AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2050, 18 September 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

' [Br Telegbaph.J [Per s.B, Eotorua, at tho Blnff.] MELBOURNE, September 10. It is stated that a nugget weighing one hundred and forty ounces has been found at Tcmors. It is feared that two-thirds of the sugar cane planted in Clarence will perish through heavy frosts. . It is hoped that the drought is now ended, though water is very scarce in many parts. Bills for tho abolition of plural voting and the alteration of the salaries of future Governors and of tho present Ministers, have been introduced. The Harbor Trust Bill was read a second time, after but little opposition, and referred to a Select Committee. The Reform Bill passed its first reading in tho Assembly on the Bth. The second read, ing is postponed until after the Exhibition recess. Tho Plural Voting Abolition Bill was also read a first time, and the second reading will take place next week. Mr Wrixon has crossed the Chamber, and taken his seat in the Opposition corner. Mr Berry consequently pointed out that the Ministerialists were in a minority on the Elections Qualifications Committee. Subsequently Sir B. O’Loughlin and Mr Wrixon resigned their seats on the Oommitteq? the former alleging the pressure of private business. The vacancies are filled by Ministerialists. In pursuance of a decision of a caucus of Ministerialists, Mr Gaunson was elected Chairman of Committee. Mr Longmore reminded the House of a recent reso-

lution of the caucus to expel Mr Gaunson; and said his election now was “ treason to hia party and the country.” Mr Mason quoted tho speech of Mr Gaunson that the Berry Government lived on treachery, bribery, and corruption, and Mr Murray Smith instanced the present election as a strong argument against government by caucus. In the Assembly on Thursday, the Payment of Members Bill was read a second time by a majority of twenty-two. Amendments were made for separate payments of the Assembly and Council, and to reduce salaries to £2OO, but were lost. Mr Berry, in the Assembly, said he did not intend to re-open the border duties question. Overtures must now como from tho other side, his last communication remaining without reply. There was an angry altercation in the Assembly on the subject of tho unemployed. Finally Mr Service promised to support the Government in resisting excessive wages. Dr. L. L. Smith, in the Assembly on Wednesday, proposed that Government guarantee a dividend of 10 per cent, to any steamship company bringing passengers for the Exhibition at fares from £7 to £25. Mr Berry opposed the motion, which was unanimously rejected. Dr. L. L. Smith has introduced a Bill in tho Assembly to legalise the totalisator. The Chamber of Commerce has resolved to communicate with other Chambers with a view to a conference, during the Exhibition, to endeavour to bring the Australasian colonies within the general postal union. It is not known what view tho Government take.

A deputation of shipmasters have presented a petition in favour of the commutation of the sentence of Captain Thomson, of the Trocheaguo. The Governor declined to remit the sentence.

At the Bam Show Mr Gumming refused fifteen hundred for the champion ram Duke, it being impossible to replace the animal. The breeders generally have found it difficult to obtain full value for their rams.

Several prominent Government officials are now entitled to pensions, including the Chief Commissioner of Police, Captain Standish, the Inspector-General of Penal Establishments, the Government printer, MrFerreoberry, now superannuated. No now appointments are expected. Mr Nicholson will probably act in Captain Standish’s place. Owing to the latter’s approaching retirement it io considered unlikely that any inquiry about the police with reference to the Kellys will be held. A number of officers in the Navy have also received notice that their services will be dispensed with, including Lieutenants Heathcote, Vigo and Leslie. Mr Berry has announced his intention to abolish the Artillery Corps, which now costs £16,000 annually, Mr Mirams has resigned the secretaryship of the Reform League. The American sailing vessel Erie the Red, 1580 tons, is a total wreck off Capa Otway. She had aboard a cargo of exhibits for the Melbourne Exhibition. The steamer Dawn, going to Warrnambool, succeeded in saving twenty-three of the crew and passengers, but four are still missing, and are supposed to be drowned. The captain states the ship went to pieces ton minutes after, striking. She was uninsured for a single dollar. He accounts for the aocident through a haze obscuring the horizon and making the lights seem further off than they really were. A large quantity of wreckage has drifted in ashore at Apoliokey, and the wreck was sold at the Melbourne Exchange for. £4lO. Several steamers have gone to Opoliokey to recover wreckage. The body of a man dreadfully mutilated was found at Cape Otway on Tuesday. The papers found on him prove him to be Edmund Dobson, the steward of Eric the Bed. Mr Thomas Higinbotham, the railway engineer, was found dead in bed on Monday morning. He was the brother of Mr Justice Higinbotham. At the coroner’s inquest a verdict of “ Died from natural causes " was given. The event has created wide regret, as he had exhibited no previous signs of declining health.

The quickest passage from Australia on record has been made by the Liguria, which delivered the mails in London thirty-two days from Adelaide.

The Exhibition Commissioners have resolved to open on Saturday nights, and also to issue season tickets. Commissioner Sandford feared the gas might injure the pictures if the place were opened at night, and said ha must telegraph Home for instructions. At a meeting of the Eellows of the Royal Colonial Institute committee, it was resolved to present an address of welcome to the Duke of ‘Manchester. The Governor has consented with pleasure that the address be presented at Government House.

The Association of Banks has received a telegram that the prospect of the now loan is very hopeful. Tenders will probably be called on tho 28th inst. Ned Kelly is now able to move about with ease. The application of a change of venue to Melbourne will shortly be made in court. Special arrangements are being made for the journey of Sir H. Robinson from Sydney to Melbourne. It is expected that the distance will be accomplished in twenty hours. The result of the All England match has given tho liveliest satisfaction. The -general belief prevails that had Spofforth played the team would have secured a victory. Mrs Greer left the hospital on the 7th, and her friends have arranged her passage per the Chimborazo. Captain Frank, however, refused to permit her to remain on board. News from Noumea states that 1000 pardoned Communists left for France. SYDNEY, September 10.

Prom tho Loyalty Group reports state that all '.is quiet. It is stated that the Catholics since their recent defeat intend to all turn Protestants, being disappointed at the Government neglect in aiding them to punish the latter. BRISBANE, September 10. It is stated that the loaders of the Opposition telegraphed to tho London “Times” that they refuse to recognise the ratification of tho mail contract by the Government, and that tho Opposition will continue to resist the subsidy. ADELAIDE, September 10. During the speech of tho Treaaurerjon tho 7th ho attacked Mr Glydo for previously doubling his word. Mr Glyde, in replying, was stopped by the deputy-speaker, and he thereupon told tho Speaker that ho did not know bis duty. The words were ultimately withdrawn, but only after a lively scone. The new South Australian Investment Association has been launched in London. Its promoters are Sir John Danvill, Hon. Grosvenor, Messrs Fraser, Mclntosh, and Murray. The capital is half a million. Captain Osborne, formerly of the Kaipunda mine, proceede to New Zealand to report on tho mineral oil discovered there. Captain Halmond, owner and master of the Hydrabod, which was wrecked on the Now Zealand coast, sues the Mercantile and Marino Insurance Company of South Australia for £3OOO, salvage, average, and expenses. Sir Hercules Robinson is expected to attend the September meeting of the Jockey Olub.| A man was stuck up at Monarto station on Monday. The police pursued and captured the assailant, who gave the name of Thos. Bailey.