AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2212, 29 March 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Bx Tblbgbaph.] [Per b.b. Tararua. at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, March 22. The representations to the Home Government by the recent Intercolonial Conference praying for increased British influence in Polynesia, included newspaper articles in which the names of Sir A. Gordon and Commodore Wilson were included. Both have taken serious offence in consequence, and have addressed the Imperial Government on the subject. A vigorous canvass by both candidates for Maldon was carried on up till Friday, the polling day. Mr Mclntyre's friends were most sanguine of success, and the result justified their anticipations, he being returned by 629 against 405. The works for the improvement of the Yan Yean water are rapidly proceeding. Whittlesea Common is being fenced in, and experiments with lime are being tried at the Eastern Hill tank. M. Rampant, an eminent French enginoer, who visited the reservoir on Saturday with Baron Mueller and others, states that he can purify tho water effectually in a short time.

A patent was granted on 17th inßt. to Edward ! Waters, of Melbourne, on behalf of Joha Alves, Dunedin, for improvements relating to fire bar 3 of furnaces. The Presbyterian Ormond College, opened on Friday by the QoverLor, is the gift of Mr Francis Ormond. who paid the whole cost of tho building, .£22,500. A number of scholarships are also provided already. St. Putrick's Day passed quietly in Melbourne, and during the evening tho theatres and other entertainments all took an Irish tone, and were largely patronised. On Saturday the total number of visitors to the Exhibition reached a million. Baker, the pedestrian, undertook to walk 450 miles in six days and nights for a wager of .£21)0, and accomplished the feat with half an hour to spare. The Orient steamer, which arrived on Saturday, took all fresh meat frozen in London aboard and used it during the voyage with tho , greatest satisfaction.

The "Argus" states that Sir Bryan O'Loghlen intends moving in the Assembly tonight that the Inform BUI be referred to a pint committee of the two Houbcs, and if it succeeds the Ministers will probably accept the new position. The Cabinet on Monday determined to extend RiohurUen's policy to distribute poisoned oats nnd to buy the rabbit skins, as the best means of exterminating the pest. . „„ SYDNEY, March 22. The city surveyor has reported that the Town Hall contractors have been overpaid £2300. Reports from Wilcannia are very discouraging. Numbers are returning, and it is stated that more polioe protection is required for the place. Mr Slattery'a motion for the abolition of interest on unpaid selectors' balanceJ was negatived on Saturday without a division. A tdegram from Mount Browne reports the township quite dry and people all leaving. No actual lead has been struck, but the surface work proves that men can at least earn good wages. Nearly everyone on the diggings is suffering from Bore eyes, and the people are earnestly warned against coming until ram has fallen. . __ ADELAIDE, March 22. A deputation from the Chamber of Manufacturers and Agricultural Societies suggested to tho Chief Secretary that licenses should be granted by the Board of Health for flaxsteeping operations with a view to enoourage that trade. Mr Mann promised to obtain a report from tho Board. The nominations for the new Assembly are fixed for April 4th, and the elections fjr the Bth, 11th, and 20th April. The Adelaide imports last year were £5,581,000, an increase of £567,000. The exports were £5,574,000, being an increase of £BII,OOO. The Government will probably remit the duty on phosphorus, in consequence of the quantity used for the destruction of rabbits.