AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIIL, Issue 109, 8 May 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[Pbk Ringarooiu.J Mblbouknk, May 1. Political matters continue quiet. The Chief Secretary and some Miaiiterg have been been attending a Liberal tea meeting in the western district, when it was said that the Reform Bill will be the only measure introduced next session, but alt were very reticent as to the detail* of the measure. The Governor received dejpatchei by the mail, the precise contents of which are not made public, but according to ministerial accounts the Governor's conduct has been approved. At the Chamber of Commerce y«sterdayj the retiring President, delivered the usual address, and when referring to the state of trade said the result obtained by the mercantile community had not shown a profit commensurate with the amount of capital and energy engaged. He trusted some combined and determined efforts would be made to prevent the possibility of any recurrence of the political experiences of the last four month * < Sir Jas. M'Culloch will resign his seat in the Assembly in the course of a day or two, when Mr Francis will «tand for Warnanibool. At the annual commemoration of the University on Saturday the undergraduates' were so turbulent as to call forth a rebuke from the Chancellor. Severe gales with heavy rain were experienced on Sunday, when a boat containing two men was capsized in the Bay. The men were drowned. A seaman was also washed from the deck of the barque Floriude when coming up the Bay.

The discovery of deep leads in two of the Stawell mines has caused some excitement in mining circles. The value of the discovery is not yet apparent, being not sufficiently opened up to ascertain whether the gold is betterihg. , The Dakey Brothers) of Baliarat, wire and faiaehinery merchants, have failed, liabilities £22,000, assets £25,000. The latter consists of stock. E. B. Morcombe, a draper in Collingwood, has failed for £19,000. StDNEir, May 1 . Adisgraceful row obcurred in the Assembly oh Friday night, when Mr McEihone walked across the floor of the House with his clenched fist and threatened to punch the heads of several members. The word " liar" wasfreely bandied about. The galleries were cleared, and Mr McEihone, after being adjudged guilty of contempt, apologised aud was let off. The Exhibition is not a success. New Zealand has taken most of the prizes. There are no exhibits from Victoria. The opening of the museum and library on Sundays is very popular, and both places are well attended. The chief officer of the Crown has received command of the Chimborazo. Adelaide, May I Tile Register has exposed one" of the ne.vly elected members of the Assembly, and has shown that he had been convicted both in Melbourne and Sydney of forging and uttering.