AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2448, 9 February 1882, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Ibmgbaph.] MELBOUBNE, February 2. Murray Smith prooeeds to London in I March. He fancies that he will probably be ; recognised as the leader of the Constitutional party. The United Australian Mutual Insurance Company has deolared a dividend of 8 per cent., and carried forward £IOOO. The Commercial Bank declared a similar dividend. It is reported that black diphtheria ia a bad form prevails in some parts of the oolomy. A fire broke out in the pulpit of Chalmers' Church, Oastlereigh street, on the 31st. It was extinguished only after the pulpit was entirely destroyed. At' the Newton Police Court, a youth named Blanohard, believed to be of unsound mind, was oommitted for trial for setting fire to the Wesleyan Churoh at Stanmore. During a heavy gale on the 31st three large vessels broke their moorings at New* castle, but all were restored to their plaoes without much damage. The first steamer of the French Messageries line to Australia is expeated to arrive in November. The Marcus Clark fund amounts to £IO4O, and trustees have been appointed to administer the money. SYDNEY, February 2. A Liedertafel has been established in Sydney with a choir of forty and 330' subscribers: The London Missionary Society's schooner, Ellengowan, respecting tbe safety of whioh fears were felt, arrived at Sydney yesterday. Sir John Inr.es decided that publicans holding licenses under the old Act must conform to the provisions of tbe Aot passed last year and close at eleven nightly. The jury at the inquest on the recent fire at the Junee Station returned a- verdict that tbe fire was caused by sparks falling upon tbe tarpaulin. They refute the charges circulated that drunkenness pravailed during the fire. PERTH, February 2. A Kimberley pearl realised £I2OO in Lordon. Public service in connection with the Wesleyan Conference, in session in Sydney, was held on January 25th for the purpose of praying for rain. The public were invited to attend. On Liverpool Plains leveral deaths from sunstroke occurred. The thermometer registered 120 degrees. BRISBANE, February 2. Mr Griffith, leader of the Opposition, with Mr Miles, member of the Assembly, were banquetted at Townsville. Both advocated the payment of members and triennial Parliaments. Heavy rains are reported in various parts of the oolony. The heat is intense, and several deaths have occurred recently from heat and apoplexy. Jessop was elected for Dalby. Distress continues to prevail among the farmers in the north in consequonoe of the failure of the crops. The Commissioner of Lands intends to visit the districts where distress is reported. The Chief Secretary promised to reoommend a grant of £3OO for the representation of the colony at the Bordeaux Wine Exhibition. Major Ferguson's mission to India for coolies for the Northern Territory is concluded. He leaves Bombay for Adelaide. Obituary—The Rev. Austen, who was a oolonist since 1843.