connected with the expedition should be under the control of one leader. He thought the best time for starting wonld be April. Before starting, the expedition should make definite arrangements as to what they were going to do, and the exact object to be attained. It is understood that the leadership of the expedition will be given to the Bey Mr Chalmers.