AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2241, 4 May 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Tblbobaph.j

[Per s.s. Rotomahana, at Bluff.] MELBOURNE, April 27.

The Intercolonial Meteorological Conference commenced its sittings on April 2<st, when the following were present i —Mr Todd, South Australia ; Dr. Hector, New Zealand ; Mr tiusaell, Sydney ; Mr Ellery, Melbourne. Dr. Hector gave an account ot the observations taken in pursuance of the recommendation of the Conference of November, 1879. At the next meeting, on the 22nd, reports were received from the Victorian, New South Wales, and Adelaide representatives similar to Dr. Hector's. A discussion was commenced on the subject of a reduced tariff to New Zealand and Tasmania for weather telegrams. In addition to an agreement relative to the exchange of weather telegrams, it waa agreed to divide the south and cast coast linos into eight diviaiona, and the Australian continent into two. The New South "Walea Government were requested to invite the cooperation of Queensland, and New Zealand wid be asked to invite observations at Fiji. The Conference likewise disposed of Beveral other matters of detail.

The adjudication upon the Emperor William's prize at the exhibition took place on the 25th, when the recommendation juries for thirteen classes of industrial manufacturers in Australia were heard. Professor Rouleanx finally decided in favor of Costella, and alluded to the importance of the excellent standard now attained by Colonial wines. The prize consists of silver plate to the value of .£7OO, and the names of the recommended exhibitors will be engraved thereon. Photographs will also be distributed to the jurymen, public institutions, &c. The name of the Mosgiel Woollen Factory was first included among the list of firms recommended, but was subsequently expunged, owing to the nomination of the Albion Factory, Geelong, by the aimo jury. Seventy thousand shares have now been alleted in the Victoria Tramway Company. A meeting on the 21st decided to offer the public the remaining 30,000. The Melbourne Steam Navigation Board on the 23rd, held an inquiry into the collision between tli9 yacht Taniwha and the steamer Alert during a race between the Taniwha and May Queen on April 2nd. The Board dec : ded that both vessels were culpable, the Taniwha for neglecting to look out, and the Alert for not sounding her whistle. No officers were charged with default.