AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2003, 26 July 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[BY TBLB9BAPH.] [Per Botomahana.'J VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, July 20. The general election took place the day of the departure of the last mail. The result has been a great surprise. The Ministerial party, who cenfidently anticipated a small majority, apparently were unaware that the Oatholics would give almost a solid vote against them. There is little doubt but that they largely contributed to the result. Every, thing passed off quietly, nothwibhstanding the intense excitement. As the election returns arrived during the evening from eight till midnight, vast crowds thronged Collins street, principally opposite the newapaper offices, ■where the returcs were poßted. It ia estimated that thirty or foity thousand persons were assembled, and the traffio opposite the " Argus" office was entirely blocked. A noisy manifestation was made as each result was known, but there was a total absence of I violence. A large police force was in readiness. The entire business community centered at the Melbourne Exohange, and there awaited the returns. The principal surprises consisted in the Emeral Hill election ; in Madden'e narrow majority at Sandridge of thirty-one only; in Mclntyre'a defea>, at Sandhurst 5 in Robertson's, atPolworth ; in Joseph Jones, at Villiere; also in the victory of L. L. Smith, for Richmond. Wrixon, for Portland, easily defeated Webßter, the Ministerial candidate. The Ministers lost seats in several other places were their success was confidently anticipated. Tho final returns show 35 Ministerialists, 44 for the Opposition, and 7 independents, whose probable act oi ia now the subject of much speculation. It was fully expected that the Ministry would resign at once, and several favored thia course, but, in view of the desirability of voting supplies before the new Ministers go to the country for re-election, it was deoided to meet the Parliament, who accordingly eas-mble on Thursday. The House, it is expected, will meet for two days, after which a vote of want of confidence will probably be introduced and carried without much discussion. The general opinion is that Mr Lalor will get the speakership, though Mr Grant's name is also mentioned. It is understood that the Liberals intimated to Mr Berry before tho elections that, in the event of their success, they would not sanction the re-appointment of the old Ministry. Sir B. O'Loughlin will probably be raised to the Bench, and the others be appointed to various positions. ~.^, J ; Sir J. O'Shannassy, in his speech at Belfast, said he would aot in a constitutional manner. It ia generally agreed on all sides that his position is very strong, although his following ia not numerous. There is much talk regarding a probable coalition between >iitti and Mr Berry, but it is manifestly premature. The action of the. Ministry in leaving the Opposition to move a vote of want of the confidence will probably throw some light on future relations between those who led the Opposition. In any case the new Ministry is expeoted to have a difficult task. The nomination paper of Mr Williams, for Mandurang, ia stated to be informal, and a fresh election will probably have to take place. NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, July 20. News from Noumea of the 9th of July atatea that the general amnesty ia disbelieved there. The editor of a aonrrilloua newapaper has been fined eleven thousand francs, and imprisoned for fourteen months, for libel. Mr Heaton, one of the proprietors of tbe "Evening Star," ia aerioualy ill of gastric fever at Melbourne. Mr Higginbotham's acceptance of a judgeship of the Supreme Court in succession to Justice Fellows, haa given general satisfaction, v Mrs Austin, widow of Thos. Austin, undertaker, haa erected tho entire building of the hospital for incurables at her sole cost. [COMPENSATION OOTJET. Monday, Joty 26. [Before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston and Messrs J. T. Ford and John Matson, Assessors.] The Court opened at 11 a m. SVHITB Y MINISTBB 808 PUBLIO WOBKB. Thia was a claim for compenaation brought by the claimant for £ISOO, as compensation for the taking of 3r 34p of land at Addington by the Government for the purposes of the railway. ' The Government tendered £6OO in full of all demands, whioh was refused by the claimant. The claimant then appointed Mr J. T. Ford as hia assessor, and the Minister appointed Mr John Matson to aot in the same capacity. Mr Joynt appeared for the claimant. Mr George Harper, instructed by Messrs Duncan and Cotterill, for the Minister. The plaintiff called Messrs Walton, Cuff, Lean, J. G. Ruddenklau, and the [claimant, David White, who deposed that the value of the land in question would be in 1878 about £BOO per acre. For the Minister of Publio Works Mr Harper called evidence as follows : Mr Whitelaw, who deposed that he knew the land for which compensation had been claimed. He put the value per acre down at £450, with 25 per cent, added for compulsory taking by the Government. Mr Hawkes deposed that the value he put on the land in question in 1878 was £SOO per acre, that was £4OO value, and 25 per cent, for compulsory taking. Sections could not conveniently be cut out of the block. Mr Bell also gave evidence. Mr George Ticknor deposed to having sold in March, 1878, the piece of land out of which Crewe township was taken at £250 per acre. He should have wanted more had he known the Government workshops were coming up there. Mr P. Norgate deposed that he had purchased sections in Crewe Township to the north of White's land. He had paid £194 per quarter-acre on terms, with 8 per cent, interest added. He had paid 25 per cent., but did not intend to pay more. Thia closed the case. Counsel on both sides deolinod to address the Court. After a short absence the Court gave judgment for £786 and costs.