AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2207, 23 March 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Bt Tblkgbaph/J TPer s.b. Te Annu. at Kuesell.] MSO).BOURN*', March 17. In replv to a dentation of tobacco manufacturers with reft renco to the oontinnance of the present duties on tobacco. Mr Berry osid that no sudden ohange would be made, and full warning be given of any remission of duty. If tharii was a surplus revenue there would be a corresponding -emipsion, though it would b mado on tea inste >d of tobacco.

A deputation of farmers and others from Wimmera interviewed the Chief Secretory yestordav ro the rabbit nuisance Thoy represented that tho ground was swarming with rabbits, which were rapidly increasing. It was BUggo«tert that the Mall.-n country, which was the principal breeting ground, should be out into suitable blocks with fixity of tenure, and that tenants should be compiled to kill tho rnbbits or forfeit thoir leases. Mr LanMridga intimites that ha has under consideration tho propriety of introdncing the system adopted in England of iesning card 3 fo.Btauips to bo posted on, the stamps to bo received at Savings Banks as money. Ho admitted that there wore great difficulties in tho way. SYDNEY, Mar h 17.

The acoident which befell Lostrange's balloon was productive of more serious consequence* than was generally known. At tho tima when the balloon burst Mrs Hawke and her daughter wero standing on tho verandah within a few yards of wtero it exploded. It knocked her down with great force, and on being picked up and taken kmido it wan found that Mr» Hawke,

who in an elderly lady, was severely bnrnt on the face, the skin of the right side being charred and the eye so severely injured that it is not ex peted she will reoover her sight. Miss Hawke was slightly burned, bnt suffered most from the shook to her s s stem. , ,„ BEISBANE, March 17. The Transcontinental snrvey expedition has been delayed at Armao owing to the rainy weather.