AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2718, 26 December 1882, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Bt Telegeaph,

[Per s.s. "Wairarapa, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, December 19 A crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held in the Town Hall on Saturday night last. The Governor, the Marquis of Normanhy, was in the chair. His Excellency made a speech and referred to the sad calamity at Creswick in feeling terms. Bishop Moorhouse also spoke. The subscription now amounts to nearly .£IO,OOO. A discussion of considerable interest in commercial circles took place on Monday in the Central Criminal Court during a trial for embezzlement. The Crown proposed to put in evidence a press copy of a certain letter. The counsel for the defence submitted that it was not evidence, as there ■was nothing to show that the letter was actually sent as copied. It might have been torn up. Eventually, Judge Williams admitted it with some doubt. Two boys travelling on the train to Portland saw what they believed to be an empty cigjar box under the seat. On opening it the head of a black snake darted out and attempted to bite the hand of one of the boys. The snake crossed his arm, and before he could recover was thrown out of the window. The police are endeavoring to discover who placed the box there, as the snake was of a deadly type. George Rignold, who is playing “ Lights of London,” sprained his ancle severely during the performance of Saturday night and was unable to appear since. George Darrell, who is in Melbourne, took the part at short notice. The transit of Venus party from the Observatory here went over to Hobart lately, and when the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company found the nature of the expedition, they refunded the fares and freight on the instruments. The strike of the tailoresses continues. The women have formed a union. The inquest on Thomas, killed by the Hawthorne accident, still proceeds. The -witnesses agree that the special was allowed to pass Hawthorne five minutes Before due time. The Police Commission have decided to .allow Inspector Larner to retire from the force. Colonel Hutton made the first half-yearly inspection recently, and formed a permanent artillery force. He expressed approval of the discipline and efficiency of the men. A meeting was held on Monday night to form a Highland Company of Volunteers in Melbourne. Major Flood Page, late adjutant of the London Scottish, now in Australia, offered to give the benefit of his -experience in the formation of the corps ._ The Council of the University having the privilege of nominating a cadet to Sandhurst Military College, have chosen Gordon Anderson, son of the late Colonel Anderson, commandant of the Victorian forces. He will proceed home to commence lus studies. All the theatres of Melbourne have arranged to give benefit performances in rid of the Creswick fund. SYDNEY, December 19A man named Charles Gray, a recent arrival from New Zealand, was found in his lodgings with his throat severely cut and other wounds. It is believed his mind is affected. Mr McElhoae elects to sit for the Upper Hunter district ; Mr W. B. Dailey, Q.C-, will contest the vacancy for East Sydney. A fatal accident occurred to Mrs Brown, .a member .of Uncle Tom’s CompanyDuring the voyage from Sydney to Newcastle she suffered seasickness, fell and fractured her skull, and died in the Hospital at Newcastle. BRISBANE, December 19. Mr Thallon, late appointed Manager of Jtailways, has resigned.