AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2040, 7 September 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tbieqeaph.] The greater part of the Australian news, per s.s. Te Anau, was given in our issue of yesterday. The following are additional items :

MELBOURNE, August 31. The Assembly met on Tuesday, when the Government introduced a Bill empowering the Government to issue Treasury Bills, anticipating the revenue, the object being to provide for current expenditure before taxation is due. The Ministry will adjourn for the opening of the Exhibition. But the length of the vacation depends on the business. It is now stated that the Budget, which it was intended to introduce next week, will be postponed till after the vacation. Mr Berry proposes Exchequer Bills to run two years, and hopes that the demand for the same will enable the Government to reduce the Bank overdraft at 6 per cent, interest. It is expected that the proposition will be warmly discussed. The Cabinet are considering the Civil Service reforms, and large reductions are contemplated. The proportions are not yet determined, but the large salaries will probably be docked 20 per cent. The Ministry intend giving good notices of the proposed changes, and the reduotion_will take effect either from November Ist or January Ist. Messrs Dale, A. T. Clark, Langridge, and Richardson, accompanied several members of the Harbor Trust on a tour inspection at the works on Thursday. The Government are willing to adopt a Bill, but some difficulty is still in the way regarding payment for the land. Mr Langridge states that the Government are willing to proceed with a measure, and negotiations have been opened with a view of obtaining the consent of the Trust to certain modifications to Mr Nimmo’s Bill of last session. The question, however, is still unsettled. To prepare the land for a harbor it must be raised at an expense of nearly £IOOO an acre. The Trust, therefore, urges the Government to deal liberally in the matter. The Government proposal was that the Trust should pay forty or fifty thousand pounds sterling, or according to the valuation of tho SurveyorGeneral. This the Trust declined unanimously. The approaching Mayoral election is attrading attention. Aldermen Mowbray and Baton are mentioned, and the re-election of the present Mayor, Mr Meares, is also considered a well deserved compliment. In the Supreme Court, Fiji, a divorce has been granted against tho wife of Mr William Soott, barrister, on the ground of unfaithfulness to her husband during his absence. The judge also gave £IOOO damages against the co-respondent, who holds the position of Attorney-General. The reported sticking up at Beechworth proves to be a fabrication by Mrs Heath to screen herself from her husband for lending a gun without leave. The Governors of New Caledonia and Fiji have written that they are unable to attend the opening of the Exhibition. The Governors of Tasmania and Western Australia have both accepted the invitation. The annual exhibition of merino long wool sheep was held at Messrs Goldsboro’s warehouse on Monday and Tuesday. The Governor presented the prizes on Monday. The exhibits are small but select.

Mr Arthur Garner, comedian, shipped, per Ouzco, a case of watches valued at £IOOO. On the arrival of the steamer it was found that the ease was stolen, and no clue to the thieves has yet been obtained. The conduct of the house surgeon of the hospital in trepanning Greer without consulting tho other surgeons formed the subject of a discussion by the hospital committee. Dr. Gilbert, at the meeting, said that the medical profession did not consider Greer’s case to be one of emergency. The meeting consequently resolved to request Dr. James to give his reasons for considering the case as such. A few of Greer’s friends have resolved to send his widow back to England by an early steamer. The Commissioners have finally resolved to open the Exhibition on October Ist, and have definitely fixed August 30th as the last day to receive exhibits, unless under very exceptional eases.

A special meeting of the Harbor Trust unanimously confirmed the decision of an informal meeting last week, deoUning to accept tho Government proposal to purchase the land required for improving the harbor. SYDNEY, August 31. The Turf Club has altered its date of meet ing from the 18th to the 13th of September, in order that Sir Hercules Robinson may be present. Ten thousand gallons of water were sent from Sydney to Grafton last week, owing to the extreme scarcity in that place, and sold at twopence per gallon. A telegram from San Francisco states that the incoming steamer left two days before contract time.

The case against the “Evening Nows” proprietors has been adjourned to enable the Judges to consider whether they can hear a justification charge of incapacity against Judge Windeyer. It is not expected that the Bennetts will apologise further than stating that they had no intention to impute corrupt motives. HOBART TOWN, August 31.

The official statistics for Tasmania for the past year shows that the exports amounted to £130,000, and the imports £126,000. The population was 112,000.