AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2170, 8 February 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Tbleqeaph.] [Per B.s, Rotomahana at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, February 1. The Bill for the restriction of immigration of Chinese, which will be introduced into the New South Wales and Victorian Parliaments, provides that no vessel shall bring more than one Chinaman per hundred tons register, under a penalty of £lO for each excess passenger, Every Chinese immigrant must pay £lO on arrival in the colony, whether by sea or land, British born Chinese excepted. Erom an official statement published it appears that Victoria at the present time is losing at the rate of £24,000 annually under the mail contract, being an increase of nearly £IO,OOO compared with the former contract. This result is attributable to the refusal of the other colonies to reduce the rates to 6d per half ounce and to competition. SYDNEY, February 1. The final sitting of the conference was held on Thursday. Mr Morgan moved —“That all the colonies contribute equally to the cable subsidy.” Queensland and Tasmania intimated their adhesion to their resolution to stand out of the contract altogether. Mr Dick, for New Zealand, offered to bear a share if the proportion w;re fixed according to the messages received instead of the population of the colony. The other colonies however, declined to go outside the decision of the Cable Conference. Mr Morgan’s motion was carried by four to three. Mr Berry submitted a memorandum to the effect that some of the colonics had not reduced the Brindisi postages to sixpence. The memo, was placed on the minutes. Motions were carried for joint action with regard to pleuropneumonia and uniform legislation for the recovery of debts and damages. A representation regarding the Chinese policy of Western Australia was signed for transmission to the Secretary of State. A report on Sir Arthur Gordon’s powers was similarly dealt with, A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the Conference, and the delegates separated and returned to their respective colonies. Mr Robertson, solicitor, has commenced an action against the “ Sydney Bulletin” for £IO,OOO damages. Shipments of frozen fish have arrived from Port Stephens in excellent condition. Gangs of men are still endeavoring to raise the Collaroy, but meet with no success. The vessel has drifted higher on the shore. H.M.S. Cormorant returned from the Fiji Islands on Saturday, where she has inflicted a severe punishment on the natives who took part in the recent massacre. News from Samoa announces that the old party have delivered up their arms and surrendered the fort, being in a condition approaching starvation. News from the other islands likewise report that many have given in their adhesion to Maletoa, '.thus involving the total collapse of the old party.

[Via Bussell.] SYLNBY, February 3. The Bishop of Sydney’s progress towards recovery is satisfactory, his walking improved, and he is able to sit out of doors. He took a drive on Monday, The railway was opened from Wellington to Lubbo on Tuesday with festivity and rejoicing. A Parramatta man was stuck up and robbed by two men on the Logtrap road on Sunday, and was severely beaten about the head. The robbers afterwards tried to enter the dwelling. Caeina has reported a pearl fishing discovery at Evans River, Newcastle. A Scotchwoman named Jane Mack died, aged 99 years and 10 months, in full possession of all her faculties at the time of death. MELBOURNE. John Mclntyre contests Waldon on Service’s resignation. The Constitutional Committee have elected Walsh as their candidate. Mr Coppin has placed himself unreservedly in the hands of his committee. At a bush fire at Tobbande, near Heathcote, a man named Robinson was burned to death. Five thousand pounds worth of 6 per cent, debentures of the Borough of Sale were put in the market, and tenders were sent in for 42,000, all above par. One institution offered to take the whole at 112. The consideration of a charge of heterodoxy against the Rev Mr Strong, of the Scotch Church, on his views respecting the atonement, has been postponed to next month. Mr Berry has written to Gaunson urging him to retire from East Melbourne in favor of Levi, a Ministerialist. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Some time ago the Government wrote to the Canadian Government asking that an arrangement be made to allow our wines to be admitted to the Lominion duty free. A reply has been received declining to enter into arrangements, on the grounds that the Canadian Cabinet had increased their duties on all classes of imported goods for the purpose of carrying out a heavy undertaking. QUEENSLAND. Mr Watson has sent in a progress report of a flying survey from trans-continental Roma to Carpentaria. He arrived at Cbartekille on 21st ultimo, and says country between Stawell, Murtoa, and Victoria, he believes, an efficient line could be constructed at a reasonable cost. A third of the adjoining land is excellent scrub, and half the land will eventually come into cultivation.