AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 269, 20 November 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[Per Ringarooma nt Bluft.]

Melbourne, Nov. 13. Th 6 proposed mission to England hasbeen the principal topic of the past week, it hay-; ing been much talked about in consequence of the Chief Secretary haviug placed the sum of £5000 on the supplementary estimates for the expenses of the Commissioners. >_he names of the three gentlemen are not yet officially mentioned but they are supposed to be Mr Berry, Mr Pearson, and Sir G. Duffy (the Speaker), but in the Assembly Sir G. Duffy contradicted tbe statement, saying that he would Hot accept any office so long as he was Speaker. A great deal of interest is taken in the question throughout the Country. Many members in addressing their constituents took the ground that no embassy should proceed to England until an appeal had been made to the people. The Reform League, however, declared in favor of the mission; one of their arguments b.ing that while the squatting aud monetary interests aro represented in London, the Liberal party of the colony is not. Ministers continue to push on the vote, and so far have expressed their determination to go to Downing-street, not with the Reform Bill which passed the Assembly, by a large majority, but to ask the Secretary of State to step in and grant Buch aid as will prevent deadlocks and secure finality in the Legislature. A letter from Sir Charles McMahon was read in the House showing that he was offered the' Agent Generalship by Mr Francis the then Premier, but ho declared he oould not accept the position with honor while acting as Speaker, and he declined to mako the chair a stepping stone to office. At the Mayor's inaugural dinner on Saturday night the Governor made his farewell speech, saying that he would not leave an enemy behind him. The Government want to bring the session to a close iv the course of*, a few days, and probably the prorogation will take place next week. The bushrangers are still at, large; although numerous .police parties'have been out, not a trace of the gang has been seen. Some ludicrous incidents have occurred in connection with this affair. The police parties, all dressed as bushmen, fired into each other, and wherever seen tbey have been reported as Kelly's gang. The men are all disguised as much as possible, and all are armed with rifles and mounted. The race meeting just closed has been the most successful ever held jn Melbourne as regards attendance and financial results. Close upon 43,000 passengers were conveyed by rail to the course on the Cup day. The settling has been against the bookmakers, as Calamia was heavily backed, when the weights were first issued, and-, so many favorites won during the meeting. The double of Lord Harry and Lone Hand came off and was very disastrous. It is said that not less than £100,000 will change hands over this meeting. .