AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1546, 21 May 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALI AN NEWS.

Sydney, May 15. It has been decided that the contingent shall return at once. A message was received from Lord Hartington, suggest* ing that the troops should not remain lonegr than was necessary in such a oli* mate as that of Suakim, and the Government repUed that it was their intention that the men should be returned without further delay. June sis given ast!f<f data .of departure. .' They will return direct, and will not'visit England, as was at ono time suggested. ■ '■ - . , Owing to the peaceful nature of-the news, the defence preparations have been eased off. The Massilla is lying, in stream with all her armament aboard, andv the Lusitania is nearly completed. It is stated that these vessels, with the Coptic, have been chartered for six months at L 5,000 a month. - Mr Stuart has returned in good health, and resumes active doty next week. The scarcity of water is now a great question, and., is causing considerable anxiety. There is still no appearance of | rain, and the Botany Swampw have become mere mad holes. Suoh a drought has not been experienced for a. period of thirty years. Every precaution Is being used to conserve the small supply still remaining. The Minister of Lands is very ill, and great difficulty exists in,bringing the'hew Land Act Into operation. ’ It is expected that the plans for a tail* way into the city will be presented to Parliament in August. The Vice-Admiralty Court ordered-the sale of the schooner Nightingale and her , cargo. • ■ ’ Archbishop Moran, who leaves here

next month for the purpose of paying * visit to Rome on church business, is ex-

pected to return in time for the plenary Synod, summoned for Nov. 14. Typhoid ia becoming prevalent, a greater number of cases being reported than in any previous year,

Brisbane, May 18, li has been decided to accept tho tender of Gray and Davis for a applying six bounty immigrant steamers from London.

Government have decided to advance loans for the encouragement of deep sink* ing on the goldfields below the lowest depth now reached. Melbouene, May 15. At Messrs Robertson Bros’ sale of stud cattle the highest price given for a bull was 525g5. The first day’s sale brought over LB.OOO.

The New Zealand horse Welcome Jack was offered at auction on' Thursdays 1,350g5. was the highest bid,, but he was pissed in at 1,500g5.