AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2076, 19 October 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Br Tklegbaph.]

rYia Bußsell.]

SYDNEY, Ootober 13.

The Hydra rush in the Coomra district, ia a rank duffer. The original prospector who hoisted the red flag was a local publican. A meeting of farmers at Carcoar adopted a resolution to use their influence to secure the passing in Parliament of an ad valorem sliding scale against imported produce from other colonies.

The advertised meeting of the committee appointed by the recent public j meetings to arrange for a subscription to recoup the " Evening News" the fine and coßts brought by the recent contempt case, lapsed, only three being present beside reporters. It is stated in some quarters that arrangements hod previously been made, and consequently the committee did not attend, but that the subseription is proceeding. A. prospeot of a grain and a-half to the dish washed out at a claim on the baok of the lands at Bermagin, is causing a little rush there again, but the field is regarded as exceedingly doubtful, and there are far too many there already. It is reported that four bodies have been washed ashore fifteen miles north of Bermago. It is supposed that they are the remains of the party whioh included Mr Lamont, the Government geologist, whose boat had previously been found stoved in on the beach. Recent discoveries of gold in the bank of the Walladilly creek, at Temora, have been made. Great importance is attached to the find. The nature of the strata and wash, it is believed, indicate that a new lead, following the old bed of the river, has been struck. The excitement at the Janga rush, near Bida, has increased. One hundred men are on the ground, but the authorities have regarded the affair as unimportant. TIOTOEIA, Ootober 13. The night opening of the Exhibition continues to he muoh debated. The New South Wales Commissioners have sent back their invitations to the proposed conversazione and several foreign Commissioners notify that they will olose their courts with substantial shutters if the building is lighted on Thursday night. The rumor that 120 post omcials are to be dismissed is officially contradicted. ADELAIDE, October 13.

The immigration vote of fifteen thousand passed the Assembly with little opposition. An amendment, to reduce it to five thousand pounds, has been withdrawn. In the Assembly, Mr West, of Erskine, severely animadverted on the conduct of the Agent-General in reference to the defective rails supplied by Messrs Hopkins, Gilks and Company, of Middle ton, for the Port Augusta railway. He charged him with a series of blunders. The Treasurer defended the AgentGeneral, but the Commissioner of Works admitted he had possibly committed an error of judgment to allow six shiploads of defective rails to leave England after his attention had been called to a fraud being committed.

BRISBANE, October 13. A Bill to reduce the Supreme Court Judges from three to two passed the Assembly for its second reading. The Opposition have resolved not to allow the session to olose till the Supreme Court has decided if the Premier, Mr Mcllwraith, and the Colonial Secretary, Mr Palmer, have forfeited their seats by acting as Government contractors. This will depend on the issue of the case Miles v Mcllwraith, now sub-judice.

[Per s.s. Kotomahana, at the Bluff.] A portion of the Australian news per the above ship appeared in our issue of yesterday. The following are additional items: — MELBOURNE, October 12.

The proposed naval and military display has been modified, and it is now decided to hold a roview at Flemington racecourse on the Prinee of Wales' birthday. The Raoing Club gives the use of the ground free, and it is expected that 4000 military, volunteers, blue jackets, and the marines of the ships of war will take part. The Social Soienco congress, in connection with the Exhibition, commenced its session yesterday, and it is expec.ed to last six weeks ; 400 were present. Mr Ellery, president, delivered an inaugural address, describing the origin of the congress and sketching the nature of the labor whioh it was intended to undertake, expressing a hope that a permanent organisation would result from the movemont. Other speakers followed in the same strain. The education seotion, presided over by the Bishop of Melbourne, meets this afternoon. The Exhibition Commissioners notify that any exhibitor selling goods in the building or grounds will forfeit his rights as an exhibitor.

