AUSTRALIAN.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1454, 14 October 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[Per Arawata, via the Bluff,] Melbourne, October 9. The Eeform Bill has been disposed of so far as the Assembly is concerned. Latterly it was hurried through committee, and even the margiual notes were read. Since the second reading, the Opposition have taken no active part in the discussion, and some of the more independent of the Government supporters finding that they cannot carry their [amendments, have left the Bill alone, knowing that it has no chance of ever passing in any form. The Council has passed the Exhibition Bill, but rejected the Legal Profession Amalgamation Bill without much ceremony. The Kailway Contractors Bill is to be introduced at the end of the session, but not to be discussed. This is probably in view of an early appeal to the country. The loan is not to be floated in London before February next, aad the debentures will not be sent Home till next month. The quarter's revenue returns show that the total revenue forthe year was <£1,007,423, showing an increase ovsr the corresponding quarter of last year of .£69,219. Upon the twelve months ending September 20th, 1878, there was an increase as compared with the previous twelve months of .£63,883 Although a surplus is shown in comparison with the corresponding quarter, the amount is made up with the item of .£103,683, derived from land tax, for which there was not a corresponding item in the quarter of last year. The Customs, on the other hand, show a falling off of <£3b',ooo, all on articles of general consumption. The revenue falls short of the estimate, and the returns cannot be considered «*MStacThe question of religio™ education in schools is again creating P «ention. The Bishop of Melbourne supp"" lß a separate grant to the Catholics an" 3 JttiLlo teaching in schools.not by the clergx> but by the schoolmasters, Sir John O'Skannassy's Bill, dealing with the subject, will probably come on for discussion in the Assembly next week. The Government will make it an open question, and probably the Boman Catholic members of the Ministry will support the Bill, as it emanates from the Archiepiscopal Palace. The labourers on the Oakleigh railway strike work because the contractors offer some men 6s 6d and others 7s. Intimation was made, and all the men had to knock off. The contractors intend to have a force of police on the ground to protect those men willing to work. Gerald Supple, after serving eight years in Pentridge, has been released. It is probable he will soon go to New Zealand, wheie he has relations. He is perfectly sane, and expresses sorrow for the past. A sad accident occurred at the Hunt Club Meeting, on Saturday, to Mr Sulliven, a wellknown amateur rider. He was riding Stormbird in the Corinthian Flat Kace, and the horse ran against a post. Sulliven sustained compound fracture of the arm, and fracture of the leg. Cup betting is still dull. Trump Card has been scratched, and it is doubtful if LeLoup wil start, unless he is got fit in time. Melita is still best favourite. Business continues very dull.