AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2482, 21 March 1882, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Tbibgbaph.] [Per s.s. Albion, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, March 14. The amended Local Government Bill will he submitted to Parliament coon after the commoneoment of the session, and will deal with the recommendatisna of the municipal conferences ; but it is not considered necessary to provide any substitute for Tail’s system. The Cabinet have resolved to purchase one gun boat of the Alpha Beta pattern, to carry a twenty-five ton gnn and two steam launches. The secretary of the Education Department, being examined before the Commission, gave some rather startling evidence as to the number of charges of immorality brongh against the State school teachers, of which the public heard nothing. William Crook, under sentence of death for murder, has bac-n committed to life imprisonment, a number of petitions having boon presented in his favor.

The attendances at the autumn race meetings were scarcely np to those of preceding years. The racing was good, and with largo fields The value of the stakes amounted to over -£9500, the Newmarket Handicap alone being worth .£1450. In the case of Hildcr v Jackson, an action in the Supreme Court to recover a sum of money lout by Hilder to Dr. Cecil Jackson, of Mary borongh, who some time ago was committed for trial for manslaughter of Mias Hilder, a verdict has been given for the amount claimed. The Melbourne Omnibus and Tramway Company intend introducing a Bill next session for the construction of tramways in the city and suburbs.

E. W. Morrah, lately inspector of New Zealand branches, has been appointed to succeed the lute Michael Elliott as manager of tbo Bank of Australasia at Melbourne.

Mr Mortis, the head master of tho Church of England Grammar School, has resigned his appointment owing to a difference of opinion with xha Board of management. The Adelaide case of prisoners concerned in the insurance frauds has been before the Police Court during the week. The evidence discloses that Weatherhead, whose life was insured, had been ill for a long time, and had been under the care of Barker, Hicks and Forsyth. It was shown also that Dr. Horton was under financial obligations to the other prisoners, and that Barker was security for him tor certain loans. A shock of earthqnake was felt at Fort Darwin. It w»b sharp and distinct, but no damage was done.