AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2140, 4 January 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] [Per s.s. To Anau at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, December 28. The past few days have been devoted exclusively to holidays, consequently there is little except of local interest to record. The Exhibition was opened on the afternoon of Christmas Day, when about 10,000 visitors attended. Yesterday (Boxing Day) the attendance numbered 18,000, which is less than had been expected. The Inter-colonial Cricket match on the Melbourne ground was witnessed by several thousands.

Intense heat, accompanied by blinding dust etorms prevailed in Melbourne on Sunday. The temperature reached 144 degrees in the sun, and 102 degrees in the shade, falling 40 degrees within a short period. Fears wore entertained by the attendants for the safety of the Exhibition annexes during the gale, bat the building withstood the fierce wind. _ There was a long and warm debate in the Assembly on Thursday on the question of the abolition of the local artillery corps. Sir J. O’Sb.anasey pointed out that the colony was pledged to Sir W. Jervois* scheme, of which the retention of the artillery was an important point. Mr Berry said that the Government would keep sufficient men to look after the stores, and that no more were necessary. Upon a division,, 38 were for the disbandment, and 23 against. The Legislative Council on Friday passed the Phylloxera, Country Water Works and Railway Loan Bills, protesting, however, against such important measures being prosenten so late in the session. Before the adjournment of the Assembly on Friday Sir J. Shanousy urged upon the de--1 legates to the forthcoming Conference to ea-

w deavor ; to establish a oniform tariff for' the 1 colonies. This called forth a protest from Mr I Berry that such remarks tended to weaken the hands of the delegates.- The beer, tobacco, land, and other Bills were passed without amendment. All parties wished the Speaker the compliments of the ueason, Mr Q-annson saying that he represented the “ Go-as-you-please ” party. It was intimated is the Assembly on Thursday that the Government intend to purchase the Exhibition annexes' and utilise them for a railway station. The annexes were built with this object in view. Captain Payne, late harbor-master, who recently retired, has commenced an action against the Government for additional comjiensation.jon account of several years’ service jin the penal department. Sir Redmond Barry’s will was proved on the 23rd. The property was sworn under £IO,OOO, and the same day Mr Lyster's was sworn at £3300. The select committee of the Council on Parliamentary officials’ salaries, recommends that permanent provision for the salaries of the President and other officials be made by Act of Parliament, the object being to prevent a recurrence of the reductions recently contemplated by the Government. Masers Johnson and Co., engineers, Melbourne, undertake to finish the Sorata repairs within four months, or pay a certain penalty. The work will bo executed under the supervision of Mr Armit, special representative of the Orient Company. Pilot Gaunson, brother to the Chairman of Committees, was drowned at Queenscliffo on Christmas Day, by falling from a pier. His body was subsequently recovered. SYDNEY, December 28. It is stated that by the introduction of tricycles for telegraph messages the Government will save £6OO by forage alone, and that the total saving will form an appreciable item in the working of the department. Mr Griffiths, leader of the Opposition at Brisbane, arrived on Thursday, en route for England, where he intends watching the forthcoming enquiry into the charges against the Government. Extremely hot weather has been general throughout the colony last week, accompanied by bush fires and dust storms. Fine weather prevailed for the holidays, all sports being well patronised. The races at Bandwick were attended by the Governor and party. Twenty-two thousand persons travelled by the tramway alone. The Wallsend Company reduced the price of coal to 8s from Ist January. HOBABT TOWN, December 28. Great heat prevailed in Hobart Town on Sunday, followed by a hurricane, which continued during Monday. Two persons were drowned in the Derwent. The cricket pavilion was blown down, killing one child and injuring a dozen other persons. The Australian Eleven against the Launceston scored 433. Groube made 90, not out, and Palmer, who was bowled by Kendall, 74. The Tasmanians in their first innings made 74; Spofforth took six wickets and Palmer eleven. In their second innings they scored 139, Palmer taking ten wickets and Spofforth seven.

ADELAIDE, December 28. The libel action, Dr. McLougblan, of the Sorata, against the “Port Adelaide News ” concluded on Thursday, with a verdict for the defendant.

The engagements of tonnage for new grain exceed 25,000 tons.

[Per City of Sydney.] SYDNEY, December 30.

At Oabarfoot, water at the public tank is doled out at the rate of a bucket per head per day. Weather frightful. MELBOURNE, December 29. Archibald Forbes has arrived for his lecturing tour. The Minister of Railways, accompanied by several members of the Assembly, at Maffra, Gippsland, spoke of the free pass syotem, and said that it cost Government £5600 per year, which he intended to abolish to a large extent.

QUEENSLAND, December 29, The Attorney-General’s death caused profound astonishment and regret. Tho Maryborough “ Chronicle” stated, on Tuesday last, that Mrs Geoch, wife of a selector at Murray Creek, leaving on the veradah her son, aged two years, returned in ten minutes, and found the ehild missing. Search was made, but proved futile. It is supposed the child was stolen off the verandah ADELAIDE, December 29. The Garonne arrived last night.