AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1866, 16 February 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Tbmssaph.] (Via Bluff ) VICTORIA. Parliament was prorogued by the Governor on February sth. Only twenty Acts have been passed, and few of any importance, excepting the taxation measures. Sir Gavan Duffy wag complimented by both sidea of the Assembly on retiring from the Speakership. He proceeds home immediately to publish a work on the Irish agitation of 1847-8. Parliament was dissolved on February 9th by proclamation. The general election takes place on Saturday, February 28th, notwithstanding a strenuous objection from the Jews that this arrangement would disfranchise them" The Government printer made an explanation at the bar of the Legisla'ive Council with reference to the appointments made in his department by the Premier without consulting him. It is reported that the Government have since dismissed twenty supernumary compositors, it is supposed as a punishment for the agita'im. The Assembly voted £250 for a bust of Sir G. Bowen. The Te Anau made the passage from •Greenock to Melbourne in fifty days, only forty-seven and a half days’ steaming. Sh<9 is a fine vessel, almost the duplicate of the Botomahana. Weiberg, the Avoca gold robber, sent to the manager of the P and O. Company information purporting to reveal where the balance of five thousand pounds is concealed. Tho •detectives searched without success. The comet was first observed on February ;2nd, and it is still visible though less brilliant. The nucleus was det ofel from the Melbourne observatory on February 6tb, but veryifaintly. The appendage increased from 15 degrees to over 40 degrees. The Chief Secretary addressed his conetituents at Geelong on February 9th. He epoke for over two hours upon the question of reform. He declared that the Government would abandon the proposal of a nominee Upper House, end would rely on the plebiscite enabling money to be payable under •certain restrictions as to audit on the vote of tho colony as a means for effecting a reform of the constitution. A vote of confidence was carried. HEW BGUTH WALES. The Aseemoly, by a nanow majority, refused to establish free State education. A party contends that the stoppage of immigration is unjustifiable while the colony is prosperous. Sir H. Pdrkes announces that he is arranging the establishment of a penny postage throughout the colony. Trickett, tho father of the champion rower, has been oommifclei for trial on the capital charge of a criminal assault on a girl. The Banks have reduced the rate of interest on deposits. The Betting Houses Suppression Bill has passed its second reading in the Assembly by ji large majority. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The sixpenny > coan postage rate is main, tamed per the Orient Company, via Plymouth ; newspapers go free. It is expected that it will interfere seriously with tho business of the P. and O. Company. Geneva papers lust year predicted the ppearanco of a comet bet'Acen January 27th nd February 10;b,

QUEENSLAND. The Government, being unable to arrange tho continuance of the present Torres Straits mail service, have requested the Premier t. cull for tenders in England for a. direct service from England to Brisbane via Torres Straits, combining the conveyance of mailwith that of immigrants. Tho rush at Woolgar, on the Hocigkinaon, is overdone, all payable ground discovercu having been taken up. TASMANIA. A distinct shock of earthquake was felt on February 3rd. The vibrations lasted several seconds, and created groat alarm, as it is the first shock that has been felt, in Tasmania.