AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 568, 23 July 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[press agency.]

Melbourne, July 17. There was little of importance trauspired duiing the week. The address, in reply has been adopted by both Houses without amendment or discussion.

A Supply BiU. for £900,000, the largest sum yet included in any temporary Supply Bill, passed both Houses yesterday. The Government will introduce a Constitutional Reform Bdl t->day. It is said they wera principally iu favour of a nominee Upper House, but became amendable to newspaper influence, and thus framed the measure as it now appears.

it has been no secret that the legislation amongst Minister* is by no nieaua of the most cordial character, and during last week there were current rumours of two resignations, but a peace has been p. itched up. The Minister of Lands has been severly taken to task for bluudering •displayed in the administration of his department.

The Minister of Railways was most severly castigated by hw own supporters on Thursday night last, and even his own colli ague and chief read him a lecture on "the floor of the House. Mr Woods made no reply. ' The Commissioner of Customs w net at one with his Colleagues on the subject of the purchase of the Hobson's Bay Railway ; so that altogether it is not a very happy family. The war cry of the Reform Bill will, it is expected, rally the, scattered forces of the Ministers and once more biin» them well in hand.

Sir Aithur Gor len is here, en route to England. Ke leaves to-morrow per Cuzco as High Commisoner for Polynesia. Hri yesterday warned a deputation from the New Guinea Colonization Association of the danger they were incurring in proceeding to New Guinea without adequate protection, and pointed that the proper course was to obtain a charter from the British Government. He told them that every care would be taken for the protection of British inter ests, and the prevention of lawless acts.

Dr. Bradford is still in gaol. On Saturday his case again came before the Court, when an affidavit was read from Dr. Bradford, explaining that his hasty marriage Was due to the strong affection he felt for the young lady, his being apprehensive that the opposition of one of the guardians would have prevented the marriage (a view which has since been ascertained to be erroneous), and his ignorance that he was guilty of any contempt of court. He denied that he was actuated by mercenary motives in marrying the young lady, and stated the settlement he has already signed in New Zealand Was made at the instance of the guardians of the young lady, and professed his willingness to execute any settlement that the Court might order. All the relatives of the young lady were stated to have expressed themselves, that the marriage was a happy oue. His Honor said Dr. Bradford appeared to take a much lighter view of the offence, than he (Mr Justice Molesworth) did. He Would himself prepare minutes of the statement, which the Master was to prepare before Dr. Bradford's should be received, and that neither directly or indirectly would Dr. Bradford have any dealing with the property. The decision of the Court was reserved.