AUSTRALIA.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1614, 23 April 1879, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

[beuteb’s telegrams,] Melboubne, April 22. Sailed—Siam, for Galle. Tho Victoria Fire and Marine Insurance Company declared a dividend of £3. It was resolved to wind up and divide the assets, a quarter of a million, and start a new company. Sydney, April 22, Lieutenant Governor Stephens opened the Intercolonial Agricultural Exhibition. There were 1700 exhibits, which bear favorable comparison with previous exhibitions, especially in stock. [Via Bluff.] Melboubne, April 16. There hare been no political events of any importance during the week. On Thursday evening last Sir Bryan O’Loghlen, with the Ministers of Education and Railways, attended a banquet in West Bourke District. Sir Bryan, in speaking of Mr Berry’s efforts at home and what was to follow, said it would be a burning question during the next six or eight months here. It was a question which would engross the attention of people on Mr Berry’s return from England, and in the session of Parliament that would then ensue it would be decided whether there was to be good or bad government here. Major Smith, in asking the country to pre{>are for the last battle and to make this the ast fight, stated that sons should unite with their fathers in such a practical, clear, and unmistakeable expression of their determination as would convince the gentlemen of the Upper Chamber that, if they accepted the fair decision of the people, both sides would shake hands and rejoice at having a workable Constitution, and that, if they did not accept such decision the people had a power greater than their own. Some of those present at the banquet objected to the introduction of party politics, and left the room. The chairman requested Sir Bryan not to introduce political matters. On Easter Monday there was an unlookedfor sensation. Henri D’Estrange, known us the Australian Blondin, ascended in a balloon from the Agricultural Society’s grounds. The inflation was perfect, and tho ascent was most successful, but when the balloon attained an altitude of about a mile it burst with a loud report, and the whole thing collapsed. Thousands of people witnessed the catastrophe, and the greatest interest prevailed regarding the fate of the aeronaut, who was seen rapidly descending. The parachute kept the car tolerably steady, and D’Estrange had the presence of mind to throw out all ballast to lighten the car. He came down with frightful velocity, and fortunately lighted in a tree in Government House Domain, With the exception of a few bruises he was unhurt, escaping death most miraculously. The accident was caused by his own inexperience, as he did not allow for the great expansion of air consequent upon his rapid ascent. Yery welcome rain has fallen pretty generally over the country, hut scarcely sufficient to do much good. Owing to the holidays very little is doing. The Government are in favor of accepting the tender of the Orient Steamer Company for the service, which will include cheap passages for emigrants. The Victoria Racing Club are about to revise their race programme. A number of the present races will be abolished or altered, and others substituted. The Melbourne Cup second and third horses will receive 200 and 100 bovb. respectively, and in the Champion the added money will be reduced from £ISOO to £IOOO. David Henery, under sentence for embracery, has been seized with a fit of apoplexy, and remained insomible for the last ten days. Henry Varley was a passenger by the Durham for England, The colonial war ship, Nelson, will take the Victorian exhibits to Sydney. A formal invitation to tho Prince of Wales to open the exhibition next year will bo sent by the out-going mail.