AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2107, 24 November 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tbiegbaph.] [Per b.b. Tararua, at the Bluff.] A portion of the Australian News, per the above ship, was given in our yesterday’s issue. Tho following are additional items MELBOURNE, November 17. In the Assembly on Thursday Mr Vale stated that the colony had 1600 magistrates on the roll. If he obtained tho consent of his colleagues he would introduce a Bill limiting future appointments to tho magistracy to a term of five years. An Opposition caucus to consider Mr Gaunson’s conduct re Kelly was held on Thursday night. The general opinion was that tho House should notice the same, and Mr Service was empowered to see Mr Berry. The latter, however, considered that Mr Gaunson’s conduct being outside his official position, the Government would not be justified in submitting a complaint. If a private member brought the matter up the Government would place no obstacle in the way of carrying out the expressed wish of the majority. Nothing has since been done to mark disapproval of Mr Gaunson’s conduct, which is condemned unanimously by papers of all shades of opinion. No doubt is now entertained that the box of gold was stolen after the Tararua left Dunedin; bat whether it was laudted at the Bluff or Hobartown is merely a matter of surmise. It has been suggested that it was transferred to the Somersetshire, which awaited the Tararua’s arrival, before her departure for the Oape ; but it is stated that this is unlikely, only one of the Tararua|s passengers going by that vessel, and his luggage was carefully searched. A careful watch is being kept over everything which is landed from the Tararua, and deteo-

lives are diligently searching for traces. It now transpires that there were two Ohubbs’ keys to the bullion room, and that one of these has been missing for some time past, and little doubt is consequently entertained that it was in the possession of the thief. It is also stated that the carpenter had the lock to repair three months ago, and that the duplicate key was then lost. The purser states that the key was kept in a drawer closed by Ohubbs’ look, that the drawer was not opened during the passage, and that there were no signs of tampering with it. At present the whole affair is a complete mystery. The Protos leaves to-morrow for England with the first shipment of the Frozen Meat Company, comprising 3000 carcases of sheep, a small quantity of beef, and sixty tons of butter. The pit registered 47i deg. below zero, and the refrigerating chamber was. kept 9 deg. below freezing point. In addition to the meat, the Protos takes 5000 boles of wool. It is understood that if the shipment is successful the Protos will return.^ The cricket match Yiotoria v South Australia commenced on Friday. The former, batting first, made a total of 329 runs, of which Horan contributed 113. The Adelaide first innings closed for 77, which was followed on Saturday by 134 for two wickets, and continuing on Monday, totalled 319. Victoria then made 69, and won the match by four wickets. The Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Company has declared a dividend of 8 per cent. At the annual meeting the report stated that the business had doubled within the year. Mr Eetten gives a final concert in the Town Hall on behalf of Melbourne charities ano then goes to New Zealand. SYDNEY, November 17.

Sir H. Paries in his address to his constituents advocated free trade, believing that trade will flourish best in an atmosphere of entire freedom. He maintains the of unseotarian education, favours the extension of the railway system, local municipal government, amendment of the mining leases. He is opposed to the abandonment of the selectors’ balances, and is also opposed to the unrestricted influx of Chinese, and alludes to the reforms in the liquor law statutes and the reorganisation of the civil service. After Sir Patrick Jennings’ meeting at Dubbo on Thursday, a woman had some words with a policeman, and the former went and fetched a pistol, and shot the policeman through the temple. He is not expected to recover. It has since transpired that the woman was his mistress. He is still alive, but with no hope of recovery. The sinking of the Lady Darling is believed to be attributable to striking some sunken object. The captain and crew landed on Montague Island, and are now en route for Melbourne. Oadman has been committed for trial for obtaining money by false pretences from Sir Alfred Stephens by means of a forged letter from Sir William Fitzherbert, Speaker of the Hew Zealand Assembly. Speaking of the gold robbery, the “Age” to-day says that it appears that there was a great lack of care displayed in securing the safe custody of the bullion. The key was allowed to hang m the pantry for days, and the duplicate was lost twelve months ago. The “Age” adds that it is possible that the gold was landed in Melbourne, as two and a half hours elapsed before the loss was discovered, and many passengers with much luggage disembarked during that time. The result of the boat race caused a feeling of deep disappointment throughout the colonies. There was much betting on Triokett, and some of the bookmakers lose heavily.