AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1951, 26 May 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[From the Melbourne Papers.] YICTOEIA. The Government continue to find work for the unemployed. Mr Bent has agreed to let the Government works in small sections through the Working Men’s Association, as requested, and has also granted them the use of an office for registry purposes. Some amusement was created last week by Mr Bent publicly chasing an “unemployed” who rudely demanded work and used threatening language at the same time. Mr Bent captured him, but released him with a warning. A large number of Ministers and members have visited the harbor trust works, which involve the removal of 1,326,000 cubic yards of material, at an estimated cost, inclusive of the new docks, of £1,246,000. The works are actively proceeding. The agricultural statistics for the year ending March show—Land under tillage, 1,687,000 acres, an increase of 78,000 ; gross produce of wheat, 9,407,000 bushels, or an increase of 3,346,000; average yield, 13.3 bushels per acre, against 8.8 last year.

The Frozen Moat Company has telegraphed to London for the best refrigerating machine, and intends commencing operations immediately on receipt of the machine.

It was intended to hold a grand volunteer review at Melbourne on the Queen’s birthday, when it was expected that 8000 men would take part in it. The British Sceptre, from London, was placed in quarantine with twelve cases of small pox on board. The last person attacked has been convalescent 50 days, and the vessel has since been released.

Another fevered sailor from the Yrienden died on April 12th, but the others are now mending, and the vessel has been released from quarantine. Several more cases of measles have occurred at Richmond. Diphtheria is not yet stamped out, several persons being under treatment. The debate on the address concluded without any amendment. Messrs Mirams, Davis, Richardson, Longmore, and Graves criticised the Government, and Messrs Walker, Madden and Lyell spoke in their defence. The latter appealed to Sir J. O’Shanassy to reconsider the position he had assumed. He believed that the discontent on the Government side had been greatly exaggerated, and disapproved of the Ministerialist papers threatening a dissolution at this early stage. The Chief Secretary has communicated with the other Governments, and arranged that the census should bo taken throughout Australia on the same day as in England. It is proposed to hold a statistical conference, with a view to securing uniformity of census statistics. The Government has notified its intention to appoint a Royal Commission for the preservation of forests in Victoria. NEW SOUTH WALES. Mr Beverley, Deputy Controller, pleaded guilty to embezzlement, and was sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment. Mail advices received state that the steamer Gonial sailed from Spain on March 13th, with large numbers of emigrants for New Ireland. A company is forming here and m New Zealand for utilising and developing the shale deposits in the latter colony. Extensive antimony mines at Armidale are being rapidly opened. It is stated that the mines are very rich. The steamer Keilawario reports picking up the boat containing the master and six sailors of the schooner Noumea, recently wrecked on Saumarez reef. The A.A. Company are taking steps to engage fresh hands in place of those who are on strike. Disturbances being feared the manager obtained a strong protective force, and the workmen were unmolested. The official report of the discovery of gold in the Trunkey district states that in one claim two pounds of gold were crushed from a bucketful of quartz. Other reports state that the reefs are very rich. QUEENSLAND. Acting-Governor Bell, in a speech on April 10th, maintained that squatters and farmers should work hand in hand. Before long the farmers would always be able to count on a good market for their cattle. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Mr Schoomhurg, curator, has received some seed of two new varieties of wheat from Vermont, |which are stated to be superior to all other kinds.