AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1723, 30 November 1887, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, November 24. The announcement by Sir H, Parkes of the intention to obange the name of the colony to Australia has caused considerable discussion and surprise. A majority of tbe ABBombly is in favor of the ohange, bat a small minority are greatly opposed to it. Mr Abbott's amendment to call the colony Wentworth was negatived. It is proposed that cricket, football, rowing, sailing, cycling, lawn tennis, and bowling shall each have a centenary gala day. Mr Dalley's condition has slightly improved, bat he is still in a very critical state. About two hundred Chinese are expected to come to Sydney from New Caledonia about the beginning of tha year. A man and his wife have been committed for trial at Albury for gross owelty and inhumanity to a child until it beoame almost idiotic The weather is now becoming delight* fully fine and warm. Mlbb Amy Sherwln, after a most successful ''Australian tour, visits New Zealand. ' v A squatter at Ivanhoe has bean ordered to pay fifty-five pounds for neglecting to destroy rabbits; Two boys have been arrested lot attempting to wreck a train at Peats'a Ferry. They made a full confession. Tery little business is doing. Mblbovbnk, November 23< A strong national aontimont pervaded tho Jjoglelatlyo Assembly yesterday when the Australian Naval J?oroe Bill was tfnder dißcussion. After a brief debate the measure was accorded exceptional honor, having paßsed through all stages without opposition. Mr (Gillies moved the second reading early in the sitting. In ft praotioal speeoh he placed the details of the scheme agreed upon at the Colonial Conference clearly within the grasp of tho members. Tho reßult was so satisfactory that a minute was placed upon the official reoords of the Houso, stating that tho Bill was unanimously passed. Mr Gillie's stated that in addition to a squadron something after the vessels already maintained by England in oolonial fraters, it waß proposed to establish a joint naval force of five fast cruisers, t\?o toipedo gunboats of the Archer or Itattlesnake type, at an annual oost to the oombined colonies of not more than £126,297, for a period of ten years. In return for this contribution the Imporlal Government undertook to build the gunboats at a cost of £700,000, and maintain them in times of peage and war at a ooat of £25,500 per annum for' tho first two and-a;Kalf $e*v0 f The contribution of the various colontej was fixed upon the basis of population, and the share of Viotorla is assessed at £37,000 per annum, In the event of any of the vessels being lost, they would be replaced at the cost of the Imperial Government. The vessels, with the exception of two which would be per* manently stationed in New Zealand waters, would periodically visit all tht colonies.