AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1727, 2 September 1879, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Via Bluff.] MELBOURNE, August 26. Some very disgraceful scones have been enacted in the Assembly. On Wednesday night last, Messrs Gaunson and Patterson, Minister of Public Works, commenced a wordy warfare, which almost led to blows. TVfr Gaunson, who was in one of his lively moods, called Mr Patterson “ a cattle duffer,” and hinted most strongly that he had been talked to severely by a Judge in a cattle stealing case. This was sufficient to rouse the ire of the Minister. He denied the accusation, and then followed a scene in which the words “ Scoundrel,” “ Bully,” “Blackguard,” “Whelp, and “ Our ” were freely used. One promised to flog the other and to break every bone in his skin, but it all came to nothing. The House adjourned in some confusion, but there was no personal violence, and next day Mr Gaunson gracefully apologised to the chairman, but Mr Patterson, who was present, said nothing. On Thursday night, or rather Friday morning, the division on the budget took place, and it only left the Government a bare majority of four, tho numbers being 42 to 38. This was much closer than was generally anticipated, though it was thought at one time that the majority would have been on the other aide. Mr Berry rallied his party just before the division, and at last secured one waverer. The Government now finding the unponularity of their proposals, intend to recast them, and in lieu of some of tho duties will propose a stamp tax, which will bring in about £IOO,OOO, and distribute the duties on fewer articles, with a view to suit the Protectionist party. It had been frequent stated that if required the Government could have easily been defeated, but in view of the difficulties of the Reform Bill and the taxation, such a course was not considered expedient, Then no doubt there will be a dissolution and a general election within three months. The full particulars of the Lancefield Bank robbery shows how easily a bank may be stuck up. The two men were quite novices in the business. They started from Meibom c to rob a bank at Heathcote, but losing their way in the bush found themselves at Lancefield, and they resolved to turn their attention to that bank. They themselves were quite nervous and frightened when they first entered the premises, but finding the bank officials in such a state of trepidation it gave them courage, so that, as one of the prisoners said, any old washerwoman could have stuck the bank up. The gag was tied into the accountant’s mouth with a piece of cotton and hung loosely down, and one of tho socalled revolvers is said to have been merely a pipe case. The men left on foot, walking leisurely, and they say they saw from an elevated position the commotion in the township, their capture was not difficult. Hearn, the New Zealand sculler, met Messenger on Saturday on the Lower Yarra, but had no chance with him. Messenger led off from the start, and kept in front the whole of the distance, winning by a couple of lengths. There was a large crowd to witness the contest, and just before the start Hearn was slightly the favorite. The iron ship Amyone, recently from Liverpool, was found to be on fire last Friday morning in the fore hold. The vessel was alongside tho Railway Pier, Sandridge. She was towed out into the stream, and scuttled in 23ft. of water, where she now lies. She had only arrived a few days previously, and but two tons of cargo was discharged. The value of the cargo was £3d,000. The cause of the fire, it is believed, was the sailors going with lights into the hold. She is a fine ship, and commanded by Oapt. Robertson, formerly of the steamer Great Britain. On Friday night as the steamer Claud Hamilton was coming up the Bay, she came into collision with the barque Ben, outward to Shanghai. The Claud was struck on the starboard side, almost in a line with the captain’s cabin on the deck, and cut down below the water line. The deck was also cut into to the extent of three planks, and other damage done. The blow must have been given with some force. It was fortunate that the night was calm, as tho vessel was heavily laden with coal at the time. As it was she managed to come up the Bay. The barque also returned, and it was found that she had not escaped lightly. There are conflicting statements as to the collision, and as to which was to blame, but an official inquiry will be held. Some heavy rain has fallen, but a great deal more is wanted, as the general average for the year is still about six inches below the previous year’s. The crops are ssid to be looking well in the country. Indeed, everything is already much too forward. On Saturday a number of boys, confined in the Jika Reformatory, made their escape. Four were recaptured after a long chase, but several still remain at large. On Monday three prisoners employed in a road gang at Maryborough escaped. One was caught, but the other two got away, and are not yet captured. Great progress is being made with the Exhibition building. The eastern naves and gallery of the main building are now covered in, and the dome is being proceeded with. W. P. Bowes, a well-known sportsman, while out with the hounds on Saturday, was thrown on to bis head and killed. The exhibition of sheep this year, under the auspices of the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association, is the best that has been held, and the sheep were truly magnificent. McLean and Co., of New Zealand, have a number of Lincoln ewes. Mr Thos. F. Gumming is by far the largest prizetaker. Tho election of Mr Robert Harper for West Bourke over Droben, by a majority of fifteen, causes much satisfaction to the Conservative party and opponents of the Government, Who see in it another instance of the growing unpopularity of the Government. Business is fairly quiet, bnt the brandy market has been somewhat excited, owing to the news from Franco of the failure of this year’s brandy crop. Wheat is a little better.