AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 128, 30 May 1874, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, May 23., Parliament was opened by commission/ i-ojo the 19th, when the members wefe sv^orn. The Assembly re-elected Captain Macmahon as Speaker. On tbe following day the Governor delivered his speech. He referred to the Education Act, railway construction, watery supply works, and promised in response to an appeal to the country' to introduce a measure of reform, and other measures proposed, including amending the land bill to increase tbe maximum of area to 640 acres, and mining on private property bill, but postponing/ the question of the revision of taxatufp until the question of constitutional/reform was disposed of. The Council passed an address in reply, after a severe criticism of the Government, but in the Assembly Mr Grant moved an amendment on that portion of the speech postponing tbe legislation and revision of the tariff. A debate took place last night, which was adjourned till Tuesday. It is not likely to be carried, as •an inopportune defeat of the Government is only a question of time. The majority of the members sit on Government benches, but a number of those are known to be antagonistic to any constitutional scheme. Mr Davis has been re-elected Chairman oi Committees, Tbe St. Kilda election resulted in the return of Mr Dixon, a protectionist. The candidates Williams and Webb running against eaoh other injured the free trade cause. a considerable falling off in wheat, oats, potatoes, and hay. An accident occurred at the Duke and Timor mine, near Maryborough, the mine falling in, killing three men, and injuring two others. At a fire at Clunes three young children were burned to death;, the premises being wooden tbero was not time to get them out. Tenders were opened for the New . Zealand loan; only £28,000 was taken at Government minimum. / An accident occurred at the North Garden Gully mine, Sandhurst, by the t explosion of litho-fracture. One man/ Swas killed and two severely injured. / sThe Coursing Leger was won by/Mr PittVi imported dog Lavender Wager. ., J. L. Bright, journalist, _kWwn in New Zealand, died at Sandliur/t. . ■ Dixon, miller, Wangaratta, has failed. His liabilities are between £50,000- ahd £§P,OOO. It is likely Victoria end New South Wales will send a rifle team to England to compete .it Wimbledon. ■* j A sale of laibdby Robertson Brothers, at Colac, realised->£l 3,000. The trial of Gree_. *_br the murder of Reynolds (a connection of Green's), by explosion, is proceeding. It has already occupied three days. A divorce case, Bishop m. Bishop, wife against husband, for' nullity of marriage, on physical grounds, occupied « tbe court several days, and is not yet concluded. *' Two dismasted ships, the Loch Ard from Glasgow, and John Kerr from Liverpool have arrived. They have been about the coast for several, days. ! It is rumored that the Opposition decline to allow the Estimates to be passed until ways and means are stated* About 1000 members of the fire bri- ? gades take part in the demonstration on Monday. Sydney, May 22. The Mikado arrived from San Francisco on the 11th instant. The Home Government _>as presented a gold watch to Capt-TTfwefeon, of the Velocjdade (in the New Zealand trade) for rescuing the crew of the , Belle Isle off Newcastle. Haw th orne and Glover were execu ted at Goul borne. The latter confessed to four other murders^ -. \ One-^f the burglars recently arrested ..is a brother to Sullivan, of New Zealand notoriety. / Tbe Challenger is still in port. / The Home Government has ordered the release of the schooner Challenger, condemned under the Polynesian liabor Act. / Adelaide, May 22. The sixth Ministfr will be created a titled Minister for North Territory. A boat accident has occurred at< Troubridge Island^ Six lives were lost by the capsiating of a boat in a fvqusll.

The Treasurer's financial statement is very satisfactory. Tho .revenue is £7000 more than last year, and it is expected- to bring forward a credit balance of £84,000. Next; year large sums are to be expended on railways. Hobart Town, May 22. ; Earl Donoughmore has been married ta Miss Stephens, daughter of Colonel Stephens. It was a graiy__rtft-r.