AUSTRALIA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 315, 25 July 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

[Special to the Mail.]

(Reuters, Telegrams.) - -_ Sydney, July 24. New Zealand wheat, 4s Qd to 4s 9d per bushel. In consequence of the defeat of the Ministry, Parliament is expected to be dissolved on 20th August. The -Tamboroora is likely to become a total wreck. : Adelaide, July 24. . - i'W "Vyiieat, 4s 3d, dull.

(FROM THE LYTTELTON TIMES.)

Melbourne, July 22.

Weiberg has been acquitted on the charge of theft, but convicted of receiving the stolen money, and sentenced to five years' imprisonment. Pearce was sentenced to one year. July 23. In. the Legislative Assembly last night, the Reform Bill was strenuously opposed by Sir J. O'Shanassy and Mr Service. The Attorney-General hinted at the probability of an early dissolution. The soft goods firms of Sargood and Sons, and Martin Butler and Nichol have amalgamated. Arrived—The Ringarooma, from the * Bluff. ■

[Special.] Melbourne, July 22. The Government has applied to the Associated Banks for a loan of between £150,000 and £250,000. The Banks are willing to give the accommodation^ Mr Berry, in introducing the Reform x. Bill, recapitulated the history of the former measure, which had been resultless owing to the Council's action. He dwelt upon- his labors in London, and contended that Sir M. • Hick-Beach's despatch established, first, the analogy between the House of Commons and the Assembly ; secondly, that the pretentions of the Council caused all deadlocks ; thirdly, the means of-finality in legislation; fourthly, recognised the necessity of deferring to the will of the people. Mr Berry referred to the difficulties of New South Wales, South Australia,, and New Zealand, where trouble was looming in the distance. The Bill proposes'that the Assembly shall be invested with full powers of expenditure, - and Taxation Bills passed twice by the lAssembly and twice rejected by the Council, shall be referred to a plebiscite by the Governor. . The Council is to become nominee, and retiring members shall be replaced as they retire by nominees, whose qualification shall be ten years' residence, abolishing the property qualification. .