AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2129, 20 December 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] [Per ■•(• Eotomahana, at Bluff. | MELBOUENE, December 14. In the Assembly on Thursday Mr L. L, Smith unexpectedly tabled a want of confidence mot : on, on the vague ground that the actions of the Ministry are unsatisfactory. Mr Berry asked Mr Service if the motion had his concurrence. Mr Service said that as he had heard nothing about the motion he could express no opinion, and required time to consult his friends, whereupon Mr Berry moved the adjournment of the House. Messrs Longmore and Mirams said the corner party not having been consulted, it would not support the motion. Mr Nimmo and others protested against the waste of time by a bogus motion being brought forward. It has, however, since been regarded as of greater significance than was at first attributed to it. It is believed that Mr Smith is acting in full concurrence with Sir B. O’Loughlin, Mr O'Shanassy, and others. Sir Bryan O’Loughlin on Thursday, after intimating a want of confidence both in the ability and power of the Government to carry out the Liberal policy, crossed the floor and took his seat in the Opposition coiner, A Cabinet meeting was held next day to consider the situation, and an Opposition caucus the same day was held, but adjourned until to-day, when it will decide upon its action in connection with Mr Smith’s motion. The result is entirely a matter of speculation at the present moment. About 6000 persona visited the Sorata on Sunday, and a charge of sixpence realised £63, which was distributed amoug the Melbourne charities. No official survey has yet been made, but tenders for repairs will shortly be called for. Both Sydney and Melbourne firms are expected to compete. An action was brought yesterday in the City Court against Mr Asche, proprietor of a hotel in Melbourne, to recover £35, the amount due on a Cup Sweep. The defendant pleaded the illegality of the transaction. Judge Cope held the action could not be maintained, and nonsuited the plaintiff, with costa. A circular has been issued by the Secretary of the Exhibition, propoeing the opening of two nights a week, and tha 1 daring the month of April the exhibitors be allowed freely Jto sell and deliver goods ia the Exhibition. Neither proposal meets with mnch favor, those formerly against the night opening still maintaining the same view, and most of the Commissioners objecting to the building being converted into a large shop. The “Argus’' likewise condemns this attempt to re-open a question which has been already settled by alarge majority of Commissioners. SYDNEY, December 14. Henry Wilkinson, charged with the murder of Martin Menz last Thursday, has been committed for trial at Albury. The prisoner

suggested an alibi, and threw suspicion on a non of Martin Menz, named Henry. The daughter, Mary Pumpa, is still alive, but in a precarious condition. ADELAIDE, December 14. The “South Australian Register " gives the result of a trial shipment of oranges to England per the Garonne. Of 643 oranges shipped, 580 arrived in good condition and were declared delicious. The fruit was delivered in London at an actual cost of Ijd per orange at a time when they are usually quite unobtainable. _ . BISBANB, December 14. The Premier shortly starts for England on business connected with the trans-continental railway. Mr Morehead will probably be the new Postmaster-General. Mr Swanwiok, a barrister and member of the Assembly, horsewhipped Mr Byrne, editor of “Punch,” on Saturday, on account of an allusion to Mr Swanwiok’s wife in Mr Byrne’s paper.