AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1703, 5 August 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Via Bluff.] MELBOURNE, July 29. On Tuesday Mr Berry moved for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Constitution, and explained the provisions of the proposed measure. He said that there was no other result of the Embassy except the despatch of Sir M. Hicks-Beach; nothing further had passed, either publicly or privately. He then referred to his speech of last session, and eaid that there wes nothing in that which he wished unsaid. The Bill proposes to enact a clause making all moneys legally payable as soon as they shall have passed the Assembly. Another proposal is that when a Bill fails to become law in two sessions of Parliament, the G-overnor in Council may order a plebiscite. Lastly, the Bill provides for a nominee Council instead of an elective one, as at present, the members to be appointed for ten years. Mr Berry’s speech wes moderate in lone, but the debate which followed showed that the measure will never pass into law, as it would have the effect of altogether annihilating the Council. The Bill is in every respect a worse one than that of last session, but Mr Berry said he believed it was in accordance with the terms of Sir M. Hicks-Beach’s despatch, and in reply to questions he said, if it failed to pass in the colony, it would be the means of obtaining an Enabling Act. Some of the more violent members of the Assembly support the measure, but the more moderate see in it a complete overthrow of the Council, and that it would deprive that Chamber of all control over legislation. Tha principal papers in this and other colonits have condemned the Bill on that ground. The second reading does not come on for another week, even if then.

It is believed that financial questions wl'l occupy much time, as a number of new taxes are to be proposed to meet the deficiency. There now appears to be every prospect of an early dissolution, and both sides will be fully prepared for the contest, which will no doubt be very severe. A terrible murder was committed yesterday when Mr Thomas Tinlajson, secretary of the Hobson’s Bay .Railway Company, was the victim. He had had reason to complain of the drunken habits of an employe named Laurence. Yesterday morning Laurence, who was still apparently suffering from the effects of drink, was in the oyster saloon of the Railway Terminus, when Finlayson came in. He again spoke to Laurence and accused him of being drunk. Thereupon Laurence took a pistol from his pocket and shot Finlayson dead. Four chambers of the revolver he had were found loaded. The assassin was at once arrested and conveyed to the lock-up. He was subsequently brought up and remanded for a week. The affair caused very considerable sensation, as Finlayson was very well known and much respected. There have been an unusual number of violent deaths lately. Not long ago Bates, the actor, met his death in a mysterious manner, and, no doubt, he was robbed. On Saturday morning a man named Boardrace came to town. Next morning he was found dead in a street at Carlton. No external marks of violence were found on the body, but it has since transp : red that the man’s pockets had been rifled and his coat had been nut on reversed. There is no doubt crime is greatly on the increase, as is shown in the number of robberies and acts of violence continually taking place. An old blind beggar was yesterday morning burned to death in a shanty he lived in, in the very heart of the city. When the place caught fire he had evidently been unable to make his way out.

The education question has thoroughly aroused the Catholics, not only in this colony but in New South Wales, and Archbishop Vaughan’s pastoral has added fuel to the flames. Meetings of Catholics have been held all over this colony, at which resolutions were passed to support no candidate who will not promise that the Roman Catholics shall obtain a fair share of the education grant. The unemployed continue to be a thorn in the side of tho Government. A large number have been found work, but the majority will not leave Melbourne or accept any wages below what they consider tho current rate. Every day deputations wait on the Government, wanting work, and a number have been sent to Gippsland Forest to fell trees, the timber being purchased by the railway department. The Academy of Music and Victorian Arcade, erected by Joseph Aarons, has been sold under his insolvency, and the leasehold fetched £33,900. Thomas Cooper, M.L.A., was the purchaser, but no doubt he was acting for other persons. Business is little better. Tho wheat market is hardening, owing to English advices, and 6s Id is now asked. Hearn, of New Zealand, rows Messenger on the Yarra on August 23rd for the championship. R. Edwards has also challenged Hearn.