AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2583, 18 July 1882, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By TblbsbaphJ

[Per s.s. Manipouri at the Bluff.]] MBLBOUBNE, July 13. Sinoe the tobaooo duties were affirmed and the budget proposals as a whole approved, political events have been quiet. Some progress has been made with the Railway Bill. The comprehensiveness of the measure is commending it to members, Mr Mirams, as chairman of the Tariff Commission, bears witness to the strength of the feeling for intercolonial free trade. He says he will be greatly disappointed if the Commission be not able, while preserving the prinoiple of protection, to make proposals to secure the desired end. The insurance companies have accepted an insurance for £IOO,OOO on the new Law Courts at 2s per cent. Three accidents occurred on the Suburban railway line on the same day, but no serious result was occasioned. Bich oase ooourred owing to the defeotive working of the points, where new works were in progress. The Austral and the Manapouri, the two latest special modern ocean steamships, created muoh interest, and were largely visited. The sudden death of Mr John Matheson, late manager of the Bank of Viotoria, has caused general regret. It was very sudden, the cause being apoplexy. A young man. Maxwell, manager of the Colonial Bank of Winchelaea, is under remand for embezzlement.

The Government is increasing the berthing accommodation at Williamstown, to meet the demand of the new Meisageries steamers, beginning next year. Tbe Harbor Trust is making a new wharf on the banks of the Yarra. A singular oase of neglect causing death ocourred at Sandhurst. An old woman and her daughter were fonnd suffering from disease in a hut, oovered with vermin. The woman died. An old man, who was in an adjoining hut in a similar oondition, also died. There were ample provisions and money found in the hut. Owing to the breaking of the driving wheel of the steamer Durham, when between Adelaide and Portland, she had to put into the latter port, and subsequently came on to Melbourne without mishap. SYDNEY, July 13. An expedition sailed for Port Darwin to explore and inspeot new country in Western Australia. It consists of six men and twentytwo horses, and is provided for a six months' journey. The object is to look for pastoral country. Information has been reoeived that the British India Company is building two new steamers for the Queensland trade. Over 60 000 sacks of wheat from San Franoisoo arrived last week. HOB&RT, July 13. Parliament has opened. The Hon. T. D. Ohapman was elected President of the Council, and Dr. Batten was re-elooted Speaker of the Assembly.