AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1317, 17 August 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Mklbodeke, August 11. A discussion took place at the last meeting of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce regarding the unsatisfactory state of the negotiations for the reduction of the tor ff for the New Zealand cable. The Committee decided to take steps to urge the ViHoriaa Government to communicate with the other Governments with a view of arriving at a general understanding The matter was to be farther considered at the next meeting. Since then the Argus has announced, on good authority, th it negotiations between the New Z island Government and the Eastern Extension Company have been finally broken < ff, and expressed an opinion that the matter Is one requiring the earnest attention of the mercantile community and Government. Considerable disturbances occurred In Boarke street fur several nights last week, in connection with, the early closing movement. Crowds, numbering several thousands, assembled In front of shops which kept open later than the appointed hours. Bills were distributed, calling on shop assistants not to cnbmit to slavery, urging them to crash the tyrants. Some arrests have been made, and the prisoners were heavily fined. A depnta—tation of shop assistants of the Union waited on the Chief Secretary, for the purpose of disclaiming any connection with the disturbances

Several matings of unemployed have been held in Melbourne during the last few days A deputation wa'ited on the Chief Secretary, caking him to provide work. This was offered in the shape of time breaking at Footscray, but few turned up to commence work. The general impression seems to be that the bulK of the unemployed arrived from other colonies, and the rest were loafers who don’t want work.

The proposed redaction lo seamen’s wages hat caused considerable excitement among the seamen of the vessels owned in the colonies, who have deter? mined to oppose any reduction. They argue that the local shipowners In some cases assisted ocean-going steamers la securing a certain amount of Intercolonial traffic. The Seamen's Union of Victoria held the weekly meeting yesterday, when correspondence was read from the other colonies. The Queensland Union suggested that a conference be held in Sydney on the I6th Inst., bat it vss deemed advisable to await newa from Sydney as to the farther development of events. It is rumored that owners will propose to submit the mat'or to arbitration, bat It Is understood the feeling of the men is generally against snch a proceeding Sydney, August 12. The steamer Richmond has been successfully floated. A new lighthouse has been erected st Keana, provided with a light of similar magnifying power to the Hornsby light near Watson’a Bay. Melbourne, August 12. The Governor has performed the cere* mony of turning the water into the direct canal at Fisherman’s Bend. About a thousand visitors Were present. At an inquest at the Melbourne Hoe* pital the jury found that deceased died from blood poisening. They directed attmtlon to the thoroughly insanit ry condition of the Hospital, and urging immediate action for its removal to a mote suitable place.