AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2475, 13 March 1882, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By ThujsraphJ

[Per s.s. Te Anau, at the Blnff.J MELBOURNE!, March 8. The Governor intends leaving for Queensland on the 20th on a visit to his son. He will be absent about three weeks. A stir is being made on.the question of the defences. The Government intend to order two gunboats on the Alpha Beta model, with a high rats of speed, constructed on the pattern adopted by the Admiralty, each to carry a 25-ton gun, at a cost of £25,000 each; also two Thorneyhope torpedo boats, to cost about £7OOO each. With the Cerberus placed in proper trim, the annual expenses for the naval service will be increased by £2OOO. On the news of the attempted assassination of the Queen the greatest manifestation of sympathy and loyalty wore exhibited in all parts of the colony. At many of the places of entertainment the National Anthem evoked an unusual display of enthusiasm, and brought the audiences to their feet. Addresses have been sent by the Governor on behalf of the colony, and by the Mayor of the city, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, In most of the churches there were special references in the sermons and in the prayers. Everywhere the most loyal feeling has been called forth.

The Customs re venue for February amounted to £171,387, or an increase of £40,000 over the corresponding month of last year. Several of the cases arising out of the Jolimont railway accident have been heard, and’ in every case verdicts with substantial damages have been given for the plaintiffs, Mr Ohomley having been confirmed as the Commissioner of Police, has been called upon to report to the Government with a view of increasing the general efficiency of the force.

The new permanent Artillery force, which is to be enrolled, will be on the basis of military service, and will probably consist of 120 men, mostly to bo employed at the batteries at Queenscliffe. The reward for the Kelly gang will be distributed in accordance with the recommendation of the Board, except that the gratuity to Ournow, the schoolmaster, will be increased to £IOOO, for the valuable services he rendered.

Another head board of the Sobraon has bean picked up, and it has been explained that she vent to sea with both her head boards on, and they must hare been washed off with the first heavy sea. The Orient steamer Garonne took to England 4000 picked carcasses of sheep.