AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 615, 17 September 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per s.B. Claud Hamilton, at the Bluff.] [press agency.] Melbourne, September 11. In the Assembly last week some progress was made with the Estimates, It was proposed to give the position of clerks assistant in the Assembly to an ex-member who resigned his place as whip to the Government, in order to furnish Professor Pearson with the seat for Oastlemaine. This caused some discussion and criticism. David Gaunson has gone over to the Opposition, and yesterday he complained of an article in the Age reflecting upon him, and moved that it was a scandalous libel and a breach of the privilege of the House. The Government did not support tho motion which was withdrawn. Government do not appear’likely to float their loan so easily as they imagined. The state of the London market is such just now as to make the floating of loans rather a hazardous proceeding, This has been confirmed by the banks here. The second reading of the Loan Bill was to have been moved last night, but the Exhibition Bill was partially dealt with instead. The Parliamentary proceedings of last week have not possessed much interest. It is rumored the Government intend to dissolve Parliament if possible before Sir George Bowen leaves. The Government intend calling for tenders for a new mail service via Galle, and also direct to Aden and Suez. This latter will give the Orient line an opportunity of competing with the P. and O. Company, and they are angumenting their fleet. The treatment of the Admiralty survey by the Government in discontinuing the local allowances, has led to the Admiralty withdrawing their officers and removing them to Tasmania. It is said that Governor Bowen has not altogether escaped scathless. It is known that Captain Stanley, the Admiralty Surveyor,. wrote a spirited despatch after the memorable Black Wednesday proceedings, and that the Governor got him to modify it. The Exhibition commissioners have got to work. The composition of the commission does not give unmixed satisfaction. The small steamer Napier, employed to bring up goods from the Loch Ard has been wrecked at Port Campbell, No lives were lost. Very welcome rain has fallen in this and the neighboring Colonies doing much good. The weather has been very sultry. There has been no betting on the Melbourne Cup for some time, but now the Rand wick Races are over, attention will be turned to the Melbourne meeting. Business continues very dull. The wool season is fast 'setting in. Some of the early clips have arrived. Just now there is much competition amongst all the Colonies for the carriage and shipment of the river borne wool. George Regnold opens in Henry the Fifth at the Royal on Saturday. Creswick has returned and is playing at the’ Opera House. The Octoroon, with a negro band, is being performed at the Academy of Music and Princess’s Theatre. The loan is to be for five millions at 4£ per cent