AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1136, 8 February 1884, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, January 29. The Marquis of Normanhy returned from Sydney to-day, where he had been to inspect the mail steamer in-which he goes to America in April. Sir William Clarke has given LSOO as a prize fund for the Militia in shooting, &o. The Rev. George Dods, of the Scots’ Church, is laid up with scarlet fever. Professor Sample gave an exhibition of horse training in the Exhibition building last night for the benefit of local charities, there was a very large attendance, and it is expected that from L7OO to LBOO will be available for distribution. Julian Thomas, well known as “The Vagabond,” has brought and action against the proprietors of a projected magazine, to be called “ The Vagabond,” as an infringemen of the title possessed by . him and used in his writings. The remains of the Hon. J. G. Francis were interred on Sunday. The funeral was a private one, but large numbers of well' known citizens were present. Mr R. S. Smythe, the well known entre* prenenr, has made an arrangement .with Georgs An tutus Sala for a’tonrin Austra ii He will arrive in Melbourne in April 1885, and intends to do the trip in one year from Home to Home He will witness the Melbourne Cup of 1885 The Minister of lands has directed action to be taken to enforce the supply of lifesaving apparatus at bathing establishments on the beach, owing to numerous accidents lately. Owing to the difficulty of finding the way about the new Law Courts, it has been decided to have 196 notice-boards painted, 146 of which are for the ground floor. Several candidates are mentioned already for Mr Francis’ seat at Warmambool Messrs Webster, Cramer, and Murray, (all Peal men), and Sir Bryan O’Loghlen are likely to enter the lists. Sydney. During the past few days the Mayor bas proceeded with the reconstruction of the staff of the City Engineer’s Department. The City Treasurer suggests the sale of Sydney Corporation debentures on the London as wellasthe Sydney market, influenced by the fact that the city of Auckland debentures realised better prices in London than in the Colonies. Mongooses are being sent to the interior for the destruction of rabbits. Fifty-two were received for the Darling district by the last mail steamer. The Wesleyan Conference is sitting. The President (the Rev. Mr Fletcher) was indisposed, and unable to take part in the proceedings. Considerable excitement was caused on Monday by the report that the Blind Institution was on tire. It turned out to he a fact, but the inmates were safely removed and the conflagration extinguished. Recent bush fires in Newcastle district devastated miles of countiy. The land presents an appearance as if covered with snow —trees, fences, etc. having been reduced to white ashes. Anniversary Day was celebrated on Saturday. The principal attractions were races at Randnick, the cricket match at Moore Park, and the regatta on the harbour. The Parramatta Industrial Exhibition was also largely patronised. The property tax proposed by the Treasurer, to he framed on the lines of the New Zealand tax, will include property of all kinds —rnl, personal, lands, houses, mortgages, shares, bank deposits, household fur niture, wearing apparel, etc. Exemption will be allowed under 1 300, and an allowance to that amount will be taken off when above that value. The Hon John Blaxlan-t, M.L.G., died on Saturday, in his 83rd year. Two more young men have been arrested in connection with the Wooloomooloo outrage, and it is expected more arrests wdl be made. Here’s Luck, an outsider which started at 2'> to 1, won both handicaps at the race meeting The sale of the Auckland stud horses was not nearly so successful as expected, owing to a variety of causes. The only spirited competition was for the Onyx colt, between the Hon J. White and Mr Deakcn, representing Mr Pearson of Victoria. The number of Polynesians in the Colony on June 30 last was 13,697. Adelaide. Government are despatching a survey party to Melville and Bathurst Islands, north of Port Darwin. In 1324 a military post was established at Melville, but was abandoned on account of trouble with the natives. The island is swarming with buffaloes, the descendants of those left by the soldiers. Fourteen fire insurance companies have drawn the attention of the Manager of Railways to the prevalence of fires along the line, owing to the inefficiency of the spark protectors in use. Brisbane. It is expected that Parliament Houses will be lighted by electricity next session. Meat freezing works have been established at Bowen, and the steamer Fiado is loading there. Notwithstanding theflarae influx of immigrants, the demand for single men continues good. Hobart. The annual regatta was held on Thursday The attendance was large, but the weather wet. A Court-martial has been held on board H.M.S. Nelson. Two officers lost seniority for two years for drunkenness in the engineroom.