AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1347, 9 December 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, December 4. The Government have only obtained a narrow majority of two in a full House on the no-confidence motion. The Opposition expected they would resign, but on meeting of the House yesterday evening Mr Dibba stated that they intended to retain office, and that he would submit the Financial Statement on the 15th. Sir John Robertson and others protested Mr Dibba stated that it was for the public welfare that they should hold office. Mr Garret has been appointed Chairman of Committees. * Preparations are being made for the public reception of Lord Carrington on the 12th The death of Sir Peter Scratchioy took the community by surprise. It seems that he made a visit to the interior of New Guinea, walking most of tUe road, whioh was precipitous, and was much fatigued. He slid insisted on continuing bis progress, but bis health caused the greatest anxiety to the party. The General was then brought back, and it was determined to proceed at once to Cooktown, and there General Scratch >ey had only strength to whisper to his secretary instructions for a telegram to be sent south The weather was terribly hot, snd the General visibly sank, tnd soon collapsed altogether. The body was carried to Townsville, and was placed in a lead coffin, and will probably be sent Home for into'meat. Suitable arrangements will bo imuli; here for the reception of the body. Cardinal Moran has been visiting Nowcastle and Maitland. At the farmer place, Dr Redwood preached. At the trial trip of the Mararoa yesterday, some good speeches wtie de ivered oa behalf oi the Company. It was hinted' that in future it might be accessary to ; form a connection with the Canadian Pacific Railway at Vancouver, either by a j through, servi a or a branch from bus j ff'nqefaoo. <

A moating of members of the Scotch Ohnrcb was held, at|the instance of the Presbytery. The Rev. Dr. McKenzie presided, and read a resolution passed by the Assembly, to the effect that both ministers and office-bearers of the Church, In accepting the standard, should make his mental reservation. Mr McLean protested sgniost such resolutions b<?ing imposed on the congregation. Ths Chairman said if he did not take care he wonld call a policeman and remove h<m Mr McLean replied that snob conduct was disgraceful, and was like that of a low bred larrikin. The meeting then broke up. Mr Burton resigned his seat in the Assembly through insolvency. December 3. The Geographical party arrived to-day, and were formally welcomed by Sir Edward Strickland and others. Captain Everill gave a brief resume of the operations of the party, and of the proceeding np the river. They turned into a branch pretty wide, and thla was named the Strickland. They saw a number of natives farther ap, bat they always fled their sight. ihe natives were any thing bat friendly, and showed an intention of fighting. They sent a ahower of arrows at the steamer, and the expedition was compelled to fire on them, but none appeared to fall or seemed hurt. On one occasion there was an alarm that the steamer was going over, and she had to be lightened. Upon landing they had to

cut their way through the jungle. They j urnsyed up the river in a whaleboat, reaching a position approximate to one on the boundary of the British possessions. The eatable food was a species of bread frnit. The natives are a fine race, and have very large noses of a pare type.