AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 178, 27 August 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[Per Ringarooma ] Melbourne, Aug. 21. The Treasurer, in delivering his Financial Statement on Friday last, told the House that increased taxation was looming in the | distance, as the present sources of revenue were found insufficient. The revenue did not | come up to the estimate by £187,465, the | falling off being mainly in the lire stock tax j and land tax. The expenditure proposed for next year is £5,127,042, and a surplus of [ £70,886 is reckoned on. A large portion of , the new loan will be required for public works, over £200,000 for law courts; £215,000 [ for Parliament buildings; £340,000 for new i schools-, £360,000 for the Yan Yean waterworks, and then there is the payment for the Hobson Bay Railway. | The Reform Bill debate will probably last another week, but the subject is pretty well worn threadbare. Mr Burnes, of New South Wales, has been taking great interest in the cablejduplication question. All the Governments interested have given way on all reductions on the Indian and Dutch lines, but stand out firmly against the Eastern Extension Company to prevent a press combination. The rate would now come to about 4s per word for press messages, being a little less than onethird of the present rate, instead of Is 4d as

originally proposed. Regarding the postal question it was agreed that Mr Berry should send a telegram direct to the Secretary of State iu the name of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand requesting that the present postal arrangement embodied in the treaty of 1873, which terminates on the Ist January, 1879, may be continued until the Ist Feb., 1 880, when the P. and 0. contract terminates, both as regards India and Australia. This, it was pointed out, would afford time for a final settlement of the relations between England and the colonies in postal matters. Mr W. G. Clarke has been returned unopposed as a member ct the Legislative Council, and his presence in the Upper Chamber will at any rate add to the collective wealth possessed by the members of that body. Dr. Ilearn, of the University, is being opposed by Mr Robert Byrne, an auctioneer, and a former Treasurer for a \cry short time. Dr. Ilearn is opposed to the Government Reform Bill and the Plebiseitum, and advocates Hare's system of representation. ' The Captain who was tried for scuttling the barque Leola at Rotumah has been accquitted. On Sunday last an elderly man named Saxby attempted to murder his wife in his own house in West Melbourne by cutting her throat, and then attempted suicide by cutting his own. Both are now in the hospital and the husband's case is precarions. Jealousy is said to be the cause. She was a young woman and they had lately been living apart. The amount subscribed to the Cathedral fund amounts to £13,000, exclusive of the £10,000 promised by Mr W. J. Clarke. Edward lienty who died last week was the pioneer settler of the Colony having come to Portland from Tasmania in 1834. Mr William Akhurst.a well-known journalist and burlesque writer, died recently on the voyage from London to Sydney. Business continues dull. There was a long discussion in the Assembly last night on the unauthorised expenditure of £240,000 on the Law Courts. A Board of Enquiry is to be appointed.