A large number gathered at Flemington on Saturday, including the Governor, his family and suite, Sir W. Jervois and lady, to hear the first performance of the Austrian band. Altogether, it is computed that fifteen thousand were present. There were only fortyseven performers in the band, some having scarcely recovered from the effects of the voyage, but the performance ehowed a combination of very high order, and their performance in the Town Hall yesternight was numerously attended. The leader of the band, Baron Alves F. Weldwer, stands high in the musical world. He was fifteen years senior Professor of the Leipsio Conservatoire of Music.

Communications have been exchanged between Mr • Berry and the Chief Seoretary of Tasmania regarding Colonel Soratohley, whose joint engagement by the colonies is about expired. The " Age " states that it is now considered that the defenoe works wore sufficiently advanced to be carried on without Colonel Scratchley's supervision. The Frenchman named Boiltor, whose jewellery was seized, interviewed the Commissioner of Customs on Thursday, declaring his ignorance of the laws and promising a satisfactory explanation. The Commissioner afterwards wrote to Boiltor, asking if he would allow him ■ (Mr Clark) to decide the matter. Boiltor agreeing, Mr Clark decided to fine him three times tfce value of the jewellery, whioh the order estimated at £450. The Customs valued it at £IOOO. A second seizure of smuggled jewellery was made on Saturday, when a packet valued at £SO was discovered in a keg of fat on tho wharf. The Commissioner again fined tho smuggler, a steward on board a coasting steamer, three times the value of the jewellery. A third seizure was made yesterday, when jewellery valued at £SO was discovered amongst the effects of passengers per Benown just arrived from England. The burglar who entered Government House last month and stole £l5O worth of jewellery from Miss Bobinaon, Mrs Finlay, and Mrs St. John, has been captured. Suspicion fell upon a well-known old English burglar, named Barnes, who served a sentence in Australia. His movements were watched, and he then decamped to Sydney. The police arrested him, and many articles of jewellery were recovered. The South Australian steamer from Adelaide on Friday brought thirty-five merino rams, destined for the flocks of Messrs B. Wilkin and Co., Christchuroh, and Johnston, of Kaihika. The animals were selected by Mr IX ford, of New Zealand, and are highly spoken of. The " Argus " states that the opening of Goldsborough's wool sales on the 6th proved a great attraction to the trade. English, American, and Continental buyers were largely represented. Bidding was spirited, the advance averaging 10 per cent. The Frozen Meat Company's freezing chamber is almost completed, and the work of freezing carcases for London will be immediately oommenced. At a court-martial on board the Wolverine a marine named Dale was sentenced to eighteen months for stealing money from his messmate. The wardroom steward got twelve months for dishonesty. The steamer Pharos has returned from King's Island, where she had been in search for traces of the ship J. L. Griffith, from Adelaide to Hobart Town. She visited the islands and coasts without finding the slightest trace of the ship. The fate of the vessel is still unknown.

Superintendent Hare has been laid up with a severe attack of erysipelas, consequent upon the wound in his wrist.

Mr Thompson has received a telegram from Trickett stating that he was never better, and feels confident of retaining the championship of the world.

Mr Meares was unanimously re-elected Mayor of Melbourne. SYDNEY, October 12.

The particulars published regarding the murder of the crew of the Espange by the natives of Solomon Islands have oreated a etrong belief that severe measures should be taken to prevent further outrage. A matoh has been arranged between Bush and Wm. Trickett on the Paramatta for the middle of November.

BEISBANE, October 12

Mr Butledge in the Assembly on the 7th moved—" That marriages contracted in Queensland under the Deceased Wife's Sister Act be regarded as lawful in other parts of her Majesty's dominions." The motion, which was well supported, was adjourned for a week.

±£.M.S. Conflict has arrived at Cooktown from New Guinea. The missionary teachers confirm the recent massacre by natives, who refused to give up the heads of the slain Chinamen.

ADELAIDE, October 12,

All tbe oargo of the Sorata which it is possible to recover has now been taken out. Only a quantity of galvanised iron and other heavy material remains. Workmen are constructing a false bottom, so as to make the vessel watertight, and then a final attempt will probably be made to float her. The Marine Board have urged an early commencement of the Sorata enquiry, and have instructed their secretary to confer with the Government solicitor on the subjeot.