AUSTRALIAN" NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1817, 17 December 1879, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN" NEWS.

[By TbiiEGbaph.] [Via Bluff .1 MELBOURNE, December 10. The scene in the Assembly on the night of the division on the Reform Bill was thoroughly disgraceful. The defection of several prominent Ministerialists at the very last moment astounded the Government. The AttorneyGeneral contended that forty-three members constituted an absolute majority of the House, as one seat was vacant. The Opposition laughed at the idea. The point was re.erred to Queen's Counsel and several other prominent leaders of the Bar, and the result was adverse to the Government view. Mr Berry has obtained from Lord Normanby a promise of a dissolution, which will take place as soon as the financial measures before Parliament become law. The Reform Bill is abandoned, the Attorney-General stating that eight out of nine barristers consulted were adverse to his view, respecting what constituted an absolute majority of the Assembly. The opinion of Mr French, ex-Attorney-General in the Berry Government, was the only one favorable. The Opposition have succeeded in exempting winnowing and threshing machines and patent mining machinery from duty, notwithstanding the opposition of the Government. A vague statement appeared in the Ministerial press that Mr Berry was willing to proceed with the Councils Reform Bill with a view to a compromise, but the cordial recep- j tion which he experienced at Sandhurst : apparently induced the Government to abandon the idea. Mr Berry denounced the "cornermen" as traitors, and called upon tho country to punish them at the general election. Mr Tylherleigh, member for Normanby, was the occasion of the disgraceful episode in the Reform Bill division. The Opposition leaders positively state that he voluntarily promised them his vote. The Government managed to get him into the ministerial room, and refused to allow access to him, keeping him there till the last moment, when two supporters assisted him into tho Assembly. Then a fight nearly occurred, through the Minister of Instruction roughly pushing Mr Gunson aside, when he tried to ascertain from Tytherleigh if he was a free agent. The whole affair was most painful. Tytherleigh now explains that he was not intoxicated, only a cup of coffee had disagreed with him. Neither the Opposition nor the Ministry interfered with his liberty of voting. The exp'anation was received with laughter. Mr Munro positively asserted that the Government alone prevented the settlement of the reform question. If they had not been obstructive the question might have been settled a fortnight ago. A fatal accident occurred in Sydney harbor in which a young man and his sweetheart were drowned by the capsizing of a boat. Chief Justice Martin has resumed duty. The cattle show in connection with the Sydney International Exhibition was a great success. The police recently despatched to the Northern Mining Territory have been recalled, as there was no fear of further disturbances. The committee appointed by the Oounoil to report on the Btamp Duties Bill will probably report that the measure is not what the title indicates, and is in many respects faulty and informal. An extraordinary cricket match was played between the Tasmanian and East Melbourne elevens. The latter remained at the wickets two days and scored 742, which haß only once been exceeded in England. Horan scored 250, not out, after seven hours at the wickets. The game was drawn. The six months' notice given by the Treasurer to the Associated Banks of the cancellation of the agreement respecting public accounts expires on December 18th. Probably the Government will not disturb existing arrangements. It is also probable that the Banks will reduce the rate of interest for deposits at the commencement of the year. A shocking accident occurred at Emerald Hill. A man carried his little son to the top of a scaffolding on the tower of the looal Town Hall. Becoming giddy, he dropped the child nearly two hundred feet, also falling himself. The boy was killed and the man seriously injured. The Supreme Court hold that a corporation cannot carry on the business of a newspaper or bring an action for slander. Judgment was therefore given for Mr Berry in the slander action in which the "Daily Telegraph" recovered £25 damages against the Chief Secretary. SYDNEY, December 10. The trial of the Wantabadgery bushrangers lasted two days. Moonlight protracted the proceedings by his method of cross-examina-tion, in which he displayed considerable acumen, but failed in his endeavor to prove that two of the constables were cowards. The Crown evidence showed that the bullet found in Bowen's neck fitted the rifle which Moonlight used. At the conclusion of the Crown case Moonlight asked for time to read and consider the evidenco prior to addressing the Jadge. The request was granted. Moonlight's demeanor was not respectful to the Court. Mr Stuart's acceptance of the AgentGeneralship renders the seat for East Sydney vacant. Mr Causdell, a barrister, stands in the denominational interest. Mr Renwick, another candidato, supports tho Government Education Bill. It is proposed also to nominate Mr Forster, tho late Agent Gonoral. It is believed that the Land Bill is sure to pass the Council, notwithstanding the opposition of a few. Under the Electoral Amendment Bill the number of members is increased to 101, and disputed elections are referred to the Supreme Court. The estimates provide for an expenditure of £4,984,143, or £8502 less than this year. £75,000 is set down for immigration. It is proposed to increase the Agent-General's salary by £2OOO. £350,000 is the vote for education. The Anglican Bishop of Sydney addressed a meeting in opposition to the withdrawal of aid from denominational schools. ADELAIDE, December 10. A deputation intends urging the Government to alter the time-table so as to avoid the mail steamers calling at Glenelg on Sundays.

