AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 914, 4 September 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, 'August 27,

Some verry disgraceful scenes have been enacted in the As*«tnhly. On Wednesday night last, Messrs Gannson and Paterson, Minister of Public Works; commenced a v ordy warfare; which almost Jed to blows. Mr Gannson, who was in one of his lively moods called Mr Patterson “ a cattle duffer,” and hinted most strongly that he had been talked to severely by a Judge in ft cattle stealing case. This was sufficient to rouse the ire of the Minister. He nigd the accusation, and then followed a adeue ill which the words “Scoundrel” “ Bully,” “ Blackguard,” “ Whelp, and “ Cur ” were freely used. One promised to flog the other and to break every bone In his skin, but it all came to nothing. The House adjourned in some confusion, but there was no personal violence, and next day Mr Gaunsou gracefully apologised td : the chairman* but Mr Patteradn who was present said nothing. The full particulars of the Lancefield Bank robbery shows how easily a bank may be stuck up. The. two men were quite novices in the business, They started from Melbourne to rob a bank at Heathcote, but losing their way in the bush found themselves at Lancefield, and they ivsolved to turn their attention to that bank. They themselves were quite nervous and frightened when they first entered the premises, but finding the bank officials in such a state of trepidation it gave them courage, so that; as one of the prisoners, said, any old washerwoman could have stuck the bank up. The gag was tied into the accontant’s month with a piece of cotton and hung loosely down, and one of the so-called revolvers is said to have been merely a pipe case. The men left on foot, walking leisurely, and they say they saw from an elevated position the commotion in the township. Their capture was not difficult; Hearn, the New Zealand scalier* met Messenger on Saturday on the Lower Yarra, but had no chance with him. Messenger led off from the start, and kept in front the whole of the distance, winning by a 'couple of lengths. There was a large crowd to witness the contest, and just before the start Hearn was slightly favorite. The iron ship Amyone, recently from Liverpool, was found to be on fire last Friday morning in the fore bold. The vessel was alongside the Railway Pier* Saudridge. She was towed out into the stream, and scuttled in 23ft. of 1 water, where shfc now lies; She had only arrived a few days previously* and but two tons of cargo was discharged. The value of the cargo was £30,000. The cause of the fire, it is believed* 'tfas the sailors going with ligipfcs intd the hold. She is a fine ship, and commatided by Capt. Robertson, formerly of the steamer Great.Britiam

Some heavy rain has, fallen, but a great deal move ia wanted, as the general average for tbs. year is still about six inches below the previous year’s. The crops are said to be looking i- f be country. Indeed everyiis already ranch too forward.