AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 4197, 9 August 1876, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

{From our Exchanges.) Melboure, August 3. The Financial Statement and Budget speech, with the expulsion of Mr M‘Kean, occupied the principal time of the Assembly during last week. The Treasurer, in his statement, was enabled to show a surplus at the end of last year of L 52.000, instead of an anticipated deficit of LIBO,OOO. This was brought about by an excess of revenue received over estimate and savings from unexpended votes. Messrs Berry and Service have found fault with the Treasurer’s figures, and have accused him of cooking the accounts and presenting false statements to Parliament. The M'Kean episode occupied the greater part of two evenings, and his expulsion was resolved upon unanimously, although, in a previous division, twenty members voted in favor of some milder form of punishment. Any middle course was, however, considered inadvisable by the majority. The Java cable is said to be so much worm-eaten as to be impossible to be again used. iSir Gavan Duffy is likely to be elected to fill the vacancy in the Assembly. The new Electoral Bill increases the num her of members from seventy-eight to eightyfour, alters the hours of polling from 9 a.m. to 8 a.m., and provides that the Legislature shall close on the demise of the Crown; also alters several electoral districts, taking members from some and adding to others, Mrs Scott-Siddons is a great success at the Royal, and is drawing large attendances in Shakespearian pieces. Emily Melville is still at the Opera-house, where her engagement will shortly close, and she then proceeds up country. Roberts has left for Sydney, and then goes to New Zealand.

New teas, just arrived, are selling fairly at is to 2s OJd ; New Zealand wheat, 5s 6d Bank of New Zealand shares, LlB 12s 6d.