AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1559, 22 July 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stdbbt, Jnly 9. Parliament will meet on Bth September when little else can be done bat pass the estimates, as a dissolution must take place in December by effluxion of time. ho weather has been very wet, and there is now no fear as to the scarcity of water. It is proposed to expend LIO,QQO of the patriotic fund in the erection and mala*tenanqe of a Home and Hospital for. noncommissioned officers, gaolers and others. The question will be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee. The agitation respeotingthe execution of the convict Johns was led by T. Walker, the Freethinker, who, upon the night previous, used language of an inflammatory ch >raoter. The Govetnor'reoeived a deputation, bat. declined go to behind the decision of his advisers. On the morning of the execution a large crowd assembled outside the gaol walls, where speeches were made, and there was a good deal of cheering, all of which was heard by the convict when he was addressing the Press from; the scaffold. Johns died a freethinker, although he .as attended at the last by the clergy. ■ . General Scratchley Is organising . his small staff preparatory to Starting to New Guinea. The Geographical Expedition has left Thursday Island for New Guinea.' Bbisbsnb, Jnly 16. The Assembly has jpassed the. Payment , of Members’ Bill. The maximum amount is fixed at LSOOfor the session. A meeting of electors at Macxay passed a resolution that the proposed scheme to. ask Government to grant, loans in aid of erecting sugar mills is the only solution of thedabor difficulty. The Government has accepted a tender, for the first section of the. telegraph line to Cape York; length 200 miles.