AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1775, 28 October 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Via Bluff.] MELBOURNE, October 22. There has been little doing during the week but heavy rain has fallen all over the colony, and farmers are now getting, afraid, as the crops are likely to suffer. With the rapid advance of wheat in England there is likely to bo a corresponding rise here. _ There is altogether a better and healthier tono in business. The p; opened stamp duties have been issued. Cheques are to bear Id stamp, Bills of Exchange under £25 pay Gi, under £SO they pay Is j for every succeeding £SO the stamp is Is. A receipt stamp of Id is required upon all receipts over £2, but payments to banks, to charitable institutions, to building and other provident societies, are exempt. Deeds transferring real property pay 5s for each £SO of value, and insurance companies pay £2 10s_ for every £IOO of premiums received during the year. No duties are to exceed £SOO. They are to bo considered in the Assembly to-night. The estimates mostly occupied attention in the House. Mr Berry has boon absent the greater part of the time through illness, but is now considered convalescent. Sir Charles Sladen has abandoned his Reform Bill in the Council, because the House decided against him on the question of cumulative voting. In a previous division the House declined to accept a modification of Hare’s system of minorities. The Bill has since been taken in charge by another member, but there seems little probability of its being dealt with. The miners’ strike at Sandhurst against a reduction of wages is increasing. There are now 302 on strike, and efforts are being made to secure a general strike throughout the district. It is stated that the Government intend to enforce the labor covenants to the mining leases. Forty-three horses paid up the last enstslment for the Melbourne Cup. This is the same number as lost year, but the list will, no doubt, yet be largely thinned. Secundus and Savanaka are best favorites. Le Loup is not bo firm in the betting, but he will carry a groat deal of money. Nellie continues firm for the Derby. The entries for the other races are very numerous, exceeding last year’s. Great improvements have been effected on the race-course, which is now very complete. Two handsome donations have been made to Trinity College, one of £IOOO by the Hon. W. Clarke, and the other of £SOO by the Key. Dr Bromby, for an annual prize of £2O for study of the Bible.

The collections on Hospital Sunday in Melbourne and suburbs on Sunday fell below previous years. At present the return gives a trifle over £3OOO, but the day was wet and the general depression has not yet worn off. The theatres are only doing fairly, but the Comedy Company at the Opera House is best patronised. Tasmanian Ministers have been defeated on a want of confidence motion, and have resigned, the Governor having refused a dissolution.

The man Evans who shot at and wounded Constable Monks is not yet arrested. The Eellys appear to be almost forgotten. The stamp duties are expected to realise £103,000 per annum. The Minister of Public Works has issued a minute to the officers of his department against engaging in betting or gambling transactions which will render them ineligible to remain in the service.

The action, for slander, " Daily Telegraph" v Berry, comes off at the sittings commencing on the 29th inst.