TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1414, 27 August 1878, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

C ABLE_NE WS. [special to the peess agency.] London, August 25. A telegram from Berlin says that Russia is sending fresh troops to San Stefano to replace the Guards, just withdrawn 5 also, that arrangements are completed beween England and Turkey regarding reforms in Asia Minor. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. [Per Ringarooma at the Bluff.] Melboubne, August 21. The Treasurer, in delivering his Financial Statement on Friday last in the House, said increased taxation was looming in the distance, as the present sources of revenue are found deficient. The revenue did not come up to the estimates by £187,567, the falling off being mainly in the live stock tax and lands tax. The expenditure proposed for next year is £5,127,642, and a surplus of £70,786 is reckoned on. A large sum of the new loan will be required for public works, over two hundred thousand for Law Courts, two hundred and fifteen thousand for Parliament buildings, three hundred and forty thousand for new schools, three hundred thousand for the Yan Yean water works, and then there is the payment for the Hobson Railway. The Reform Bill debate will most likely last another week, but the subject is pretty well worn threadbare. Mr Burns, of New South Wales, has been taking great interest in the cable duplication question. All the Governments interested have given way on all reductions on Indian and Dutch lines, but stand out firmly against the Eastern Extension Co., to prevent Press combination. The rate would now come to about 4s per word for Press messages, being little less than one-third of the present rate, instead of one-fourth as originally proposed. Regarding the postal question, it was agreed that Mr Berry should send a telegram direct to the Secretary of State in the name of the Australian colonies and New Zealand, requesting that the present postal arrangement embodied in the treaty of 1873, which terminates on the Ist of January, 1879, may be continued until the Ist of February, 1880, when the Peninsular and Oriental contract terminates, both as regards India and Australia. This, it was pointed out, would afford time for a final settlement of the relations between England and the colonies in postal matters. Mr W. G. Clark has been returned unopposed as a member of the Legislative Council, and his presence in the Upper Chamber will at any rate add to the collective wealth possessed by the members of that body. Dr. Hearn, of the University, is being opposed by Mr Robert Byrne, an auctioneer, and a former Treasurer for a very short time. Hearn is opposed to the Government Reform Bill and plebiscitum, and advocates Hare’s system of representation. The captain tried for scuttling the barque Loota, at Roxmah, was acquitted. On Sunday last an elderly man named Saxby attempted to murdeir his wife in his own house, West Melbourne, by cutting her throat, and then attempted suicide by cutting his own. Both are now in the Hospital; the husband’s state is precarious. Jealousy is said to be the cause. She was a young woman. They had lately been living apart. The amount subscribed to the Cathedral fund amounts to £13,000, exclusive of the £IO,OOO promised by Mr W. J. Clarke. Mr Edwd. Henty, who died last week, was the pioneer of the colony, having come to Portland from Tasmania in 1834. Wm. Akhurst, the well-known journalist and burlesque writer, died recently on the voyage from London to Sydney. Business continues dull. There was a long discussion in the Assembly last night on the unauthorised expenditure of £240,000 on law Courts. The Board of Enquiry is to be appointed. NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. [pee peess agency.] The Opening of the Railway. Dunedin, August 27. The Mayor and Corporation intend accepting the invitation of the Christchurch Mayor to be present at the banquet in Christchurch that is to be given to the Northern visitors. The shock of earthquake on Saturday was very distinctly felt at Portobello. Tho houses seemed to stagger as if from a heavy blow, rather than from a wave-like motion. Tho carniual in aid of the Benevolent Institution, will be opened by the Mayor on Sept. 7th. It will continue for a week.