AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2053, 22 September 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Br Telegraph.] [Per s.B. Ringaroomo, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, September 16. Storm floods were exceptionally sever# in Victoria on the 10;h, 11th, and 12th. The rain commenced on Friday and continued almost incessantly till Sunday night. During Saturday and Sunday a violent gale from the South-East delayed the arrival of the Assam and several other steamers. The barque Hedea was driven ashore at Queenscliffi) and the schooner. Trader had a similar misfortune at Warnamb'ool. All outward-bound steamers, fearing to face the gale, took shelter at Queanacliff. Tho storm abated on Sunday night. Continuous rain swelled the Yarra, arid on Sunday earned it to speedily overflow, Housoholders'in the low-lying districts, being forewarned, removed their furniture and effects, but considerable damage was nevertheless done to property in Richmond, S indridge, and Flinders streets. From Sb. Kilda road to Emerald Hill was a vast lake of waier, and pouring across tho main road was a great stream 150 yards wide. At Brighton the principal thoroughlares and many of the gardens were completely flooded. On Monday afternoon the waters began to subside. No further signs of rain arc visible, and it is hoped that tho worst has now passed, although much land is still under water.

A meeting of the Racing Club yesterday resolved to postpone the complimentary Robinson meeting until Monday, when it is expected that the Flemington Course ,which has been inundated, will be sufficiently dry to admit of racing. There was much disappointment that the meeting was not held on Saturday, because it is the only day when many are able to attend. Professor Procter Icc'-wes iu Melbourne on tho 20lh, and then he sails for New Zealand.

A Cabinet Council on Monday decided on tho scale of reductions for the Civil Service salaries. The scale will be :—Below £2OO will bo untouched ; up to £7OO, 10 per cent, on £SOO ; above £7OO, 15 per cent, on the whole.

The University of New Zealand has accepted the services of the following:—Melbourne Examiners —English Language and Literature, Professor Elkington; Modern Languages and Literature, Professor Strong ; General History and Political Economy, Professor Elkington ; Jurisprudence, MrHacketf; Roman Law, Mr Hackett; Consti'.utional History, Professor Poarscn; Mathematics, Professor Manson; Physical Science, Mr Pirani; Mental Science, Mr Pirani; English Law, Mr Higgins; Greek Language and Literature, Professor Leeper; Latin, Professor Leoper; Philology, Professors Strong and Leeper. The Exhibition Commissioners entertained Sir Hercules Robinson at luncheon in the Ladies’ Court of tho Exhibition on Tuesday. A number of ladies were present. Sir Alfred Stephen presented the address, and Sir Hercules Robinson briefly acknowledged, and said that if his own inclinations were consulted he would not turn bis book on Australia, as he liked the people, the climate, and the work ; but, as a servant of tho Crown, he felt bound to go where ho was most useful. Sir H. Robinson, accompanied by Sir Henry Parkes, travelled from Sydney to Melbourne overland. Arrangements were made for completing the journey in the fastest possible time, no stoppage being made e)i route. Ho reached Melbourne in twenty hours, the shortest passage ever made. The Victorian Government provided a special train at Wodonga, where Lord Normauby met his guest, and whence a new State carriage conveyed tho vice regal parly to Melbourne. BRISBANE, September 16. In the case of Miles Mollwraith suing the Queensland Premier judgment was given on Tuesday for the plaintiff on all points. Tho judge further held that a contractor under Government, though only a trustee, was liable to tho penalty under the Constitution Act.

Tho Colonial Secretary reported that instructions had been forwarded to ths Agent General at London to despatch eight ships annually with not mbrp than 275 emigrants in each. The appeal of the New Zealand Insurance Company against the South British has been dismissed.

£Per a.s. Rotomahana, at Russell.] SYDNEY, September 16. Sir H. Robinson was entertained on the 14th at the Garden Palace by the Exhibition Commissioners, and formally presented with the address of the citizens adopted prior to his assuming the Government of New Zealand, but retained here for engrossing and illuminating. The same evening he was banquetted at the Town Hall, 2000 being present. On the evening of the 15th he started by special train to Melbourne, accompanied by Sir H. Parkes, and will be received at Albury by Lord Normanby, the Duke of Manchester, and members of the Ministry, who left Melbourne by special train for the purpose.

The Government have notified their intention of withdrawing a further £200,000 from the Banks to balance the special deposits, which hereafter will be £750,000. Mr David Buchanan, M.P., has published a statement that the Attorney-General had informed him that he had given the Premier a written opinion prior to Sir H. Parkes’ action in tho matter, that the delivery of Mr Proctor’s lecture would be perfectly legal, and not legally preventable. The official explanation furnished to the “Herald ” admits the facts, but slates that Sir H. Parkes’ subsequent action was not iu conflict with the opinion given. Mr Bright’s Sunday lecture, with payment at tho doors, wits held without interference, but it was understood that the officials present were noting the proceedings with a view to legal action. The Government received official communications from the representatives of all the Protestant churches, approving Sir H. Parkes’ action. It is understood that the name of Mr P. A. Jennings has been submitted to tho Queen for K.C.M.G., also Sir Daniel Cooper and Mr John Davis, member of the Assembly, for O.M.G. The latter distinction is severely animadverted upon by some of the local journals. A requisition has been presented to tho Water Police Magistrate, Sydney, asking him to convene a meeting of Justices to take steps to prevent the issue of music licenses. The Governor goes to Melbourne a week hence, accompanied by several Ministers, and will remain for the opening of the Exhibition.

Night schools under tho Education Act will bo shortly inaugurated. Tho Government business has been redistributed among the different Ministers. The Hon. Bowie Wilson has received an acknowledgment from Francis A. Newman, of the address and presentation lately forwarded by the Free Thinkers of Sydney. MELBOURNE, September 16.

Mr Berry moved the second reading of a Bill to issue half a million of Treasury Bills at five per cent., and explained that the revenue was short of tho estimate by £60,000 in the last two years. Mr Service said that at the end of October the deficiency in all would amount to a million. The Second reading was passed. Tho Treasurer makes [his budget speech of the 28th.

The Surgical Hospital staff has unanimously decided that tho surgeon of the same was qaiie justified in operating on tho late Mr Greer.

Tho unemployed are very troublesome at the Government offices. Mr Berry informed a deputation that he had done all he could, and declined to see more deputations. The lessee of the People’s Theatre offers £250 for tho best Australian drama by an Australian author.

Mr Garner, Crown Solicitor, and Mr Lestrange, Chief Clerk of Criminal Business, are’among the dismissals in the law offices, and Messrs Sprent and Greville in the Customs.

Edward Spann, tho jeweller, is insolvent. Ho accounted for the disappearance of a largo portion of his stock by stating that tho Customs seized a large quantity of jewellery for the non-payment of duty. Some startling evidence was given about his mode of transacting business. BRISBANE, September 16. The Assembly on tho 14th discussed tho Northern Territory duties. Mr Landrie’s proposition to sell the sole right to sell opium and spirits W»» rejected; also an amendment designed to establish the entire South Australian tariff at Port Darwin. The following duties were agreed to—Opium, £1 per lb. ; rice. Id potf lb ; sugar, 5s per owt.; spirits, 10s per gallon ; tobacco, 2s 2d per lb.; cigars and snuff, 5a per lb.; wino 4s, beerOd, per gallon ; tea, fid per lb. Tho gold export duty was fixed at 3s fid.