LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

Evening Star, Issue 4042, 9 February 1876, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Arawata at Hokitika.) Melbourne, February 3. The return of the Minister of Railways by ™ large majority t of 385, at Villiera and Heytesbury, has given, sat'sfact'on to the mends of the Ministry, but perhaps the unpopularity of hii opponent, Sir John O’Shannessey, amongst the selectors and the advocates of secular education had much to do with the success of the Minister. The “stonewall” tactics of the Opposition are being strenuoaaly adhere i to, and the iron hand promised by tho .Ministry is to be put in force, so that both parties are now fa'rly pitted against each other* On Thursday night last the Assembly sat throughout the whole night, and until a 1 quarter to eleven the next morning without intet mission, when Sir James M'Cullooh’a re* solution regarding the Government business was carried. On Saturday it was generally rumored that some of the stonewaUers. had abandoned their position and intended to allow supplies to be voted, but on Monday eveoing meetings favorable to theOoposition were held in three,of the great mining centres, and the atonewallers again took heart of grace and resolved to adhere to their.original intention. These proceedings have been the cause of many disgraceful scenes in the As sembly, and the Speaker is almost powerless to control the unruy wills of turbulent members. Yesterday, the Premier gave notice of motion,for a new stand’ng order, which, when carried, wM cripple the Oppotitio.ii, and allow some business to be done. ■When the previous question is moved, the res i-j lution will have Vo be put without debate or amendment. Forty-three ministerial supporters met yesterday, and agreed to support the resolution in the Uou e, but it will probably be sonn time before it can. be carried. In the meantime there are no suppli s forthcoming, and the public creditor remains unpaid. Meetings pro and con are nightly held, but the stoue-wall” stands firm. Mr Higinbotham has addressed the electors of East Bourke, but • added nothing new to the I*6oßooß henrevioudy advanced for rescuing his seat. He has declined to stand again. An extraordinary state of affairs r.igns in the Mining Department, where nearly a‘l the officer* Lave s'gced a yetit’oa against Mr Broueh bmytli, the Secretary for M-nes, complaining of h : s conduct towards them. The matter will be dealt with by a Bard. M.r B-auey, surgeon, has had‘his profrsaicnal conduct adve sely commented on by two ooi oners’ juries, daring the-last few days, in connection with bosp tal patients. bir J. Vogel, who is a passenger aboard’ the Arawata, had a four hours' business conversation by wire on Saturday with the Colonial Secretary' and Postmaster General of Syd ey. and arranged, mutually satisfactory to both parties, a number of questions remittel to him from New Zealand. The Hibernia and Edinburgh commence laying the New Zealand cable from Botany Bay early on Saturday morning. The China, with the Suez mails, which left Galle o:i Jimmy 26, should rack Melbourne «n the 16th ins% The Albion wait* her mail for New Zeal md. The Legol Professions Amalgamation Bill has passed the Asiembly. Mining masters continue to show some improvement Major John 8011, of Bell Park, near Geelong, died on the 28th ult. He was one of the earliest settlers, Laving arrived in 1839. He held extensive landed property in Victoria and Riverina, wor:h nearly half a million. ■ The Mongolia took 54,0000z of gold and 250,000 sovereigns—value amounting to nearly half a million sterling. . .The following team have been selected to play against Sydiuy; - Allan, Cooper, Mid* i winter, Horan, Cosstick, Williams,. Elliott, Gol bmith, Alexander, M‘Evoy, and Wide. ; i- ; v The Wangairatta Cup was won by Cleolite ;' Mountaineer second, Ruby third. Fourteen { started. Won easily. • . Sidney. 1 During the discussion on the Pacific Mall / Service Six'the'Assembly, Mr J, S. Sipith de- w

signaled Mr H H : MTElwaln reported that out as a clerk foropening the ae tlvcn. Both mibsrqnhbtly apologised and with Vw. The General statedl thfcv L6OOO had behalf olMrEdwwdCunningham, of Mag* for the ielette or all the j artieiiodnoemed fan the penalty-of boi?ds: of L50,00p with the old' taailoontr jdtj whiehklwnr ooimttP ■' - ■ nicattea wifi S iVJuhus.Vogel, clind. ( >.Th6 Mr .Hall andti|™fc6 Pacific Company waited on / a request for assistance- in obtainmig a ment of their cla ms, but were refused,,,...-^ The banks have agreed to charge § per cent, on advances. IWn has fallen in various puts Of the Colony. .A .fire at Maryborough, Queensland. dei w troyed a block of twelve nou*e\ “ The Philadelphia Coimnisnop have left the appointment of Executive Commiasiciner to the v Government. niT ti , , , ' AcsttiDr, .., Mr Boucat takes the pwtfolio of Public Workplace Mr Erskine ri signed, arid Mr Playford takes that of Crown Lands, vice Mr Binoat. • Duffield’s mill at~Gawler was deet oyedbv fire. It was insured for L 8,600. 1