LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

Evening Star, Issue 3841, 16 June 1875, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Omeo at Bluff.) „ , Melbourne, June 10. Parliament has entered upon the oonsidera* ticm of the Land Bill. Tne second reading debate commenced last night, and is likely to occupy several sittings before a division is taken. It is probable that the Government will carry this measure through the Assembly, but doubtful whether the proposal for an in* creased area will find favor with the Legislative Council. As yet there is no rumor of any oombined attack on the Government, nor is one likely until after the budget speech, early next month, when the financial anangements are likely to give rise to differences of opinion amongst the Government supporters. At the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday Mr R. J. Jeff ray was chosen president. In his inaugural address he advecated a free trade policy. At an early hour yesterday morning an extensive fire occurred at the works of the Victoria Sugar Company at Sandridge. The water supply being detective the best part of the works were pretty soon destroyed. The loss is estimated at between L 30.000 and L 40,000, of which L 29,500 is covered by insurance, hi early all the companies are concerned. - The New Zealand loses L 1,500, and the National of New Zealand, LI.OOO, Nearly 200 persons are thrown out of employment, and it will be nine months before operations cau.be resumed. The fire broke out in the top storey of the sugarhouse. Its origin is unkown. 'lhr ee thousand five hundred persons attended the Rev. Charles Clark’s lecture on the Towei of London in the Town Rail on Saturday. It is estimated that upwards of 8,000 attended the various places of amusement that evening. Madden will likely be elected Warden or the University, vice Professor Hearn, who retires.

H.M.S. Sappho has ai rived from Sydney. The Victoria Racing Club has appointed a committee of advice to act with the handicapper. The Acclimatisation Society have urged upon the Government the advisability of xmposing a gun tax. A meeting of Bishops is to be held in Melbourne on July 4 for the election of a Bishop of Brisbane. The mail steamer Ceylon left Galle for Australia on the 6th, The Golconda arrived from Australia on the Bth. Sydney. Incessant rains have caused heavy floods in many districts. The residents on the lowlying lands were compelled to abandon their habitations. Fortunately no serious damage was done. The barius P.C.E. has been wrecked at' Newcastle, and it is supposed two men were drowned. The Premier has* recovered, but is still unable to leave his house. Swere! very heavy failures are reported. Beilby and Scott m the flour trade have failed with liabilities to something like L 200.000. The glares of Wearne and Miller, Church and Hill, and others are freely spoken of. m, „ . Adelaide. ine liovernment have resolved to -pursue a vigorous policy, and on meeting Parliament will submit several important measures.

A league has been formed in favor of free, secular and compulsory education, Hobart Town. Parliament meets for the despatch of business on July 27.