AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 149, 22 May 1884, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(Per s.s. Rotoruahana at Auckland.) (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.") Sydney, May 15. The unemployed continue to engross public attention. A large number of men are now housed nightly, and fed at the Government expense, but it. is believed that a \ery considerable proportion of those do not want work, and will not accept it when provided. No doubt there is a good deal of genuine distress, but the want of employment is not so great as alleged. The coming acqiutic contest on the Nepeau is causing considerable excitement. A large stand is being erected, and the banks of the river are being enclosed for a considerable distance. Both men are very n't, and doing good hard work m and out of boats.' Several bets have been made on La cock at short odds. Bishop Barry presided at Mr Booth's gospel temperance meeting on Monday. Over 6000 persons were present. The Bishop said ho was not a total abstainer, and did not intend to bi«, at the same tirno, he gave his hearty support to the movement. Mr Giblin, General manager of the City Bank, died this morning. He was seized with apoplexy two days ago,aud never rallied. The weather, which has been warm and sultry, culminated on Tuesday night with a sharp thunderstorm, since which it lias been cold and fine. Rain has reached the western districts of the colony, and the drought may be said to have broken up. Meat is very dear and rising m price, owing to the short supply. The Governor has forwarded to the Secretary of state a despatch upon the Recidivistes question setting forth m a clear and forcible manner the wrong 1 which would be inflicted on these colonies if the French Government insisted on carrying out their proposal. Brisbane 1 , May 15. Parliament will meet on the Bth or 15ih of July. A public meeting is to be called to protest against the deportation of French criminals to the Pacific Islands. Birchal, Robinson, and Co., an influential firm of shipowners at Manilla, intend opening up a regular trade to the colonies by a three-monthly steam service. Melbourne, May 15. The weather is very cold and wet. The first snow of the season fell m the Alpine district, where the' weather is moie severe than has ever been experienced before. The new lighthouses at Cape Nelson and Clifly Island are ready for use. A distinct shock of earthquake was felt at Gippsland recently. Adelaide, May 15. Heavy floods have taken place m ' the north, In sume places people were taken from the roofs of houses,