AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1932, 4 May 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By TelegeaphJ [Per s.a. Rotomahana, via Bluff.] VICTORIA.

The Reform Bill has been finally adopted by the Cabinet, and is only awaiting the completion of certain minor details. A deputation of unemployed waited on the Hons. Service and Bent on April 23rd, when the men behaved in a highly offensive manner. They demanded to bo provided with suitable and remunerative employment, not with stonebreaking, which they declared was disgraceful to speak of. They could get stonobreaking without Government aid by going to prison. Much more was said to the same effect. The interview lasted three hours, and fiually Mr Service, who showed great dignity throughout, sent for e hundred railway passes to enable the men to go to a place where stonebreaking was required, but only a dozen applied. At the end of two days only nineteen had consented to work at stone-breaking. The Cabinet is taking up seriously the question of water conservation for the colony,

and with this object has appointed a Board of Enquiry to report fully on the question. Mr Gordon, late chief engineer of waterworks, io one of the members. The Commission on Public Works has declined to pay a claim of £464, being the balance of an account for improving the ventilation of the Legislative Chamber. Work had been done to the extent of nearly £2500 by order of Mr John Woods, to a large extent without the authority of Mr Patterson, who refused to pass the account. The “Argus,” commenting on the new Freezing Company, expresses surprise that a larger amount is not already subscribed. Diphtheria is prevalent in the vicinity of Belfast, and has also appeared at Sandhurst. Reports have been received that it has appeared in other districts, and the Board of Health is taking strenuous measures to prevent its spreading. Measles have also appeared in the suburbs of Melbourne.

The Chief Secretary unveiled on April 21st a monument at Mansfield in memory of Sergeant Kennedy and Constables Lorigan and Soatlan, who were murdered by the Kelly gang last October twelvemonths It is notified that the Northumberland, belonging to Messrs Money Wigram and Son, now due, .'returns to England via the Cape of Good Hope. The “Argus” discredits the reports that the Rev. Charles Clarke, the well-known lecturer, has joined the Romish Church. A further deputation of unemployed waited on Mr Service again, urging the Government to adopt the north-western canal scheme with a view of finding work for the unemployed. Mr Service gave little hope of compliance, no competent engineer believing the scheme to be practicable. One of the deputation declared that a revolution was necessary in order to remedy the land monopoly. It is intimated that, owing to the financial condition, the Ministry will refuse all applications for promotion in the Civil Service next year. The Government have been found to rank as creditors for £4OOO in the estate of the Provincial and Suburban Bank, the Railway Department having accepted a deposit receipt from the Bank on account of a contractor for the Oakleigh line. The Government has received from the Secretary of State a draft of the amended rules and regulations for the Vice-Admiralty Courts of the colonies, and requesting the advice and opinions of the respective colonial Governments. The draft is based on the practice of the Admiralty Court in England. The accounts of the Juvenile Exhibition show a deficit of £4OO. The prizes are about to be distributed. The Government “ Gazette ” notifies that the Act requiring Civil servants who have compromised with their creditors, or become bankrupts, to resign will be rigidly enforced henceforth.

A deputation waited on the Premier asking the Government’s co-operation in sending a competitive team of Victorian ploughmen to England. Mr Service approved of the idea, and if the movement were heartily supported the Government might countenance the affair. Owing to the position of the colony’s finances they could not promise monetary assistance. The Chief Secretary has intimated that the Indian Government will purchase nearly a thousand horses for army purposes next year. Oscar Rouleaux, representing a large number of German papers at the Melbourne Exhibition, intends shortly to visit Now Zealand.

At the eight hours demonstration on April 21st large numbers attended the fetes, which however were considerably interfered with by wet weather.

The Mayor of Melbourne has offered a prize of £2OO for an essay on the best scheme of underground drainage in Melbourne. A hundred yards swimming match for the championship of Australia and £IOO was decided at St. Kilda on Saturday. Molndoo beat Kitz easily. The “Daily Telegraph ” states that Mr Graham Berry, who has severed his connection with the “ Geelong Advertiser,” is about to start a new daily paper in Melbourne, which will represent the interests of the Liberal party. The jury in the case of Manager McOul lochs, who was charged with arson, wore unable to agree, and were discharged. The case will be re-Beard next session.

The Kensington races on Saturday afternoon were successful. The fields in all the events except the Steeplechase were very large. Devilshoof won the Hurdle Race, Myriniong 2, Stampede 3 Dollar won the April Handicap, Fizz 2, Franciscan 3. Ace of Trumps won the Steeplechase in a canter. NEW SOUTH WALES. Mr B. Thompson, a passenger by the Zealandia, was authorised to make a match between Hanlan and Trickett for £IOOO a-side, £SOO being allowed for expenses. The Irish Famine Fund amounts to £7500. At a large anti-Chinese meeting resolutions were adopted in favour of making the Chinese a test question at the next election. The Coffee Palace Company paid a dividend of 20 per cent, per annum. The French war ship Rhine returns to Europe shortly. Beverley, Deputy Controller of Customs, has been arrested for embezzlement. QUEENSLAND. The Government has called for tenders for constructing the seventh section of the Western railway, fifty miles ; the third section of the Townsville• Charters ’ Towers line, fifteen miles ; and the fifth section of the Central line, thirty miles. Tenders close in June. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Mr Burnett, a temperance lecturer, has inaugurated a on ad e by a public meeting at the town hall, which was largely attended. Mr Samuel Tomkinson was defeated at the Gwnneracha election, and Bounsevell elected. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Steps are being taken to ensure the representation of West Australia at the Melbourne Exhibition. TASMANIA. Tho Victorian Rifle Team has been uniformly successful in their contests with the Tasmanians.