AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2087, 1 November 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Br Thlbqbam.] [Per s.s. Albion, at Hokitika.] MEfBOUBNE, October 25

Mr Patterson introduced the Bailway Bill into the Assembly on Wednesday. He detailed the scheme, the average coat of construction of 471 miles being £3725 per mile. The Bill was well received. Mr Patterson invited Parliament to show that though different political opinions were held all were united for the improvement of the colony. Mr Service, on behalf of the Opposition, acknowledged the moderate tone of the Minister for Bailways and his lucid, businessliko exposition of the scheme. The Judicature Bill, before the Assembly on Tuesday, was brought in by the Government and well supported, when Sir B. O'Loghlen, Mr McKean, and Mr Gaunson offered a determined opposition, and between them stonewalled the measure. Their ohief objection to the measure was that it was a "judge-made moasure." Sir B. O'Loghlen proposed referring the Bill to a committee for amendment, which Meesrs Yale, Kerferd, and Madden opposed ; but, with the assistance of Mr Longmore and others, Sir B. O'Loghlen secured a count out at midnight. Mr Yale stated on the following day that the stonewalling would be abandoned, Sir B. O'Loghlen agreeing to allow the measure to proceed. Mr Murray Smith has notified a motion calling attention to the action of the Government in cancelling a rule forbidding Government officials being members of political societies.

Sir Henry Partes left Melbourne on Wednesday morning, and reached Sydney in nineteen and a half hours, the fastest time on record. Sir H. Parkes and Mr Berry met before the departure of the former, and at a lengthy interview agreed to call a conference of representatives of New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria on the subject of intercolonial free trade, also intercolonial defences, and a Oourt of appeal for all the colonies. The Chinese question was not dealt with at the conference, as each oolony legislates for itself, Victoria probably following the lineß laid down by Queensland. The Postmaster-General gave an interview to the representatives of the Orient Steam Company for Wednesdsy. The latter asked for some addition to the present rate of one penny per letter for their steamers. Mr Langridge feared that he could make no difference between the Orient and other noncontracting steamers, but promised to submit a written proposal on the subject to the Oabinet.

A despatch from the secretary of the Colonies replying to a proposal to alleoate one colonial cadetship annually to the Boyal Military College, and with reference to a suggestion that colonial candidates may be exempted from preliminary examination in London, says that the Commissioners are willing that such examination should be held in Australia by English papers, and suggests a common oentro in the colonies for holding the examination, and further detircs that Victoria should communicate with the other colonies on the matter.

Mr Benjamin Berry, whom Mr Service reduced, has been reinstated on his former position. Tho "Argus" says that another son of Mr Berry has likewise been appointed to the Treasury. The " Age " publishes a leader to-day, in which it declares that the reinstatement of Mr Berry is is outrageous taste.

After two days' enqniry, in the case Molntyre v Syme, for remarks oontained in an "Age " artiole headed " facts for the election," wherein it was stated that Mclntyre had been bought by an appointment being given to his son, the plaintiff obtained £l5O damages. SYDNEY, October 25. Advices from England state that the shipment of oranges and lemons by the Ootopaxi perfectly succeded, and is expected to have satisfactory results. A man named Biley has been identified by the wife of the manager as one of the men ooncerned in the recent bank robbery at Quirindi. ADELAIDE, October 25. Tho Appropriation Bill of £144,000, including £35,000 for Northern territory, passed the second reading on the 20th. During the debate the Opposition blamed the Government for not equalising the inoome and expenditure. Beplying to criticisms, the Treasurer maintained that the cost of Government had not been increased. He stated also that taxation proposals would be shortly submitted to the country. A Bill has passed imposing a poll tax of £lO on Chinese in the Northern territory. HOBABT TOWN, October 25.

The Council insisting on their amendments on the Appropriation and Post-office Bill, the Assembly laid the latter aside, the Premier intimating that the action of the Council necessitated tho consideration of constitutional reform.

BBISBANE, October 25,

In the Assembly on Thursday Mr Griffiths called attention to telegrams announcing the commencement of the new mail service in February, and maintained that the colony was not bound by such arrangement. In replying to a deputation, the PostmasterGeneral said that he intended to send representatives to the Melbourne Postal Union, but it is not expected that good would result to the colony from the meeting. The Assembly were occupied with the Railway Bill on Tuesday, and an amendment was carried that no African or Asiatio aliens shuld be employed within 200 miles of the Gulf of Carpentaria. A nugget weighing 960 z has been found at Oania. The warden has laid off seven reefs, and it is stated that there is plenty of rich quarto. Miners are cautioned not to proceed pending the warden's report.