AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2117, 6 December 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[BY TKLBQB4PH.J [Per i.s. Rotorua at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, December 1. It is now understood that the Reform question must stand over till after Christmas, the estimates consuming all the time until then. M. Belcour, the French Commissioner, on Saturday presented the President of the Exhibition with a splendid Sevres vase, and the Government with a collection of educational appliances. The same evening M. Belcour entertained sixty of the Exhibition Commissioners and others at a dinner at Menzies' Hotel.

At the International Conference on Saturday Sir H. Farkes submitted hie views. A harmonious feeling prevails. The points of discussion are intercolonial free trade, and tho establishment of a Federal Council. Important questions are to be discussed, also regarding joint action for the extirpation of the phylloxera. Mr Yale has been requested to collect information aboub the granting of patents. The other matters discussed were uniform telegraph railway rates, diseases in stock, and wife and child desertion. At the conference on Saturday, resolutions were passed in favor of a Federal Council and the mutual extradition of absconding debtors. Mr Mann, the Adelaide delegate, submitted his views on Sir H. Farkes' paper, and Mr Berry read a paper on Border Duties. The Conference then adjourned to Wednesday, when Sir H. Farkes will expand the proposed federal council scheme. Phylloxera and Chinese immigration will be dealt with. It is highly probable that the Conference will again meet at Sydney in January. J. Thomson, hearing of the proposed match between Hanlan and Laycock, has collected funds with a view of assisting Laycock to meet Hanlan. Mr Thomson has raised £165, and Sydney has subscribed £351. Both amounts have been telegraphed to London, the Bank of New South. Wales remitting the money free. The Wyndham races, on November 27th, were well patronised, and there was excellent weather. The Wyndham Handicap was an excellent race, Coongoolu winning by a head, Camballo seoond, Attractive third.

The Melbourne Cricket Club entertain the Australian Eleven at a supper in the Favillion on Saturday, the 4th of December. The Earl and Countess of Ellesmere armed yesterday by the Bokhara and are guests of Governor Normanby. The Commission of Trade and Customs has offered for use, free of charge, the Alfred Dock, Williams town," for repairing the Sorata, which is expected to reach Melbourne this week.

A six days' go-as-you-please tournament was commenced at the Hippodrome on Monday. At eleven yesterday night Swan of New Zealand and T. Seymour had each accomplished 109 miles, O'Connor being a long way behind at seventy miles. ADELAIDE, December 1. The Sorata enquiry has been resumed. Captain Brinsden was cross-examined, but nothing important was elicited. Green, the third mate, said he was on deck at the time of grounding, with Herbert Sandford and the Duko of Manchester, on the bridge. Green called out to the captain that there was a point of land a-head, and the captain ordered him to port the vessel. Not answering promptly, he cried, "Fort hard," and the next moment she struck. The witness testified to the carefulness of Captain Fowler, and he knew of no precaution which the captair omitted to verify his position. Fredk. Howard, Staff Commander of the Boyal Navy, considered the navigation of the backstairs passage as easy. Abreast of Caps Jervis, with (he Wfiloughby light in view, the navigator should steer westward, and get the light out of sight. He also thought that a steamer like the Sorata should never be nearer the land than half a mile. The inquiry was continued yesterday. A captain of mercantile marine, Lieut. Godlen, 8.N., and others, were ex-

aminod. There are still several witness to be called. The match between the Australian eleven and fifteen of Adelaide waa continued on Saturday, the former making a total of 163. Jarvie made 35, Murdoch 28, Spofforth 22, Bonnar 21, McDonnell 20. Adelaide's second innings closed for 117, Spofforth, who bowled excellently, proved too much for them. The Eleven, with 68 to win, then commenced the second innings. Jarvis made 3, and Murdoch 10; total for the day, 32. On Monday the match was resumed. McDonnell mad* 15, Baunermacn 18, Blackham 9, not out, Slight 14 not out. The Eleven accordingly won by six wickets.