SUEZ MAIL NEWS. [Via Bluff ] The emigration movement amongst miners and superior class of small farmeis continues. The Miners' National Union promises to contribute £l2 for each miner who emigrates to Australia cr New Zealand. At a conference of working men held at Homerton it was stated that replies received from the General Emigration Offices were disoouraging as to the prospects of colonial emigration. New Zealand, it was stated, did not want more men, end did not know what to do with those already sent. The officers of Russian cruisers stated to American officers that a Volunteer fleet is now organising, intended, in the event of war, to force the colonies of Great Britain to declare their independence, otherwise their commerce will he destroyed. The fleet will Bhortly be concentrated at Yokohama, and will consist of two ironclads, ten fast steamers, besides other vessels. The British China squadron will be strengthened probably by the Sultan, Comus, and Albatross. The Boyal Commission on the defoDce of the British possessions and commerce hold several eiMinge, and is likely to last some months. The English press Btill comments on the absence of duly authorised colonial representatives. Women are signing a petition in Leeds for the legalisation of marriage with a deceased wife's sister. The Cape cable was successfully liid between Mozambique and Zanzibar. Through communication between England and South Africa will be complete about the middle of December. The French Government report to the Chambers that the rest of the prisoners in New Caledonia are undeserving of mercy. lima Do Murska made her first appearance in Dinorah at Her Majesty's Theatre, and was enthusiastically roceived. Judge Bathgate was entertained by friends in Peebles district, In proposing the toast ef "The Agricultural Interest," he gave valuable information on Now Zealand as a field for emigration. Pleming, late selecting agent of the Colonial Land and Emigration Committee, Dundee, denounced the financial condition of New Zealand, which now owed fifty millions. He cautioned subscribers to the new loan. Sir Geo. Eliott, of North Durham, intends to erect a monument to Captain Cook on his estate, near Whitby. Mr Childers, speaking of Imperial confederation, deprecated all fanciful notions of bringing the United Kingdom and colonies into a Zollverein with a federal Parliament, believiog such plan would furnish a good cause of quarrel with the colonies. The Rev. McKee, a popular preacher in Dublin, intends to visit New Zealand. Captain Jackson Barry proposes to form emigration clubs in the chief centres of population of the United Kingdom to facilitate emigration to New Zealand. The Prince of Wales is anxious to visit Melbourne Exhibition early in ISBI, but it is impossible to decide at present if the plan is feasible. London papers are unanimous in stating that the course pursued by Mr Berry is such that if he again applies to the Homo Government for legislative help, he would not be entitled to the slightest consideration, not having complied in any way with the conditions laid down by Sir M. Hicks Beach's despatch of May last. Notwithstanding the break down of the Australia, her mails were delivered in Melbourne nearly a day in advance of contract time. She brings London files to October 31st.