AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2383, 22 November 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Br TuLEQEAPH.j

[Per s.s. Ringarooma at the Bluff. J

MELBOURNE, November 16.

At the Mayoral banquet on the ninth the Governor and about 700 guests were present. Sir B. O’Loghlen, replying to the toast of “The Ministry,” expressed his pleasure at the policy of the Government having met with the approval of the country. He intimated that there were two practical measures which he hoped to see passed this session—improved water supply for Melbourne and suburbs, and the Harbor Trust Bill. The Commodore met with a cordial reception. Referring to recent events, he said that nothing was further from his thoughts than to be discourteous either to the Bench or the people of the colony. He said that he intended to return to England in one or two months, and congratulated the colony upon having such a first-class ship as the Nelson on the station.

The Minister for Lands, in introducing the Land Bill into the Assembly, stated that about nine and a half million acres would bo available for selection under the present Bill. Present selectors would be allowed to select 320 acres in addition to their existing holdings. A new selector may take up 640 acres. There are twenty-two million acres for pastoral occupation. Mr Mirams has given notice in favor of long leases instead of alienation. It is probable that the Land Bill will not bo passed this session. In the Chinese Bill new clauses are inserted, preventing alien Chinese from voting at elections.

Mrs Jones claims £SOOO for the destruction of the Glenrowan Hotel, bnrnt down during the Eelly capture. The Board is now sitting to consider the claim.

Great activity prevails in the building trade. One firm alone employs 432 men and boys. A Manchester firm, Messrs Joseph Morgan and Co., are prepared to start a factory hero for the manufacture of candle cotton, in tho event of a protective duty of 20 to 25 per cent, being imposed, which it is stated is necessary in order to compete with the American and German makers. The question will be submitted to the Tariff Commission.

A. E. Moore, injured in the Jolimont accident, claims £IO,OOO damages. The sums demanded by the relatives of the Rev. Garrett and Mr Bailliere are £6OOO.

None of tho New Zealand horses entered for the December meeting of the Amateur Turf Club, for which numerous entries hare been received.

On the night of the 12th instant, John Sergeant, who recently underwent three months’ imprisonment for assault on tho Hon. Mr Munro, went to that gentleman’s residence, near Toorak, and, in the absence of the principal members of the family, forced himself into the house and deliberately smashed a quantity of valuable property, valued at about £3OO. Sergeant said fie web aggrieved at something Mr Munro wrote about him, and took this means o£ wreaking revenge. He was arrested early next morning, and brought before the Police Court, and remanded to gaol, being unable to find the heavy bail required. A case is proceeding, Oorr, Powell and others, late owners of the schooner Alma, against the Standard Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand. Tho schooner was insured in the Melbourne office of the company for one year for £ISOO. She left Melaourne in August, 1880, and arrived at Greymouth in September, and while being towed across the bar tho tow rope broke, and tho vessel drifted on the beach. Defendants say that they repaired the schooner properly, and offered her to the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs deny that she was sufficiently repaired. Hugh Lavery, convicted at Sandhurst of administering poison to McOoll with intent to kill, has had the death sentence remitted to life imprisonment. There is a dispute between Mr Pritchard and Mr Prince relative to the ownership of the Now Zealand horses. Possession has been regained by tho former, but the dispute is not settled, and legal proceedings have been instituted.

The ships Eurynome and Scotland, which sailed from Geelong for London, have been oat, the former 183, and the latter 220 days. SYDNEY, November 16.

Mr 8. O. Brown, who has been appointed Postmaster-General, resigns his seat for New Town, and represents the Government in the Council.

Advices from New Caledonia report the total loss of the schooner Henrietta, with ten lives. The cause of the wreck is believed to be overloading with nickel ore. Mrs Watson's diary has been discovered on Lizard Island. The entries, dated on the 30th September, show that she fought bravely against a number of Natives for the lives of herself and children. On the arrival of the Nelson the Wolverine is likely to be handed over to the Government for a training ship, the colony paying the expenses of sending the officers and crew to England.

Mr Watson made his financial statement last night. He first alluded to the great increase in the production of wool, in proof that the land laws had advanced the pastoral interests of the colony. He estimated the total surplus at £1,190,000, the largest the colony had even pronuced. If the present estimate of the revenue held good, it would exceed the anticipations previously formed by £907,000. The estimated income would be £704,000 in excess of last years. It was proposed to pay off £232,000 in terminable debentures. It was not intended at present to launch another loan in England owing to the rapidity with which the revenue was coming in but whoa the next loan was raised part would be placed in the colony. It was not intended to interfere with the tariff, as there was no necessity for increased taxation. In conclusion, ho stated that the revenue had increased sixfold since 1556.

The captain of the pearling schooner Ariel reports a treacherous attack on hie vessel by natives at Solomon Islands while in company with the schooner Dancing Wave Twenty canoes, full of natives, made an attempt to seize the schooners by stealth in the absence of the boats, but wero driven off by a volley of musketry. The attempt was repeated, but also failed.

A new end important phase in the Milburn Creek scandal will shortly be developed. It is stated that five individuals are to bo prosecuted criminally for misdemeanour in connection with a Parliamentary rote.

ADELAIDE, Novombar 16,

A special meeting of the Diocesan Synod was held on the 9th, to receive the formal resignation of Bishop Short. The Bishop delivered a farewell address, and explained that failing health compelled him to retire. He intends proceeding to Europe shortly. A definite proposal has been made to the Government on behalf of some London capitalists for the construction of the transcontinental railway to Port Darwin, on condition, that the Government pay 4 per cent, upon the capital expended by the company during the construction, and that alternate blocks be given to the extent of 57,000,000 acres. The special correspondent of the “ Advertiser " estimates the average yield of the wheat harvest at six and a half bushels per acre, which, on two million acres, will give a surplus of 243,000 tons. The total crop is estimated at 4,400,000 bushel# more than last year.