AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1597, 28 July 1874, Page 302

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

MELBOURNE. 15th July. A correspondent, writing to the Argus, states that the Rev. Robert Fleming, late of Otago, has been refused recognition as a preacher in Victoria. The Assembly last night passed the Reform Bill through Committee, and agreed to the proposition of the Government, prohibiting the joint Assembly from making alterations in money bills. _ The revenue of the Colony of Victoria for the year amounts to £4,102,000, the largest yet obtained, and exceeding the Treasurer's estimates by £300,000. The Customs, Public Works, and miscellaneous show a large increase, but the territorial revenue a falling off, owing to the Government withholding the sale of land by auction. The Chief Secretary has suffered a relapse, and is confined to his bed. The Municipal Conference is now sitting on the Local Government Bill, introduced by the Government. A testimonial has been resented to Rupert Green, lately acquitted in the Queen-street explosion case. Gavin Cassey, surgeon, at Brighton, was yesterday committed by the coroner, for twenty-four hours, for contempt, while giving evidence at an inquest. The question of erecting a lighthouse at Cape Nelson, or Cape Bridgewater. is under consideration by the Government.

On Thursday last, iu reply to Mr Pyke, who asked whether the Government would reconsider the question of members allowance, the Premier said the question was one containing so many anomalies that it was advisable the whole question should be seriously considered. He would therefore move that a select committee be appointed to take the whole subject into consideration. The Electric Telegraph Act Amendment Bill, and the Government Insurance and Annuities Bill, have been passed in the Lower House. The new rush at Greenstone, between Hokitika and the Grey, is turning out most satisfactorily. The prospects are improving daily, and already sixteen claims have struck gold. Others have been driven back, the front country being taken up. Extensive goldfields are expected to be shortly opened. Miners are flocking in from all parts of the coast. The Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill, introduced for the third time by Mr Steward, passed its second reading on the 23rd July, after some discussion, twenty members voting for the bill, and nine against. The Premier opposed the bill on the motion for the third reading ; but it was passed by 24 to 17. It will most probably be thrown out by the Upper House. The Civil' Service Act Amendment Act and the Justices of the Peace Act Amendment Act have passed their third reading in the House of Representatives. In the House of Representatives, at the request of Mr Luckie, M.H.R., the Govern, ment have promised to furnish all particulars regarding the leasing of a large block of land to Alfred Cox, in Hawke's Bay. The Ballarat Courier has been informed that a fortune of £30,000 has fallen to the lot of one of the workmen in a Ballarat foundry. He received the news by the mail, and immediately commenced drinking, was found in a gutter, and finished the night in the lock-up. The other day (says the Braidwood Dispatch) a.gentleman in this district accosted an individual rather sharply whom ho met riding through his paddocks without permission, and who in, fact had been making a habit of doiug so for some timeWhat was his astonishment however, at receiving a letter from the fellow a few days afterwards challenging him to fight a duel. The note was delivered at this gentleman's house, and (excepting the omission of the names) the following is a literal copy of it:—" May 13, 1874 : I repulse this incult From you, Mr • I challenge You tocingle combat leving you to take yur choase of weepings, to chuse the Ground of fighting. I am Yurs truely," &c.