AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2157, 24 January 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Br TeleGßArn.] [Per s.e. Hero, at Auckland.] SYDNEY, January 24. In the Assembly Mr Buchanan moved a resolution declaring that, in the opinion of the House, deposits forfeited at elections should not be returned. Sir H. Partes opposed the motion, which was negatived by fifty-nine to five. Mr Buchanan moved the second reading of the Matrimonial Causes Act Amendment Bill, which is similar to the Divorce Bill which previously received the sanction of the New South Wales Parliament, and on three different occasions had been sent to England, though unsuccessfully, for the Eoyal assent. The only difference found in the present, compared with the previous Bills, was restricted to persons domiciled in the colony which he had inserted in order to meet the objections of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who notified, if the restriction was adopted, he would advise Her Majecty to give her assistance. The second reading was agreed to on a division of forty to fourteen. Reports received from the country state that the draught broken dams at Botany are unaffected to any extent. A letter has been received from Mr Forster, late Agent-General in London, stating he was unaware of his having been elected a member of the Assembly in tbe colony, although he intended to return to the colony, but was not pressing forward arrangements. Fears which have been entertained by Sydney and Melbourne friends of Clarson, who is on a sketching tour for the " Illustrated Sydney News," and severa]|European papers have been set at rest by his safe arrival from Queensland after on absence of seventeen weeks.

MELBOURNE, January 17. At Tthe Portland banquet Mr Sandridge replied for the Ministry, and said that the Government had been met with difficulties, and bod not had fair play in their endeavor to carry out a system of retrenchment. Major Smith responded, and said it was necessary to obtain one more loan in England, after which Victoria would have to depend on her own resources.

Riohard Hart, brother to the outlaw, has been arrested at Eohuca for highway robbery. A boy of fifteen was arrested at Shorghlitz, for shooting a girl of thirteen, and wounding her.

The present indications of the wheat harvest are not so good as last year. Legal proceedings have been commenced by Herr Wildner, conductor of the Austrian Band, against Herr Schonberger to recover £I3OO.

At a banquet at Warnambool, Major Smith, in responding for the Government, said he believed the present Government commanded the respect, esteem, and confidence of the people, more particularly moderate people. He believed the colony was entering upon a season of unprecedented, prosperity. Pnillips, one of Lsichardt'e companies in the first expedition, is living in seclusion at Head Diamond Creek, Queensland.

BRISBANE, Januair 17. Brooker Island is again attacked, and

EViar's Beoho do Mar station at Kiloumncy lalacd were successfully xpeiaod. Sketharpo telegraphs from Blackali station, »nd lends Jotters with parEicul.jrs by mail ot journals and other relios Imving boon forwarded for safety, including Laiobardi « and Olasaan's journals of fceichardt'e whole trip. Both are in good state of preservation, also the telescope, with the presentation engraving, compasses, and other things. The diary of Olasoan is to tho effect that ho left IJeiohardt at Saltwater Creek, while he searched for •water, «nd on retraining he fonnd the party dead. Me then Joined the Blacks, with whom be lived till threo years ago. Skuthorpe will sot allow any one to inspect the relics at Blaokall. _ _ , ~ . mThe -Queensland Insurance Company's dividend will be 10 per cent., and £2798 will be carried forward. „_____