LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 280, 28 August 1877, Page 1

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, August 22. The Treasury Budgetahews the estimated revenue for current year to be £4,476,888, but allowing for remission of Customs expenditure it amounted to £4,860,000, showing a deficiency of £383,000, which made up her audit balance from last, year of £205,679. Land tax, £200,090'; live stock tax,. £500,000; leaving a balance earned' forward of £46,066. New duties are imposed to the extent of £15,000, and increased duties £IB,OOO, but on the ether hand the remissions are £6OOO. Breadstuff are untouched, but dried fruits and stores are freer; bags Mid woolsacks are now taxed, and an increase made on children’s boots, earthenware, doors, and matches. The principal objection to the scheme is in the land tax, which is the same as, put before the country and to the live , stock tax, on horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs, whether by land or sea. The defence requirements are to be - paid out of the ordinary expenditure! which contains several heavy items. No fresh cases of small pox haveoo- , curred, and all doing well. The drought still continues. Wagner’s “ Lohengrin” was produced for the first time in the Colonies by - Lyster’s Opera Company. It was a" brilliant success. The last Australian telegraph line is now opened .within 160 miles, end a horse express is being run. A political dead lock continues in Adelaide, and the large ironworks for working Tasmanian'iron pies, are about to be constructed in Melbourne.