AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 3558, 18 July 1874, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, July 10. Business in Parliament has been unimportant, the Assembly sitting on only two days during the last fortnight. Owing to the illness of the Chief Secretary, the House decided not to proceed with the Constitution Bill, and on Wednesday last the adjournment was made owing to the death of Mr Pope, the member for Grenville. The Chief Secretary, who had a severe attack of pleurisy, is new recovering. The Local Government Amendment Bill as introduced, does away with the main road subsidies, and establishes a system of endowments.

Ihe question of payment ef members is to be again submitted. On the question of going into committee upon it, a majority of the Assembly was in favor of it.

The railway revenue for the past year ending June, is L 850,000, being LIOO,OOO over the estimate.

Mr M Lean, the New Zealand Minister, occupied a seat on the floor of the Assembly on 1 uesday night. Blonoiu is expected here after visiting Sydney.

The Rifle Association has telegraphed to England to ascertain what inducement and what matches were open for a team from all the Celonies; twenty men to visit England. New Zealand is asked to join. A. portrait of Mr J. P. Fawkner is to be painted for Public Library, out of the proceeds of a public subscribtion. ■ A boy named Gallaghley has been cut to pieces on the Suburban railway. He was passing a level crossing at dark. A five has occurred at Dudgeon and Amell’s r*-m onn Til ® loss is estimated at L.lO OUO. The insurance is—Building, L 2.500: machinery and stock, L7lO. b°‘w oy ’✓I*,*.® principal to the Ballarat Presbyterian College, committed suicide yesterday by cutting his throat. The firm of J. and R. Callaghan, boot importers, have had certain goods forfeited ns false entries were passed at the Customs ooncerning them.

The R.M S.S. Pera left Galle with the mails three days before contract time. She is expectsd here on Saturday, July 25. Heavy gales have been experienced the last few days. No casualties of any importance are reported.

Sydney, July 10. It is stated that Gardiner was recognised aboard the Californian steamer on Saturday. A case of small-pox is reported aboard the Government steamer Ajax, at Newcastle. The shipowners have resolved to petition the Home Government to amend the Polynesian Labor Act as ruinous to legitimate trade. Brisbane, July 10. Four Sills have been passed increasing the salaries of the Governor and Ministers, hut negativing the increase of the salaries of the President and the Speaker.

T. r _ , , Adelaide, July 10. Mi Dundey has accepted office as Minister of Justice and Education.

The revenue for the half-year exceeds half-a-mulion sterling. A number of coolies are en route from Singapore for the Northern Territory.