AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 47, 24 February 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Stdnbt, Feb. 10, Mr Buchanan's motion that the appointment of Mr Stephen as Lieut- Governor, he being a member of the Legislative Council, is inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution, was opposed by Mr Parkes and negatived by 35 to 4. His motion that the prerogative of mercy in future be exercised by the Governor with the Executive Council and not by the Governor alone, and censuring the Governor relative to the commutation of the sentence of Williams, Bennett, and Buchanan alone, was carried. It is understood that the vital statistics about to issue show the increase of population during the last year to be unprecedented, even during the early gold discoveries, being close on three quarters of a million. A Company is forming with a capital of £5000 for starting a milk condensing factory. In reply to Mr McElhone, Mr Hoskins stated in the Assembly that Mr Lumsdane, Inspector of Distilleries, was receiving full pay during his suspension although another officer at a salary of £550 was doing his work. Lumsdane's creditors are likely to accept a composition payable in instalments from his salary. They include some wine and spirit merchants. Constable Haye9 who wa3 injured by a mob of larrikins is in a critical condition. Victoria. A reform league meeting was held at Dunolly last uight when Berry and Grant were present. It was the most disorderly neeting that ever took place there. There were several fights and the police were called in, but were unable to restore order, and the meeting broke up in confusion. McPherson, of the Melbourne jute works, a protected industry, has called a meeting of his creditors. It is believed there will be a surplus of £14,000. The Reformer, a paper with an issue of 100,000, containing an adverse history of the Berry Government, is published for dissemination broadcast through the country. Sarkins, the publisher of the " Fire Brand," appeared in court to show cause why it should not be destroyed as an obscene publication. He denied that it was more objectionable than passages in Sbakspeare, Swinburne, Byron, or the Bible. The Bench ruled that it was disgusting and obscene, and ordered its destruction. It is understood that the performance of " Anapemone," a new burlesque on the Ministry will be permitted, and that action will only be taken if there is anything immoral or offensive in it. A constable was endeavoring to arrast a young man at Sandridge when the latter jumped into the water and swam to a vessel some distance off, and defied the police. Several constables went in a boat, and arrested him after a severe struggle. Queensland. Wells, the Conamnlla bushranger, has been sentenced to death for shooting Murphy with the intention of murder, without hope of mercy. The South Australian Register complains of the Government importing iron bridges from America, instead of calling for local tenders, and states that it is in violation of a resolution of the Assembly seven years ago.