AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2222, 11 April 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Tblbgbaph.] [Per s.s. Ringarooma, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, April 5. Replying to an enquiry in the Assembly on Thursday, Mr Williams said that the Government did not intend at present doing anything to carry out the reoommendatioßS of Messrs Gordon and Black for water conservation. After discussion, Mr Langdon notified a motion for the appropriation of £IOO,OOO for this purpose in the northern portion of the oolony. The "Argus" says that the supplementary estimates now amount to no less than £IBO,OOO. The torpedo accident board sits daily. They visited the Oerbt ras on Thursday and examined the scene of the accident and the electrio apparatus used. The Board also inspected the hulk where the explosives are kept and found a parcel of dynamite not entered on the book. Mr Doyle, a member of the corps, stated that he had seen dynamite on the binnacle stand of tho Cerberus on the day of the explosion, tonding to lead to the conclusion that it was placed with a quantity of gun cotton in the torpedo, thus causing the accident through exuding from the cartridge. The British exhibitors have presented Mr Herbert flundford with £3OO, as a mark of esteem. Mr Sandford announces that he will spend the money on pictures of Australian scenery. Laycock, the sculler, arrived by the Lusitania. His friends met the Lusitania in the bay last night, and Mr Ooppin, on behalf of a number of subscribers, presented Laycock with a purse of about a hundred sovereigns. He was also received by the Mayor at the Town Hall. The Lusitania brought two tons of frozen fish, which are now being retailed by the Melbourne fishmongers at 4s for turbot, salmon and soles, and Is 6d for haddocks. The fish are of excellent flavor and well preserved.

Another freezing experiment has recently been made, the P. and O. Company's Kaiseri hind took frozen meat from London to Calcutta and back, occupying four months. When finally eaten it was found to be perfectly sound and Bweet. Superintendent Hare, before the Police Board on Friday, said that Superintendent Nicholson ordered the police of Beechworth to discharge all spies and agents employed in the distriot. Hare countermanded the order in time to save serious embarrassment. The enquiry is continuing daily. The Colonial Governments are communicating regarding regulations for the quarantine of imported stock. A conference of inspectors is suggested, and Tasmania has expressed willingness to be bound by the result of the proceedings. Mauritius papers report the prospeots of the sugar orop to be good. It is expected to exceed the average by 30 per centum. The market is firm. While the Elizabeth Dougal was loading for Melbourne, and other two vessels for Sydney, a severe cyolone occurred, doing great damage to the houses and orops. Mrs Elizibeth Petrovitz, the wife of an artiat who has been for five years paralysed, shot herself dead with a pistol on Friday morning. The doctor recently told her that l..er husband might die at any time, and it is believed that this preyed on her mind, prompting her rash aot. SYDNEY, April 5. The Orange Slaughtering Company have contracted with agents of the Orient line for the whole space available in the steamers fitted with frozen chambers. The first cargo of 300 tons of frozen meat will be despatched from Orange, and will consist of a consignment sent by the squatters on their own account.

The Cußtomß revenue for the quarter is £288,000, showing an increase of £28,000. The principal items of increase are tobaooo, cigars, spirits, and tea. The land revenue for the same period was £527,000, ond interest £60,000, tho total revenue being £1,393,000, a net inoreaae of £13,000. «■** The Mount Brown diggings are stated to be a complete failure. Loss than ten men now making wages, and the finds of gold have been greatly exaggerated. The roads are execrable. The dirt must be carried ten miles before washing. A telegram from Mount Poole says that five men nearly died of thirst roar Burke track, where there was no water ■within a hundred and twenty milea. Numbers are leaving the diggings. Though some rain had fallen, it soaked through. ADELAIDE, April 5. Tha Victorian team of cricketers played an ! eleven of South Australians, and eventually *on by 151 runs.

BRISBANE, April 5.

The returns for the quarter show the receipts to ba £319,365, compared with £287,993 for last quarter. The returns for the r,ine months show a satisfactory increase, especially the Customs, with every prospect of future prosperity.