AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2394, 5 December 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Tblegbaph.J

[Per e.s. Arawata, at the Bluff.J MELBOURNE, November 30. The Government are particularly desirous to close the session before Gbriatmas. Business is being put forward, and extra sitting days are proposed. The Crown has commenced proceedings against two well-known promoters of race sweeps. In the action Oorr v the Standard Insurance Company of New Zealand, to recover on a policy on the schooner Alma, the defendants alleged that they put the vessel in repair, and had tendered her to the owners, who refused to received her. The jury found for the plaintiff, and that it would take £2OC I to repair the vessel. Interest from May to be added to this amount. G. P. Marrick, Secretary of Shire, Marong, is missing. Criminal proceedings w : ” be instituted against him. Sir A. Michie has resigned his position as chairman of the Education Commission, as private business will not permit him to undertake the duties. Two girls, aged fourteen, were drowned in the Campaspe river while bathing. They were found clasped in each other’s arms in eleven feet of water. Messrs Reid and Blackett were nominated for Eitzroy. There is no opposition yet to Mr Cunningham at Geelong. Three young ladies have been successful for the first year in the course for the degree of Bachelor of Arte of the University, The full Court declined to grant a new trial in the ease of Smith vlflla, on the ground that the evidence showed the defendant had acted without due care. The "Age” has acknowedged the statement as to the reported irregularities in the Union Bank as unfounded, and no further proceedings will be taken. HOBART, November 30. The reported volcano near Hobart has caused some sensation. Hundreds have visited the locality, and are unable to state the cause of the conflagration, but the generally accepted idea is that a bush Are ignited the moss-peat and button-grass. The Agent-General telegraphs that a committee of the Indian and colonial offices be appointed to decide the vexed question of the dates of departure of the Ausiralia mails in the monsoon seasons. It is considered extremely doubtful if the Government will be able to carry the Land Bill in its present shape before the recess. SYDNEY, November 30. Sir H. Parks yesternight stated in the Assembly that all the members of the Ministry, except Mr Robertson, had agreed regarding the course of procedure in the Milbutn Creek ease. With regard to the proposed prosecution, the Government, as Government, knew nothing of it, the matter having been left solely in the hands of the Attorney • General. Bandsman Yates was tried by court martial on board the Wolverine; Captain Maxwell, of the Emerald, as president. Thejprisoner, who was charged with desertion and perjury, pleaded “ Not guilty,” and on both charges he submitted he did not legally belong to the service, and said he had signed no document. The Court found him “ Guilty " on both charges, and he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, and then to be dismissed the service. Oases of smallpox continue to be reported almost daily. BRISBANE, November 30. Mr Lamb, formerly Minister of Lands, asserts that he has been in correspondence with Skuthorp, who, ho considers, has proved his statement respecting the Leiohardfc relics.