LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1974, 22 June 1880, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Teieseaph.] [ Via, Bluff.] VICTORIA.. MELBOURNE, June 16. Public attention continues centred on the Reform Bill, the debate on which still continues. It is expected to be concluded this week, though many members have not yet spoken. Mr Servic?, in a speech last week, clearly intimated that the only possible course open to the Government in the event of a failure to obtain the statutorymajority wos to appeal to the country. By the numerous meetings throughout the colony public attention is evidently being aroused. Several Ministers have already visited or are about to visit, the districts. Opposition meetings are also being held, though not so numerous as the Ministerial ones. Some uncertainty regarding the Drogress of the Poyment of Members Bill wa9 felt, but it was arranged that the discussion on the Bill would be resumed on the 16th, the Government facilitating the measure as Mr Williams consented to limit the operation of the measure to the present Parliament and the first session of the next. It is now, however, stated that a misunderstanding has arisen regarding the resumption of the debate, Mr Service declining to allow the Reform. Bill to be delayed. It is possible that a special sitting will be arranged. Important amendments are expected in committee. An inquiry in Parliament on the 10th elicited a statement from Mr Gillies to the effect that within one yesr over £6OOO had been paid by the authority of Mr Eord of the Railway department, to one firm, without calling for tenders, which would have been on an average 59 per cent, below the prices paid. The statement created a sensation in Parliament, and a committee o£ inquiry was moved for. Mr Eord has since caused an explanation to be published, which is not considered as altogether satisfactory. The Exhibition Commissioners are pushing on the work in order to receive exhibits at an early date. Triekett arrived in Melbourne on the 14th, and proceeded yesterday per the Orient to England. NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, June 17. Great satisfaction is felt at the termination of the Newcastle strike. The Wallsend and co-operative men at first held out for four shillings per ten shillings selling ton. On Tuesday they rescinded the resolution passed to the above effect, and finally agreed to commence work under the new agreement. It is expected that all the miners will be at work shortly. A large number of vessels are waiting for cargoes, and a better trade is expected than for some time past. Mr Parkes, at a municipal dinner, intimated that a general election would take place before the end of the year. Parliament is expected to cloee in about a fortnight. A man was arrested on the Bth on suspicion of being Joseph Byrne, the bushranger. He waß proved to be Joseph Tuck, of Victoria. It is stated that his resemblance to Byrne is very remarkable. A large number of Trickett's friends assembled at the hotel on Saturday night to wish him success. Mr Punch was present, and said that he expected to visit England shortly, when he intended to endeavor to arrange a match between Triekett and Lay cock against two English scullers. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. ADELAIDE, June 16. The Electoral Bill was read a second time on the Bth. It increases the Assembly from forty-six to fifty-two members, and creates, four new northern districts by subdivision. On the second reading of the Bill it met with some opposition. Mr Glyde pointed out that it must lie on the table of the House of Commons for a month before receiving the Royal assent, and that consequently the measure was too late for the present session. It is probable that the Bill will be shelved for the present. QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, June 16. Justice M. Intwych's died rather suddenly on the 12th. He had just received a month's leave on account of ill health. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. The Siam arrived at Albany on the morning of the 9th, but owing to the interruption of the West Australian line, was not reported until the night of the 10th.