AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2219, 6 April 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] [Per s.s. Aarawata, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, March 29. Upon the Assembly Reform Bill being presented to the Council on the 24th, the President delivered a written ruling, to the effect that the House was precluded from receiving the Bill on the ground that a measure affecting the Council must originate in that House ; also, that the Council, during the present session, had previously passed a Bill altering its constitution. Mr Beid thereupon notified a motion for Tuesday that the President’s ruling be disagreed with. In the Assembly, upon the above becoming known, Mr Berry moved the adjournment of the House till Wednesday, in order that the members and the country might consider the situation. '1 he “ Argns ” next day said that the Ministry had decided that the Assembly should not sit until the question of the adoption or otherwise by the Council of the President’s ruling was settled. It further stated that if the Ministerial Bill were not proceeded with a policy of action wou'd bo determined on. At a Cabinet meeting on Monday, to consider the action of the Council, it was decided to proceed with business, in expectation that the Council would reverse the President’s ruling.

The Police Enquiry Board sits daily. The evidence reveals that unfriendly relations between the heads of the force have existed for some time, especially between Captain Standish and Superintendent Nicholson. The City Council on the 24th adopted an address of condolence to the Dnke and Duchess of Kdinbnrgh upon the recent assassination of the PERTH, March 2D. The Legislative Council opened on the 24th. The Governor’s speech shows that the revenue for last year was JE 188.000, and the expenditure J5204,C00. Stamp duties, property, and income tuxes are proposed, also the lightening of Customs’ duties. ADELAIDE, March 29. A meeting of merchants and others on the 24th characterised the intended exhibition as merely a commercial speculation, and condemned the Government for giving assistance. A few days after the Treasurer informed a deputation that tho Government gave no facilities to promote the exhibition, and neither would they. The Assembly has voted .£420,000 for railway extension, which is estimated to give employment to 15,000 men for five years. The office of the “ Temora Herald,” with all its plant, was completely destroyed by fire on the 24th,

I Per a.s. Eingarooma, at Ensßell.J MELBOUENB, March 31. At a meeting of non-conforming ministers, held on Tuesday, a resolution was passed against the clause in the Reform Bill excluding ministers from holding seats in the Council. It was resolved to present a memorial to the Council in the event of the Bill being proceeded with. At the Polico Board meeting on Tuesday, Acting Commissioner Nicholson concluded his evidence and Inspector O’Connor had partially given his. Ho reflected strongly against the administrative ability of Captain btandish. During the discussion in the Assembly on the Land Tax Bill, Messrs Eees and Bent came into collision. Mr Eees called Mr Bent a bully, and a disgrace to the House. His remarks were taken quietly. LordNormanbyhas directed the attention of the City Corporation to the intolerable stench from the Yarra, which makes Government House almost uninhabitable. Attention has been drawn in Parliament to tbe employment of very young children in theatrical performances. The Government promised to prevent such exhibitions in future. A conference of representatives of municipal bodies was held in the Town Hall yesterday; the Mayor of Pitzroy presiding. Eesolntionß were passed affirming tbe necessity of establishing tramways, and declaring that Parliament should bo invited to give municipalities power to make street tramways, or make contracts with persons to do so. In reply to a deputation, Mr Berry stated it was the intention of Government to advocate a fresh loan shortly. . SYDNEY, March 31. William Brown, convicted of a criminal offence on his daughter, was banged at Darlinghurst on Tuesday. BEISBANE, March 31. Traffic on the central line was stopped on Tnesday, the flood water being in one part six inches above the rails. Thera are ten feet of water on the Dawson bridge.

ADELAIDE, March 31. A report from Beda waterholes states that another man, name unknown, has been found dead. Ho is supposed to have died from exhaustion through want of water The Treasurer held a meeting on Tuesday, at which he answered the speech on the Protectionists’ side, made the previous evening by Mr Johnson. At the close of the proceedings, an amendment was moved that Mr Fowler’s conduct in the matter of the Melbourne convention and joining the present Ministry was unsatisfactory to the electors of East Adelaide. A considerable number of hands was held up for the amendment, bat the chairman ruled that it was lost, and the ordinary vote of confidence was declared carried. Mr McKenzie, an organ builder at North Adelaide, has been committed for trial for setting fire to his shop. Mr Allison has made arrangements to present Laycock with a testimonial at the Theatre Koyal, if the time of arrival and departure in the Lusitania suits.