AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 4300, 7 December 1876, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Alhambra at Hokitilca.) Melbourne. The debate on the purchase of the Hobson's Bay Railway has occupied the attention of the Assembly. There is strong opposition to the proposal by a section of the community both inside and outside the House. The settling over the races was not quite satisfactory to the bookmakers, several large sums being still owing to them from the fielders. Briseis and Calumny are the best favorites' for the Champion Race. The case ef the Rev. R. K.'Ewing has occupied the attention of Presbyterian circles. The Beechworth congregation still stand to him, notwithstanding the decision of the General Assembly. Theatrical matters are dull. Majeroni made a great hit as the Old Corporal. Mrs Scott-Siddons has closed her engagement. The Circus is now on the wane. The Free Trade; League are making every effort to render their programme known. They are assisted by Mr H. Taylor, the Laborers' Union delegate, who is not very well received. • ■ ■ - Bennett's offer to play the English cricketers at Sydney on Ist and 2nd December has been declined, the time being insufficient to make arrangements. The English play a Twenty-two at Newcastle on 12th and 13th December. The prospectors of the Canal lead, Gulgong, have unearthed a nugget weighing 64ez. Roberts and Dean played three matches, £25 a Bide. Roberts beat Dean in the iirst match, and Dean won second match. The Adelaide Government have restricted the number of immigrants to arrive during the wiater. A share in the Wallaroo Mine has sold for L 1.050. The crushing of the new Native Youth claim, near Launceston, of 1,100 tons quartz, gave 1,6000z5. The A. and.E. Company offer to make Brisbane a terminus for the Torres Strait Mail for a subsidy of L 50.000, and will not do it for L 40.000. The Queensland Assembly voted L 21,000 for a telegraph office, and LQ,OOO for a museum.