LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 438, 20 February 1878, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Eotorua at Auckland.] ■ [press agency.] Melbourne, February 13. . There has been nothing of a startling nature in political circles during the week. The Assembly has parsed a declaratory resolution asserting fits right to make votes legally available for expenditure upon passing the Assembly. The motion was not debated at any length and eventually was carried by 29 votes. Yesterday, Mr Berry proposed'a resolution for an address to the Queen, setting forth, the circumstances of the crisis; this he considered necessary in view of the appeal to the Home Government for an alteration of the constitution, which is said to take the form of a nominee Upper House. In the course of the debate it was suggested a compromise might be arrived at by the Council passing the Payment of Members Bill, and Government withthe item from the Appropriation Bill. Although no member of the frovernment responded, several of its supporters said if it wag agreed .to the Iteuistry must give way to sterner men. TIBs was received with applause by the sujfcorters generally. ~Ou rising the Assembly adjourned to the sth March. Several scenes occurred in the Assembly last night. •*-'• . •' -._ The crisis is now being really felt, and especially?', b} the tradespeople. i Business.-. was never;.so dull in.any Abranch of trade ; no person will specu-

late in land or property of any description, and dullness reigns everywhere—even the theatres and places Of amusement find a great difference in the attendance. Shortly the mechanics, artisans, and laborers generally will feel the effects, as building operations areparalysed, aud persons won't lay out money at the present juncture. Several large important buildings, which were commenced, have been indefinitely postponed. A tender has been accepted for the erection of the Wilson Hall, at the University for £35,910, the generous gift of Sir S. Wilson A number of casualties are lately reported. Two brothers, named Hutchins, were smothered by foul air in a shaft which was being sunk for awell, on a station near Warrnambooh— Yesterday, a schoolboy of 15, named Percy Campbell, committed suicide on the railway. He had his head completely severed from his body. • The cause was a love ariair.—-Later in the day a woman drowned herself in the river through unrequited fire at Port Albert yesterday destroyed five shops, mostly insured. Very heavy mild rains have fallen all over the Colony; the benefit ia invaluable, and the drought is now completely broken up. Sir James M'Cnlloch intends' shortly retiring from Parliament '. Over £SOO have been collected towards the testimonial to Sir, Redmond Barry. The steamer Golden Crown, formerly , running on the Thames, N.Z> changed | hands yesterday for £7BOO at a compulI sory sale. .. _ ' j The opera of " Dil FledermaiiV w the principal attraction just now at the Opera House; the cast is a strong one, including Madame Simonsen. The. other theatres are doing little. I New Zealand oats are in .good I demand, and have advanced considerI ably. j (The Banks have raised the, rate of 'discount 1 per cenj, all round! , I Sir John Copde,.'; thes eminent [engineer, is engaged on the/harbour i works report. It is likely.to be exhausj tive aud valuable. " ' J "'"'' \ '/ j Henry Brettle, a labouring. man at j Sandhurst, kicked his wife in'the an* ! domen last night and killed her. He : has been arrested, . A company is being formed at Syd** ney to ; establish .a trading.station, at the ■ south-east end of New Guinea." ' '* Siiiiior D' Alberfcis travelled 450 miles up Fly River, New .Guinea:., He .found the natives numerous and hostile, Governor'Weld has ridden 100 miles in 13 hours. '' l ■■'■' '-- The Victorian Woollen ''Company | has paid a dividend of 10 per cent. A dreadful murder has occured at I Stroud: Mr M'Caskill. and his wife i have been murdered, and the body of i the latt'-T was partly burnt. | Gerald Supple is to released.