AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1631, 13 May 1879, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] [Via Bluff] MELBOURNE, May 6. Tho week has been singularly devoid of incident.

A writ for the Central Province has been issued. The only candidate at present is Mr James Lorimer, who comes forward as the advocate of moderation in dealing with the reform question. Mr Lorimcr supports Mr Service's view that in tho event of disagreement between the two Houses, both shall be dissolved, and that if the new Housc3 disagree, both shall sit and voto together. Tho "Argus" also supports this view as tho best solution of the difficulty that can be obtained under present circumstances. This is an improvement on the Norwegian echemo proposed by Mr Eronci? some jours ago. • The Government intend to effect an amendment in the Licensing Act, owing to continued complaints of tho administration of the present law.

The Governor visits G-eelong thia week. He will probably be accompanied by Lady Norman by. The is to be no Birthday ball, bul a large official dinner, on the 21'h. The Minister of Eailwnys is expending a large sum of money in making a dock close to the Melbounii) terminus, and although it has been nointed out thit thia work interferes with tiir John Coodc's scheme, he declines to Buspend operations. What rain has fallen hns done a largo amount of good, but as yet it is insufficient, During the voyage of the Albion from New Zealand she encountered unusually heavy weather. A sea man named George Londie, who was at the whoel, was washed overboard sria drowned.

E. Monk, of Wombat, a saw-mill proprietor, who assisted tlie police after the Mansfield murders, has been persistently persecuted, and even shot at on his way home by some unknown man. It is alleged that Monk was never shot, and that the whole story is a fabrication, but there ia nothing to support this allegation. Monk has row left his home and come into Mansfield. The Government are about to purchase his premises and convert them into a police station. Joseph Aarons, proprietor of the Academy of Music and Victorian A-cade, is in the Insolvent Court. His liabilities are returned at £69,000 and his assets at £03,000. The assignee articipates paying all creditors in full. Aarons, it seems, still retains the Theatre.

Major W. C. Smith, the Treasurer and Minister of Education, is very ill. He was announced to address his constituents on Friday evening, but was unable to do so.

The action for over £30,000 damages, which commenced on March 14th, is still far fi'om finished. One witness has been under examination nearly a fortnight. One of the Clydesdale horses, which arrived with the Northumberland, died as soon as the vessel reached the pier. It was valued at £IOOO.

The Q-overnor has received a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonics stating that the Prince of Wales will be unable to be present at the opening of the Melbourne Exhibition, but hopes to visit Australia shortly. There is very little, if any, improvement in trade, and it will probably be some time be fore business is placed on a satisfactory basis. All places of amusement are doing well, especially the opera company, which draws large houses nightly. ADELAIDE, May 5. The Port Augusta line, in the far North, is being pushed rapidly forward. Reports speak well of the state of the young crops since recent rains in South Australia. The Treasurer of Tasmania delivered his financial statement. He announced that to make good the deficiency the Government intended to impose an income and property tax. The latter i 3 likely to be resisted by the Council.