AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2558, 20 June 1882, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tbuhsbaph.]

[Per s.s. Rotorna, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, June 14,

The Governor visited the Japanese corvette Tsukuta yesterday, and was received with honor. A salute of seventeen guns was fired.

The proceedings in Parliament are devoid of interest. In the Assembly, the report of the Select Committee on the Bent charges was considered. The report was adopted without a division. The Bast Bourke election has resulted in the return ef Mr Eobt. Harper, by a very large majority. The brig Albert the Good, from Kaipara, with a cargo of kauri, reports meeting with very tempestuous weather. The wind raged with hurricane force on the 31st, and the vessel was thrown on her beam ends, and lay with her starboard side under water for many hours. The vessel was driven 180 miles N.W. The bulwarks were partly carried away.

SYDNEY, Juno 14. The City of Melbourne has arrived from Noumea. She brings intelligence that the Queensland schooner Magnet, ninety-one tons, was wrecked off the Island of Tanna, during a dead calm, on the 17th May. There was a heavy swell, and the schooner was lifted by the sea over a small reef, and was then left hard and fast on another. No sooner had the vessel become fixed on the reef than she was boarded by a swarm of Natives, who plundered her of everything, even cutting the sails from the yards. In addition to the general cargo, sixty muskets and 1251bs of powder fell into their bands. The Natives rapidly gathered on shore to the number of about 100, and the captain and crew of the Magnet observed numerous guns and tomahawks brought hurriedly down to the men by the women and children, who immediately ran back to cover. The crew took to the boats and barely escaped with their lives. Eventually they reached Port Resolution, twenty miles away, where they were most hospitably received by the Rev. Mr Neilson, and from there reached Noumea on the 31st May by the oohooner Portvilla. Martini Henry and other first-class rifles are said to be by no means uncommon amongst the Natives of Tanna. On one occasion the master of the Portvilla, whilst wolking quietly along the shore of the island, was fired at by a Native, the bullet going through his shirtsleeve. H.M.S. Diamond anchored at Noumea on the 4th instant, en route for the New Hebrides. ADELAIDE. A correspondent of the “ Register” visited the Island of North Palmerston, which is believed to be inhabited by wild and savage Natives, None were sighted, but thousands of buffalos, from the herd left there by the Imperial party, wore eeen. An exploring parly, with camels, is about to bo despatched to open up the country. The Governor has been slightly indisposed. [Per Zealnndia, at Auckland.] MELBOURNE, June 15. In the budget debate Mr Francis urged tho Government to withdraw the proposed remissions on taxation, or withhold them till the new loan would be floated. Sir Bryan O’Lsghlen bad not yet indicated his intentions, and tho debate was adjourned. The situation is considered somewhat serious.

A deputation from the Shire Counciis requested tho Government to grant £60,000 annually as compensation for less or toils. Tho Minister of Works did not give an encouraging reply. Tho Conference of Presbyterian Ministers was held on the 14tb to consider the state of religion in the colony. Henry Bryant was charged with forging tho name of the proprietor of tho “Age.” Tho cate was adjourned. A document was found on the prisoner purporting to bo an agreement with Mr Syme fixing the remuneration for the Russian scare information at £IOO.

SYDNEY, June 15. The case of Goodlet and South against the Government, for compensation on account of land resumed at Pyrmont, was continued yesterday, when the case fur the plaintiff closed. Mills, the Government valuator, gove evidence at length in support of the Government valuation. There was a groat difference between his figures and these of Hardio and Gormon.

There wa* a long meeting at Newcastle yesterday between Messrs Gregson, Fletcher, and miners’ delegates, endeavouring to fix a basis for arbitration in regard to tho strike, but there was no result arrived at. BRISBANE, June 15.

A man entered the Joint Stock Bant of Maryborough on the 14th and fired at the accountant, who returned tho shot. Neither wero hurt. Tho man was immediately arrested. Ho gave the name of Maurice O’Brien, an American. He i* bolievad to be insane.

ADELAIDE, June 15. The officer in olarga of the drainage work* in the south-easi district was arrested for embezzling. The tender of W. Morgan and 00. for the supply of flour to the French G overnment of Now Caledonia wis accepted. Joseph Cories* has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for forging Krug’s champagne labels.