AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1606, 28 August 1874, Page 338

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

MELBOURNE. 18th August. The want of confidence motion in the Government was debated two nights, and was negatived without a division. The Government then proceeded with ordinary business, and it'is likely that matters will proceed quickly until the treasurer makes his financial statement, when a fresh onslaught will be made on the tariff question. Two vacancies in the Council have been filled by the unopposed re-election of the retiring members. The libel action of Walker v. George, the publisher of the Australasian, resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff on two counts, damages a farthing, and for defendant on one count. The Judge refused to certify for plaintiff's costs. In a slander action, Mekin, a solicitor, v. Neeley, where the plaintiff was accused by defendant, a clerk in a Crown Solicitor's Office, of putting his name to a list of witnesses' expenses, after it had been signed by the Judge, a verdict was returned for the defendant. A mining accident occurred at the Prince of Wales claim, Ballarat,yesterday afternoon. Two men were killed. A return of shareholders of Tookey's mine was held at Ballarat yesterday, and it was resolved that the capital of the company be increased from £77,500 to £117,500, by the issue of 20,000 new shares at £2 each. It was also resolved that theTookey Company Association borrow £50,000 from the New Zealand Government, and Tookey to give mortgage £15,000, as their share of the proposed loan, but no security to be given which would have the effect of causing any liability to the share-hclders. Rumors are current, that the Californian mail service has collapsed, which were occasioned by Mr Hall's sudden departure per Mikado. The Government has telegraphed _ to London for information, meanwhile, the City of Melborne is advertised to take the mail under the management of the A.S.N. Company, calling only at Honolulu. 21st August. The Assembly has been occupied during the week in the discussion of the Local Government Bill. The Postmaster-General has been reelected by a large majority. " The libel action is proceeding against the Herald by the Theatre Royal proprietors, in reference to the production of the play " Princess Trebizonde." At the annual horse sale, " Little Barman " was purchased by Mr Combe, of New Zealand, for £409, and "Renfrew Jack" by Mr M'lntosh, also of New Zealand, for 460 guineas. The cable between Singapore and Batayia is still interrupted, owing to repairs being effected. The German expedition to witness the transit] of Venus arrived by the mail steamer, and will proceed to the Auckland Islands. The English expedition for Christchurch sailed per Merope, on July the 14th. SYDNEY. 18th August. The Government has addressed the Imperial authorities, advising the annexation of New Guinea. Parliment has further adjourned until the 15th September. Captain Gowland, E.N., Admiralty surveyor, while engaged in a boat with three men surveying at the heads, the boat upset, and Gowland and one man were drowned; the others reached the shore. A singular case of madness occurred on board the Minora, on her voyage from Auckland to Newcastle. James M'Lean, a stowaway, hung himself, and was just cut down in time to save his life. He was found to be raving mad. Hawkesbury races.—Goldsborough won the Grand Handicap; Sir H. Robinson's colt Kingsborougli won the Hawkesbury Guineas, aud Mare's Produce Stakes. 21st August. Mr Parkes, in an address to his constituents, said, in reference to the Californian service, that telegrams will be sent to Sir Charles Cowper, to notify to the Crown Law officers that the bond of £50.000 will be enforced against Hall's co-partners. Ho said the service would be carried on. Madame Goddard, after disappointing the public at Batburst, pursued a similar course, at Sydney. After being advertised for three concerts she suddenly left for Melbourne. It seems she objected to ono of the professionals in the company. Affairs at the Palmer are favorable. The alluvial diggings are proving rich and extensive. 'There is still great difficulty in obtaining supplies. ADELAIDE. 18th August. The Intercolonial Free Traders' Bill is being opposed. 729,000 tons of breadstuff's were exported during the year.