AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 51, 28 February 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(Per Alhambra.) There bas been some little stir in the political arena owing to Mr Berry's charge of corruption against the Speaker and Chairman of Committees during the Stonewall period. Sir Charles McMahon has consulted Messrs Higginbotham and Francis, ,and thereupon Mr Berry forwarded what was termed an apology to Sir Charles Best, stating that what he meant to convey by corruption was that uudue influence was threatened aud used by Ministers, who have written to the Speaker asking for au explanation as to how they influenced him. So the matter at present rests. The Chairman of Committees, it is said, decliues to accept the doubtful apology. A very severe thunderstorm was experienced last week, when a young man was filled, ia Elizabeth-street by lightning. Three other deaths from tbe same cause in the county, and seyej:q\ narrow escapes are recorded. The rain fall as yet is scarcely sufficient to allay all apprehension of draught, while in New South Wales matters are very serious, especially' in tbe back country where sheep and cattle are dying by thousands, and some stations have to be abandoned for want of water. Samuel Rainslew, who was burned yesterday is reported to bave left a large fortune. JJe began life as a stonemason in the early da^-s of the colony.

Mr William Gregory is still a guest of Governor Bowen. Since his stay in fhe colony he has visited nearly all the public institutions, and every place of interest. Captain M'Meckan, of the firm of M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co., was a passenger to England to-day by the mail steamer. The Assam, with the Suez mail, is expected to reach Glenelg on the lst March. A telegram received to-day states that Sir William Jervis, the present Governor of the Straits Settlement, is coming out to report on the defences of the colony. Wheat has been sold to-day up to 6s 8d; Sugars are advancing ; Hennessy's case brandy commands rather higher rates.

[Per schooner St. Kilda.'J Melbourne, Feb. 16. Commercial news is unimportant. The South Australian loan of half a million has been floated in London at £97 9s 6d. A man, named Norman, and hia son have been killed by lightning at Wedderburn. The death is announced of tlie only son of Frank Henty. A strip of country at Hamilton fifty miles by twenty-five has been destroyed by tire. A party of Russian Mining Engineers are inspecting the Victoria goldfields, but are very reticent as to what they are about. The Stevensons have abandoned their suit against the Government on account of the impossibility of getting at the Customs authorities. The Atgus says the affair is very unsatisfactory.