AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2487, 27 March 1882, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By TsiaasiPH.]

[Per s.s, Hotomahana, at the Bluff.] SYDNEY. March 22.

The chairman of the Booksellers and Stationers’ Association, at the recent picnic, said that a stream of literary garbage was trickling through the Custom House, which was far worse in its effects to the youth of Sydney than the epidemic of smallpox. Colonel Grossman, who is visiting the defences of the British possessions, in order to report to the British Government, has expressed himself pleased with the fortifications of Sydney. A considerable scare was produced last Sunday by the announcement that a vessel had arrived from London with smallpox aboard. One death had occurred off Brazil, but not from smallpox. Great distress prevails amongst the diggers at Mount Browne and Mount Poole, owing to the want of water and the scarcity of provisions. The Government contemplate sending assistance, but there are difficulties on account of the district being so isolated. Water is selling at fid per bucket, and the diggers are glad to drink water from any of the mining claims. It is probable that camels will be employed to proceed from Beltana to convey provisions. There are about 1000 to 1500 on the ground, and a rush may bo expected if wet weather sets in. MELBOUBNE, March 22. The English cricketers loft this morning by the Chimborazo. The tour has been a pecuniary success. At Dunnolly they played a match against twenty-two, and won in one innings. They also played a one innings match at Ballarat, which they won easily. At the Eister Encampment it is intended to have field operations on an extensive scale, extending from the Western Pott to the Heads.

The Governor has left for Queensland on a visit to the Hon, Lord Hervey Phipps, and will return in about a fortnight.

The land revenue continues to come in freely, and greatly exceeds the estimate. The drought continues. The rainfall for the year is still three inches below the average of the last twenty-four years. Water trains are still running to some of the country districts, and the local bodies are setting about forming dams and reservoirs.

The Bishop of Melbourne has delivered an interesting lecture on irrigation to the farmers of Kerang. Two more cases have occurred of persons suffering from injuries who have died in the Melbourne Hospital of erysipelas. The defence question is being taken up by the Government with some energy. The Ministers and military authorities have made an inspection of the defences, and it is believed the Government are prepared to aek Parliament for a large vote. Last Saturday an accident occurred at Windsor station which might have resulted very seriously. An empty train, from which the passengers had just alighted was standing at tke station, where it was run into by the Brighton express, going at the rate of about six miles an hour. Several persons in the express received slight injuries, caused principally by the shock, but very little damage was done to the rolling stook. The accident is attributed to the engine driver, who proceeded on bis course regardless of the caution signals, but the absence of a continuous brake on the train was also the cause. Tiie Commissioner of Bail ways was on the platform and witnessed the collision.

Great efforts are being made to make up the sum of £25,000 for the cathedral fund and claim Mr Ormond’s £SOOO by the end of this month ; £IOOO is yet required. The committee of the Sailors’ Best, in view of Mr Samuel Plimsoll’a visit to the colony, intend to present him with an address of welcome.

The Tramway Company have given notice of their intention to introduce a Bill in Parliament next session for the construction of a tramway in the city and suburbs.

ADELAIDE, March 22

Messrs Barker, Hicks and Forsyth, and Dr. Horton have been committed for trial on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the Mutual Assurance Company, The evidence is very similar to that given in the previous case. Thomas Hardy, who recently visited the Northern territory, believes that an expenditure of capital would make it the richest portion of the Australasian colonies. He is now en route to London to float a large company to develops the mineral wealth of the territory.

Mr Bhind, the Adelaide manager of the Bank of New South Wales, has been appointed New Zealand inspector of the branches of that Bank.

A shook of earthquake has been felt at Strathalbeyn.