AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 3150, 25 March 1873, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

VICTORIA. The Daily Telegraph says Arrangements have been concluded for an intercolonial match between Victorian and Tasmanian cricketers. The match was to be played on the 14th or 15th of March, and the Victorian team would leave Melbourne on or about the 12th. Two matches will be played, one in Hobart Town, and one in Launceston. The Match Committee will meet in a day or two to select a team, and it is expected that a good eleven will be got together. It has been agreed that the Victorian team shall play without professionals. ‘I he quarterly meeting of the Victorian Canary and Pigeon Society was held at No. 5, Collins street west, on the 4th instant, the vice president, Mr W. Adam, inthechair. There was a fair attendance of members. The hon. secretary brought up the prize-list and regulations for the forthcoming show for final consideration, which were agreed to after some slight amendments, and ordered to be printed. The prize list is a very liberal one, LBO having been voted for prizes, exclusive of a number of special prizes presented by various members of the society, and valued at LSO, making in all Ll3O. The dates of holding the show have been fixed, viz., 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th July next, and the society intends holding a pigeon race from Geelong to Melbourne on the second day of the show, which will no doubt prove a great attraction.

At the local police court, the other day, a roan named Charley Mann, a barber, was charged with using obscene language -that convenient police phrase —and in defence, spoke as follows: —“Your worships, I. am the victim of misplaced confidence in a jealous and designing woman. I never can attend a public meeting of an evening but that, on my return, she harrows my feelings by an ill-concealed suspicion of my constancy. I am a barber, your worships, and my domicile is unfortunately of limited dimensions, consequently, after a close and unflinching attention to business throughout the day, when the shades of night approach I require fresh air, A barber, as your worships are doubtless aware, requires to keep his hands scrupulously clean and neat (derisive laughter). Consequently, sirs, if my wife, in a fit of jealousy, throws a bucketful of slops and dirty soapsuds over my head, I submit, your worships, that it is sufficient to wake my wrath and stir my very soul—in fact, enough to rouse the tire of the British lion, much less a poor barber. Ah ? when I think of it, I exc l aim with Beauseant, in the Lady of Lyons, ‘My bile o’erbiles ; my circulation stops; my very blood’s acidulated drops.’” Here the injured wife ejaculated, but was immediately silenced by a severe frown from the Bench, who, after listening patiently to Charley’s able address, remarked that if the Government funds were not immediately increased to the extent of 20s, Charley might retire to the secluded shelter of Mr Cassidy's suite of apartments, for the brief and fleeting space of forty-eight hours, “I’ll take it out,” echoed through the court in manly tones from the object of interest; and, with a majestic wave of his hands, and a smile of supreme contempt illuminating the classic beauty of his features, “ I’ll take the whole of it.” His amiable better half now mourns his absence. —Gipps Land Times. The report of the board appointed to inquire into the case of Captain Gilbee, of the volunteer force, was yesterday morning forwarded to the hon. the Treasurer, and later in the day was dealt with by the Executive Council, There were two points submitted for the consideration of the members of the board when they -were first appointed, and their finding on each was of such an emphatic character, that there was only one course open to the Government, and that was to discharge 1 aptain Gilbee from the volunteer force. The two questions submitted to the board were :—First. Has Captain Gilbee

substantiated the statement made by him in

the Melbourne police-court on the 27th Jan- * uary, relative to the manner in which his uniform, cap, and sword, came into the possession of a prostitute named Annie Britton ? Second. Was his conduct in connection with that case becoming his position as an officer in the volunteer force? The finding of the board was that Captain Gilbee had not substantiated the statement made by him in the police-court, and also that his conduct was most unbecoming his position as an officer in the volunteer force, and the board therefore recommended that he be discharged from the service. ' This recommendation was pqdorsed by the Executive Council, and the next Gyzclk will therefore contain the notification that Captain Gilbee has been discharged from the volunteer force. This is iu accordance with the Volunteer Statute, which provides that the Governor in-Council may, at any time, without inquiry, dispense with the services of any member ot the volunteer force. This does not necessarily eutail any disgrace upon the individual whose services are so dispensed with; but another clause in the statute sets forth that any member of tho force found guilty of any misconduct or misdemeanor, may, after inquiry, be discharged from the service. This is tantamount to being dismissed the service with ignominy, and that is the sentence passed upon Captain Gillbee. In the Examiner, last week, we alluded to Captain G. F. Goble, an old colonist of many years’ standing (forty two), having suddenly turned up, and claimed some allotments in Warrnambool, whicu Lad been clandestinely sold to parties residing here. The gallant captain is now in Warrnambool, and, we are happy to say, with one exception, has amicably arranged to be paid for his property, having beyond doubt proved that he is the yeal f Simon Bure.” Captain Goble is, no doubt, one of the most remarkable men in our community. We remember him some thirty-five years ago in Launceston, Tasmania, where he used to do some large trailtransactions in a general business. Since then lie has had some wonderful adventures, and been partaker in some world-stirring spenes. He was first and foremost in the Californian search for gold, was connected ■yvith the Southerners in the late American civil way, and now suddenly arrives here, and plaims and obtains valuable property, which, it was presumed, his son long ago had rightfully sold after the father’s supposed death. Although closely bordering on seventy years of age, the captain is as active as ever, and is a true type of a persevering Colonist. We remember, years ago, he used to write most extraordinary letters to the Cornwall Chronic e, the Argus , and other old-established papers, and his name is familiar to many old colonists, especially in Tasmania, In a conversation we bad with the old gentleman yesterday, he proved to us bis wonderful

powers of memory, and his acquaintance with almost any known subject. He now possesses some extraordinary curiosities taken from the Emperor of China’s summer palace, when (lie combined English and French fleets chastised the “children of the Sun.” These consist of some thousands of designs executed on transparencies, giving the most primitive and original version of the history of the world. Now that the minds of scientific men are engaged at home investigating the history of the deluge, as deciphered from characters inscribed on clay tiles brought from the ruins of Nineveh, and deposited in the British Museum, the Chinese engravings in Captain Goble’s possessions will no doubt cause some sensation, 'I bey are now in Melbourne, where it is Captain Goble’s intention to arrange them, and exhibit them to the public. According to the captain’s account, the history of the deluge and the origin of languages can be easily read, for ho maintains he possesses a key winch will enable anyone to understand. He certainly yesterday wrote out a number of words for us, which can be read as derivations, and prove that the Chinese language is the most ancient in the world. No doubt, when these curiosities are seen by our scientific men in Melbourne, a full investigation will be made. Warmamhool Examiner.