AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 152, 29 June 1874, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, June 20

After a long delate, the Constitution Amendments Bill waa read the second time in the Assembly by 49 to 28, only one member being absent, which was unprecedented ia the colony. It is likely finally to pass the Assembly, but be rejected by the Council. Loug disuussions on recent appointments in tbe Land Department resulted in a large majority in favor of the Government. A Criminal Law Practice Statute to enable Bteps to be taken against anyone guilty of embezzlement in other British Possessions has been introduced.

Mr James Balfour was elected yesterday for the Southern Province in the Council by a large majority.

The estimated expenditure for the year is £2,343,994, including over £40 ,000 for education.

Instructions have bceu tent to England for placing the Government 4 per loan in the market;.

The Hon D. M'Lean with M*jor Ropata visited several of the institutions, in company with the Governor and Mayor. The second trial of Rupert Green for the Queen-street explosion case is now proceeding. A fire at Wamambool destroyed property valued at £7000, mostly insured. A tender for repairing the ship John Kerr lias been sc. epted, amounting to over £ 1 0,000 G. A. Kit, a clerk in the Public Works Departttent, has been committed for trial for stealing a cash box (rom the olßcs.

Efforts lo raise subscriptions for a oecond experiment of Harrison's meat jroceps failed

Frauds on the Customs by means of salted invoices h-ive been brought under the notice of the Assembly, and the Government have promised to have the names of the offenders published.

The handsome sum of £1 000 has been subscribed by the school children in variouß parts of the coloDy in aid of two disabled boys.

Tne weights for the Melbourne Cup are published. ThosG for the New Zea'ani hortes are :— Lur line. Bst lilbs; Cilumuy, Bst ; Papapa, 7st 511)3: Wainui, 6sf.

The mystery of the miesing young lady from Esst Melbourne is not yet cleared up The failure is announced of Pickersgill ani Co., wine and spirit merchants, liabilities, £5900. Several other tmall falures are reported.

A proclamation is issued to quarantine all vessels from Lyttelton in consequence of small pox.

Mr Curtayne, the Manager of the Union Bank, has been fined £10 for disobeying an order under the Matrimonial Clauses Act in neglecting to give up a sum of money in the bank. It was contended tlmt the money was not goods or chattels. Ihe case is appealed against. COMMERCIAL The import markets are dull. A telegram from Colombo reports coffee advancing, and also in the English market. A telegram from China reports that the Foo Choo market opened at three taels higher. Two steamers were loading for the colonies. An enquiry has sprung np hero for tea*, and large safes have been made. Oats are in good request; New Zealand milling 5s Bd, feeding 5s Hd; New Zealand malting barley, 6s 6d to 6s 9d. Owing to recent telegrams currant* have advanced ; b *14e»8 are refusing to quote. Susars are iu moderate request; kerosine a trifle firmer; wheat Arm at 6s §d to §s 7d: prime samples of liquids are dul'. A parcel of New Zealand flax sold at $19. New Zea» 1 <nd four per cents are in the market at £88.

Stdnev, June 20.

The proposed release of Gardiner and other bushrangers has given rise to a warm discussion in the Assembly. The motion of protest was only rejected by the casting vote of the Speaker. The House sat till half-past eight yesterday morning discussing it, and several scenes took plage but no result was achieved.

The Cyphrenes, with the Californian mail, reached San Francisco on the JLSth June.

The Government have agreed to grant £1000 to the Corporation to meet their financial difficulties.

Mrs Cohen, wife of a shooting saloon keeper in Pitt-street, has been accidentally killed by the discharge of a gun.

Parliament wi'l be prorogued next week.

Brisbane, June 20.

The Couccil negatived a Bill for the abolition of no;; -vested schools, and in the Inland Bill the Assembly carried an amendment against the Governmert allowing selection by a bona fide Government servant. Tbe Marriage with Deceased Wife's Sister Bill has passed.

Adelaide, June 20.

Two no confidence motions have been negatived. A bill has be n introduced for tho free interchange of Colonial products.

Several vessels are chartered to convey breadstuff's to South Africi.