AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6497, 23 December 1881, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Pub Pbbbb Association.] (Per s.B. Rotorua, viH the Bluff.) VICTORIA. Melbouhkb, Deo. 19. The Minister for Railways has introduced the Railway Bill in the Assembly, bat it is not intended to proceed with it this session. The Betting Preventative Bill has been introduced, but little progress bos been made with it. It is sought to make betting a misdemeanour. Owing to the presence of phylloxera, all the vines in the Geelong district are to be destroyed. The old English fair, at the Town Hall, Is an immense success. The visitors number over ten thousand daily, and hundreds are unable to gain admission. Professor .Hanson has commenced proceedings m the Police Court against Professor Ellington, for assault. The proposal to amalgamate the new Federal Bank with the Economic Bank has fallen through. The crops in various parts of the country are reported to be looking well, and promise fairly. HEW SOUTH WALES. Sir H. Parke* will transact important public business during his visit to America. The Governments of all the Australian Colonies, with the exception of Victoria, have authorised him to use his best endeavours to secure the free admission of Australian wools into the markets of the United Slates, and he thinks success will crown his efforts. He hopes to induce the American Government to unite with New Zealand and New South Wales in the subsidy paid for the-San Francisco service. A testimonial is being subscribed for a memorial over the grave of the late Michael Fitsputriok.

QUEENSLAND. General Fielding reports that his trip over the proposed transcontinental line hae been euoooeafuJ. The country traversed was found to answer previous descriptions pretty closely. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. At Beltane, a tent, containing a woman end four children, caught fire. One child escaped, but the others were burned to death.