AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 250, 22 October 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[per ringarooma.] Melbourne, Oct. 17. The events of the week have been without special iuterest. The defence vote of £100,000 has been passed, also a preliminary vote of £7000 for an international exhibition to be held iv Melbourne in 1879. Great efforts are to be made to secure the cooperation and assistance of the European and Eastern countries, as well as of all the colonies. The Attorney-General, Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, Bart., M.P., and Mr A. Fiakenhave been appointed Land Tax Commissioners. The Attorney-General will not relinquish his present office. i u Th , ce T Election3 Comm ittee have unseated the Hon. Duncan Gillies as member for Rodney The decision, while distinctly stating that the petition failed to prove Mr Gillies guilty of bribery or undue influence either by himself or his agents, found that undue influence was used by other persons on his behalf, and therefore declared the election wholly void. This is regarded as a most extraordinary finding, and much regret is expressed, as Mr Gillies had only recently been chosen as the leader of the Opposition. The Indian Famine Fund has reached to above £9000, and subscriptions are still coming in. The education vote, now before the Assembly, is likely to lead to a long debate. King and Chester are first favorites for the Derby. Amendment, Tom Kirk, Savanaka, and Fresh Steed all have friends for the Cup. It is generally believed that about 15 horses are well in for the Cup, and therefore that it will be a very open race. Business is still dull, there being but slight improvement. Creswick is still drawing well at the Academy of Music. The daily attendance at the State schools haa risen to 124,000. A further sum of £200,000 is required for the erection of school buildings, making £1,100,000 on buildings from first to last.