AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2043, 10 September 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Br Tblkqbaph.] [Via Buaaell.] SYDNEY, September 4. A seam of coal has been disaovered at the rocky mouth of the Lower Clarence, and has already boen sunk through for two feet in thickness.

The Bev. Ralph Masefield, who was editor of the " Sydney Morning Herald " from 1840 to 1854, is dead. The prospects of Payne'e Gully, Grenfell, are enoouraging. Claims are pegged off for upwards of a mile. A rush is expected. At Victoria Flat, near Tuena, thirty tons have yielded 50ozs. of gold. A sharp newspaper correspondence has taken place between the Bev. Jefferies and Mr Prootor. The former challenged the latter's deductions from a religious point of view, and the latter made a trenchent reply. Similar correspondence has taken place between various writers relative to Mr Prooter's proposed lecture on Sunday at the Theatre Boyal. Some rich pyrites, raised from a depth of -380 ft. in the Reform Company, Lucknow, are estimated to be worth £3OOO per ton. The Colonial Secretary, on behalf of the Government, has intimated to Mr Procter that the Government cannot allow the theatres to be open on Sundays for lectures. Mr Procter published his reply, which stated that he had taken the opinion of counsel, who bad advised him that lectures would not be an infrac ion of the law. MELBOURNE, September 4. Mr Berry, in the Assembly on Thursday, stated that he had taken steps to float the balanca of the last loan in the London market, the day to be fixed by the Banks; to be probably in the middle of October. The minimum would be fixed by the Government.

The Commissioner of Bailways, in consequence of the Board enquiry exonerating Mr Pord, engineer fcr construction, has reinstated Mr Ford and dispensed with the services of Mr Green, who had been appointed by Mr Service's Government in his stead. Mr Higginbotham has formally protested. Replying to a deputation of the antiChinese League, Mr Berry promised to confer with the other colonies with reference to the prevention of the influx of Chinese. At a Cabinet meeting on Friday Ministers arranged to overhaul their various departments, and to make as many dismissals as possible. It is expected that they will bo numerous in the Customs and Lands departments.

ADELAIDE, September 4. There was a sharp debate in the Assembly on Thursday re Mr Boothby's case. Some contended that the service was suffering from the long delay in decidfcg the question ; others considered the Government right in giving the the fullest inquiry respecting an officer with such long service. During the discussion on the Licensed Victuallers Bill, an attempt was made to render legal a contract for a publican to obtain beer from one brewer exclusively, but the feeling of the House was adverse. The attempt to legislate against music, dancing and theatricals taking place at hotels also failed. The export duty on gold is generally condemned in the Northern territory. It is stated that the Paris Exhibition Commissioners have handed Mr Bcothby £I2OO for his personal expenses at the Exhibition. BRISBANE, September 4. The Brisbane " Courier," whioh ordinarily issues Hansard in a broad sheet form, omitted any issue on the 2nd, and also any,Council Hansard for the 3rd, in consequence of legal advice that they can be held responsible for libellous matters in the debates. The special remarks on these occasions Were taken from the Minister of Works in connection with a witness before the committee of inquiry re Hemmant'a petition respecting the Premier's purchase of rails in London; also in the Council, strictures affecting the Government printers. It is believed that the Government will telegraph the ratification of the mail service contract, accepting responsibility with regard to Parliament. A demurrer relative to the Premier's right to the seal of Parliament will be argued in full Court on Tuesday. The blackß rushed Mr Fitzgerald's surveyor's camp at Johnston River, and killed the man in charge and looted the camp.