AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2075, 18 October 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

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[Per s.s. Rotomahana, at Bluff.] MELBOURNE, October 12. Those who paid for admission into the Exhibition during the past week averaged about 3000 daily, except on Saturday, when the number exceeded 7000, notwithstanding the counter attraction of the Strauss Band at the Flemington racecourse. Many of the courts are still busy preparing, but as the admission of exhibits is now stopped, it is expected all will be completed at an early date. The complaints made in connection with the refreshment contracts continue. The supply and the catering generally is far from giving satisfaction. About 7000 cards were issued to the conversazione on Thursday night to the. Exhibition building. A formal protest has been made by the foreign commissioners against the lighting of the Fxhibition. The British fine art gallery will be entirely closed.

Lord Loftus and a distinguished party were entertained at luncheon at Daniliquin on Friday. In a speech, he warmly advocated Australian confederation, and appealed to the colonists to enreavor to progress in that direction. The Duke of Manchester hoped the Australians would have direct representatives in the Imperial Parliament and a voice in the government of the empire. Sir J. O’Shanassy, on the same occasion, favored intercolonial Free Trade. The speeches were very favorably jteoeived. Messrs Berry and Langridgo were enter* tained at a political gathering at Clunes yesternight. Mr Berry made a speech, wherein he attributed the failure to pass true Liberal measures to the obstruction of the Council and the factious opposition of the Conservatives. He declared ho wonld endeavor to render the Assembly absolutely supremo, and would submit his Reform Bill shortly after the recess, and he promised that the measure would bring the Council within the reasonable control of the people. Mj: Berry has decided to reinstate Mr Farrell, Parliamentary Librarian, at a salary of five hundred per annum. Mr Knaggs, having intimated his desire to be re-appointed returning officer for West Melbourne, Mr Berry reinstated him. Alderman Mowbray waa aocordingl y requested to resign, which he refused to do. The Executive Council yesterday, nevertheless, reappointed Mr Knaggs. Messrs Richardson, Crowe, and other returning officers, whom Mr Service dismissed on the ground of political partisanship, have been reinstated. The “ Argus ” and other papers severely condemn the re-appointment. Onthe receipt of the news that the Albion was in difficulties, the steamers Rescue and Williams proceeded to her assistance and towed her safely to Melbourne, where she is undergoing repairs. It is stated in an Adelaide telegram to the “Age’’that Sir George Straban will not go •to Tasmania, and that Sir John Lefroy will continue there.

SYDNEY, October 12. While returning to Sydney, Sir John Bobortaon yesterday delivered a speech at Deniliquin on the land question. He referred specially to the manifesto recently drawn up by the selectors’ conference, and gave it to be understood that he would be opposed to the utmost to the conference’s programme. He also spoke on the border duties question, expressing a strong opinion that the colonies should levy duties only on the seaboard, and that border customs should be altogether abolished.

Sir H. Farkes has arrived at Melbourne, where he will stay for a week. It is officially reported that a silver and lead mine has bean discovered 120 miles to the north-east of Merindee, near the South Australian border. The reef is 4ft wide, and has already been traced 300 yards. BRISBANE, October 12.

A workingmen's mass meeting on Saturday protested against the ratification of the mail contract. It was resolved to send a cablegram to the London “ Times,” expressing repudiation because the contract was contrary to the constitution. About 500 persons were present, most of whom took no part in the proceedings. The telegram which it was agreed to send was as follows:—“ Business places in metropolis closed during immense open air meeting repudiating mail contract proceedings of Government as unconstitutional.”