AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1914, 13 April 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[Bt TmaßiPH.] [Per 5.3- T-rsrna. via Bluff. I VICTORIA. Mf.XBODESE, April 6. Tho political quietude continues. The question ot the Speakership is being discussed. Messrs. Lalor and Grant are mentioned as possible Opposition candidates. On the other side Sir Chas. McMahon is still spoken of. Though the revenue returns show an increase on the quarter, there is a decrease for the year ending 31st of March of .£31,478. The stamp duties for tho quarter yielded £40,313, being largely in excess of the amount estimated. The financial year is expected to close with a deficit of £350,‘-'to, thus fully confirming Mr Service’s recent estimates. The amount required during the present quarter to cover the estimated expenditure exceeds £1,900,000. The adjourned meeting of squatters and others last week decided to form a company for frozen meat exportation, with a capital of a hundred thou l and pounds. It is not intended to confine tho company to use Gifford’s

■or Bells Coleman's proces ea, but to reserve to it liberty to adopt whichever promises to answer best. It was stated at the meeting that should the stock tax of Victoria not be removed or no rebate be allowed by the Government, the company might transfer their operations elsewhere. The Harbor Trust have commenced work in Fisherman’s Bend, where in a few days, 200 men will be employed. April 8. The latest Mauritius news states that on the previous Bth of March two cargoes of refining sugar were despatched to Melbourne-viz., one cargo of 250 tons, and one of 400 tons. A groceries cargo of 350 tons was loading. The directors of the Meat Preserving Company are considering the desirability of extending the business to inc ude the freezing process. Carlotta Patti sings in Melbourne to-night for the first time. NEW SOUTH WALES. SiDiSTEY, March 31. ‘ A Bill has been introduced by Sir H. Parkes, declaring that the Council has never had any power to amend money Bills. It has been read a first time, 'i he Bill farther declares tnat the Council shall not h ive the power to make such amendments in the future. Sir Alfred Stephen submitted in the Council a series of resolutions affirming the power of the Council to amend money aad taxation bills solong as an increase or diminution of taxation is not involved. The resolutions were shelved, the previous question being carried. In a debate in the Council on the Education Bill, a proposal to make education entirely free was negatived. The quarter’s revenue shows a decrease of no less than £201.603. The receipts by taxation on land and the Customs have decreased, but the spirits duties and railway and postal departments’ receipts have increased. The decrease in land revenue exceeds £2 10,000, The Randwiek races t ok p’a e on Wednesday. The weather was beautiful and the attendance was good, the Governor and suite being present. Pe rea and Martindala were equal favorites for the Flying Handicap. Clarenza was first, Chesterfield second, end Star third. It was a grand race, Clarenza wining by half a head, the same distance between Chesterfield and Star. The Autumn Stakes were won by Fan bias, Waterloo second. Good Moruiug third. The betting 6 to 4 on Waterloo, who made the running at the start. Fanblas overtook and beat him easily by two lengths, Waterloo ten lengths ahead of Good Morning. The Gold Cup was won by Petrea, M irtindale sec 2nd, Strathearn third. Petrea and Martindalo started equal favorites ton had start Freemason leading Sunlight ran well t .king p-emier position from Catts’ stand. Petrea overtook Sunlight at the straight, and went ahead and won ea ily by five lengths, Stratheirn half a length behind Martindale, ■'-iiulight, Black Swan, and Lowlander following. Tima —3min 371 secs. For the Breeders’ Plate, Grand Prix was first, Sapphire second, two lengths behind. The Selling Plate fell to Queensland, Balthazar second. First Lord third. Zephyr made the running, but Queensland came in at the halfmile and won by a length and a half. The Selling Stakes were won by Lady Emma, Lothair second Kamilaroi third. Eight others started. It was won easily by a length. Cook and Sons’ agent states that ha has obtained important faci'ities from the New Zealand Government and the Union Company for English and American visitors during the Melbourne Exhibition. ADELAIDE. The Government have intimated their readiness to co-operate in the establishment of a depot for provisions in the Crozet Islands, provided all the colonies do the same. TASMANIA. Governor Weld left for Sydney on the sth. The Chief Justice has been sworn in as noting Governor. It is stated that the Cabinet differed regarding the dismissal of Colonel St. Hill, which was carried by a bare majority. The action of the Government in this matter is variously regarded.