AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2352, 17 October 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Tbleqsaph.J [Per a.s. Eotomahana, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE. October 12. Sir B. O’Loghlen, explaining to the Homo the manner in which the Government proposed to spend the four million loan, said that two millions and three-quarters would ho available for new railways. It was estimated to construct about 400 miles of light lines or tramways, and 250 miles of main lines, or 650 altogether. About £300,000 were required for new school buildings, and £25,000 for additional water supply for Melbourne, varying from forty to fifty million gallons per day additional to that already available; £200,000 in Law Courts and Parliament buildings. These were the main items. The rest was for water works in country districts and various harbor works, in accordance with Sir J. Goode’s reports. In connection with the forgery of Crown grants, the work was very cleverly imitated, almost perfect. The author is said to be a clerk, recently in a solicitor’s office, named Hoskins, He left the colony some months ago. His death has since been reported in the Inilian papers, but disbelieved. The second officer of the Cardigan Castle having died at sea from a case of supposed small pox, the vessel was quarantined on arrival, but, as all necessary precautions were taken, she was soon released. Two miners, Davey and Handry, were killed in Catherine reef mine, Eagle Hawk, by the breaking of a rope which had been in constant use for three years. Both men were frightfully mutilated. The recent rain may have the effect of saving the late sown crops. In many instances the early sown crops have been ruined. There are about 150 horses now in active training at Kensington. Sir Modred, Bomnus, Idalium, and Hilarious are all doing well.

The Hon. W. Campbell shortly proceeds to Europe. His departure creates a vacancy in the Council. A new line of steamers has started to trade between Australia and Bordeaux. The Precursor, the pioneer of the line, is expected in a few days. The “ Evening Mail,” issued by the “ Argus ” proprietary, is to bo a halfpenny paper. The “Evening World,” a new paper, also comes out this month. It is owned by the " Punch ” pr priotary. In response to an appeal of the Bishop a number of handsome donations have been made in aid of the Anglican Cathedral Fund. Mr Joseph Clark and Mr Henry Miller each contributed £6OOO. The Government are making good progress with the public business. Several Bills promised at the commencement of the session have been introduced. Alderman Ham was unanimously elected Mayor of Melbourne. It has transpired that the Stock Tax has caused a loss to the railway revenue of forty

thousand. The ataoant of the tax oolleoted scarcely counterbalancss the loss.

At a recent sale of English frozen- game, grouse fetched fifteen shillings per brace; capons, twelve shillings and sixpence each, Mrs Pippin, wife of a selector, and two daughters were drowned by the upsetting of a dray in a creek near Xerang. Signor Giammona was fined £5- and seven guineas costs for assaulting; Alfred Maul, musician and critic for the “Age.”' Forty-four claims for compensation by the late railway accident have been received already, and have been amicably settled. SYDNEY, October 12, A correspondent states that Sbuthorpe asserts that he has a diary of Leichardt's, containing full particulars of all his transactions. He also has Classen's diary. Classen, he states, lived three years with the blacks, and three times attempted to escape, but was captured and flogged. Skuthorpe declares that he was taken to Classen’s grave by the natives. He describes that a skeleton of a man with a long black beard was found under a tree, on which was inscribed the word “dig.” He thus found the box containing the relics. The Government has promised to entertain Skuthorpo’s claim only if its bona tides is proved by competent persons. Oases of smallpox continue to be reported from various suburbs. This is said to be duo to the fact that so many persons are still unvaccinated, .

The new Licensing Amendment Bill in the Assembly makes the hour for closing public-houses eleven o’clock at night. A number of Australian bishops and Church dignitaries assembled for the meeting of the Anglican Church Synod. The Bishops of Sydney, Adelaide, Tasmania, and Grafton were absent. Seven bishops, however, were present.

ADELAIDE, October 12. A man named Clarke and his two sons wer* found dead in bed at Millioent. Clarke, it was ascertained, murdered his two boys, and then committed suicide, no doubt in a state of madness. The rain will be a great advantage, especially in the northern area.