VICTORIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 661, 9 March 1859, Page 5

VICTORIA.

WeMvave Metboufne papersfto thjß;.r4th tilt.- ?„„ The Legislative Council of th'e7lotji~ got through an extraordinary amount of business, chiefly in committee. In addition to notices of motion and other formal business, about a dozen bills were " further considered" in committee? On the Registration Act, and the National- Bank Act, discussion ensued, and sundry alterations were effected in the clauses of the former. The 17th clause of the Nationalßank Act, relating to the amount of monetary accommodation obtainable by directors, was passed, ,after strong opposition from Mr. Fawkner and others.

It was anticipated that a discussion on the ministerial land policy would take place in the Assembly on Thursday evening, in connection with Mr. Snodgrass's motion ; but, much to the disappointment of many who had assembled in the galleries, the motion was withdrawn. Humour asserted that the Squatting members on the opposition side, and the Convention members on the other side, had refused to support him. The hon. member finding himseif almost deserted on his motion, decided upon withdrawing it. A scene of an animated and amusing description occurred during the discussion on the Survey vote. Mr. Miehie described the government land policy as homoeopathic and undecided, upon which Mr. O'Shanassy retorted that the lion, member was once a little undecided himself, and had once consulted him on the subject. Whereupon arose a very pretty little "scene." The Gold Mining on Private Property Bill was advanced a stage, and reported to the House. On the Chinese Bill the' Ministry were compelled, by an adverse division of 23 to 18, to amend their bill, by the withdrawal of that part giving the Governor power not only to appoint and regulate salaries, but to pay- them out of the consolidated revenue, without getting a special appropriation from the House; also.by the modification of the penal clauses. Mr. Nicholson's motion for singing birds was reported to the House. The Assembly, weary and ill-tempered, broke up at twenty-five minutes past one o'clock.

On Friday, in the Legislative Council, an unusual amount of activity was displayed. The idea that the session would probably close next week made honourable members hurry through their work. Many bills were read a third time and passed. Mr. Fawkner's motion, that the names of hon. members absent after six o'clock should be registered in the journals of the House, was negatived. The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour on Friday, in the Legislative Assembly, but notwithstanding the exertions of the Sergeant-at-Arms, aided by those of the, Chief Secretary and SolicitorGeneral, only sixteen members coiild be mustered, of whom only one, Mr. Mollisorij occupied a seat on the opposition side of the House. The Speaker, therefore, declared the House adjourned until the next sitting day.

The nomination of Mr. N. Blade and Mr. Lane, the candidates for the representation of the Western Province, took place at Belfast, on Wednesday last. The show of hands was declared,to be in favour of Mr. Black. A poll was demanded, which will be taken on the 19tli instant.

A numerous meeting of the carpenters and joiners of Melbourne took place oh the evening of Thursday, in Hockins' Assembly Rooms. Several resolutions were passed condemnatory of any attempt to reimpose the ten hours on the several trades. The last resolution, pledged the meeting to support no candidate for future legislative honours who would not undertake to enact; the eight hour system as a legal institution, and to throw open the lands of the colony to all bona fide settlers. On this last point the energy of the speakers find the approbation of-the audience appearedto.be concentrated; the proposition that the members of the present Assembly and the Ministry especially were unfit to represent the people in any future legislative body,' that, in fact| the people must select their own candidates,' being particularly applauded. The meeting.numbered some; five or six huudred persons. •...-..-■. -••;". A conflagration of a,v;ery serious character broke out jn Bond-s'treek.F.linder* l,ane t >on,Friday .evening. Owing, to, the very, .strong w^nd blowing.at the tinle great 'fears w,ere entertained for the stores contiguous. ; Eroni the upper story in Alexander's premises', winch -soon burst into a flame, the

• immense quantity of goods of a combustible nature j that composed the stock caused the fire to spread : rapidly, and it'was not until a large body of water j had been poured upon it that any sign of its diminishing was visible. At 8 p.m. the flrc was coni- , pletely extinguished, but not beforcrit bud destroyed > large quantity of merchandise, and completely damaged the building. Mr. Alexander is said to be insured to the extent of £9000 in various offices, ! and Mr. Strakosch, who occupied the cellar, in which wines and spirits were stored, to £2,500; but very little of the latter, if any, were destroyed. The criminal calendar this term is very heavy, : the cases set down for trial being about fifty-two in number, and comprising almost every shade and degree of crime, trom the guilty misappropriation of ; private property up to the sacrifice of human life. : Deer in Victoiua.—A correspondent of the 1 Argus' says:—At a time when the introduction of foreign animals into this country is absorbing public attention, and deservedly meeting with so much sympathy in the far bush, it may not be uninteresting to you to know that I have at the present time on French Island, Western Port, a buck and two does. They were imported from Manila, and the does have increased this year. They thrive beautifully on the island, and'do not, as is often supposed, break fences or destroy sheep and cattle. The' Sydney Morning Herald'has the following from Melbourne;.by electric telegraph, to Thursday, February 17:^A resolution was passed in the Assembly on the motion of Mr. Nicholson, that instructions be given to Government employees to take no further part in elections than recording their vote;, and in.any case, of disobedience they be dismissed. Mr. Everand's land resolutions were withdrawn. Mary Connell for murder, was acquitted. The jury wanted to find not proven. The murderers of Green, in Gipps Land have arrived for trial. JOCKKT CLUB RACES.—SECOND DAY. Welter Handicap .;.... The Moor Maiden Plate Lord Clyde Pony Race Kate Darling Handicap Hurdle Race. Modesty.