AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 849, 25 January 1866, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[from otjr own correspondent.] January 16, 1866. MELBOURNE. If we cannot recall the good old tinxes, in a financial sense, we are able to do so in other respects ; for the past few days we have had the weather as hot, and when I say hot, I mean a roasting, steady heat—as ever we experienced it 10 or 12 years ago. To old colonists, it is new life to feel the sultry breezes of yore ! „ Business, generally, continues dull —nobody, apparexxtly, caring to ventare upon new risks or ventures. The general elections have, of course, monopolized a vex’y considerable share of public attention dui'ing the past few weeks. The Protectionist, or Ministerialist party, are in the ascendant by a large way, and we are in fact entirely under mob-rule. Whether it is for the best, time only can show. Irrespective of their importaxxce to the colony at large, the election meetings have been the source of great fun to the public—owing to the eccentricities and pecxxliarities of the furious candidates! As a matter of course, there are no signs of the Exxropean Mail; however, there is little doubt hut that the P. & O. Company will lose the contract for the European Mail service shortly, axxd the sooner the better. The entire local press is doing its best to write it down ; and pop-guns, as they are, they carry weight. The Inter-Colonial Exhibition is progressing fast. The Victorian Railway, in conjuncfaioxx with the Hobson’s Bay line, and I believe the various intercolonial Steamship Companies have intimated their intention to convey goods for the Exhibition free of charge. Snakes are becoming vexy plentiful in the interior, owing to the unusually warm weather we have recently experienced. The bush even around Melbourne is in flaxnes, and the destruction caused, very considerable. Mr Flockhart, a member of the Richmond Municipal Council, has had his leg .broken by a fall while engaged in a cricket match. A rumor has gained circulation that the whole of the Government officials are to have their salaries x’educed 15 percent.