AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 94, 20 April 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[Per Te Anau at tho Bluff ] Melbourne, April IS, Long meetings of the Cabinet were held during the week considering matters of police administration. It is understood that the Reform Bill was fully discussed, and it was resolved to insert a notice in the Gate'te that any returning officers, registrar, or deputy registrar belonging to political associations must discontinue their membership of the same, otherwise they will be liable to immediate dismissal from Government appointments. A notice to this effect has since appeared. Ifc is expected that the appointment of Agent General for Victoria will be shortly filled. Messrs Murray, Smith, Casey, and Shannessy are spoken of, but nothing definite ia decided. Mr Gounson Cooper is a candidate for the Chairmanship of Committees in the Assembly. It was announced at a meeting of the Exhibition Commissioners that the United States applied for 35,000 additional feet, ,making 70,000 feet in all ; Franca, 10,000 ; British implement makers, 20,000. The Financial Statement shows the total estimated cost of the Exhibition as £220,000, snd tbe receipts are estimated at £70,000, leaving the Government to provide a total of £250,000, whereof £150,000 is already expected, ani the balance of £100,000 is now required. The Government consequently decided to place that amount on the estimates next year. At a meeting of the Brunswick Establishing Branch Reform Protection League on the 6tn,.Mess|s, ; Berjry aqd Longmor% spoke, when the former attributed their iati^ defeatto a want of organisation and plural voting, and urged the necessity of reforms in both matters. Ho said he believed he had not lost the confidence of the people. The Harbor Commissioners have decided to employ another hundred men at Fisherman's Bend, it being intended to employ altogether 250. A £50,000 loan has been arranged with the Banks for the present purposes, pending the necessary authority. The Banks afforded every facility. The Victorian Racing Club meeting considered the advisability of abolishing the New Year's Day meeting, when it was unanimously agreed to retain it. It was also resolred after a discussisn, to apply to Parliament for an act to legalise the totalisator on the Club's racecourse. At the Intercolonial boat race on the Lower Yarra on Saturday, considerable publio interest was manifested. The Victorians led throughout, and won with great ease, the Sydney crew showing considerable signs of fatigue. Sydsbt. Sir Alfred Stephens Bill limiting the power of council in Taxation aud Money Bills was lengthily debated, and the eighth attempt to shelve tho measure was defeated. The debate was finally adjourned. Mr Chapman, of Daintree and Chapman, has been appointed prothonotary vice Slattery. It is stated that Slattery has taken eminent legal opinions, which unanimously agree that he was wrongfully dismissed. The Rotorua narrowly escaped a collision with the ship Blackadder in Sydney harbor. Tho Rotorua was compelled to cut the warys and she dtmsgsd the tug's bridge. Sampson, th« principal witness in the ease Shepherd v. Dibbs, has boen committed lor trial for perjury. The A. A. coal pit resumed work on the 9th, au amicable arrangement being made between manager aud men. At a conference of the Association ministers and miners the latter agreed to re-commence work at 3s 9d per ton for a fortnight, the price of coal beiug 10s per ton. South Australia. The Emerald Jockey Club accepted the offer of Saville, who withdrew his action on their removing hfs disqualification aud paying legal expenses. The liejisler urges proceeding with a transcontinental railway,' and proposes to defray the cost out of a uaw loan. West Australia. Sir Harry Ord left for Europe. The press generally eulogise his administration. The new Governor, Sir W. Robinson, arrived by the Assam .