AUSTRALIAN INTELLIGENCE. (Per Ringarooma.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1882, 8 May 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN INTELLIGENCE. (Per Ringarooma.)

Melbsurnr, May 1. Political matters continuo quiot. Tim Chief Secretary and Ministers have beon attending a. Liberal tea-meeting in the Wostorn District, when it was said that tho Itoform Bill will be the only measuro introduced next session ; but all are very reticent ns to the details of the measure. Tho Governor received despatches by tho mail. The precise contents are not inado public, but according to Ministerial sourcos the Governor's conduct has been approved of. At tha Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the rotiring President delivered the usual addross j and referring to tho state of trado, said tho result which had been obtained by the mercantile community had not shown a profit commensurate with the amount of capital and onergy engaged. Ho trusted some combined and determined efforts would bo made to prevent the possibility of any recurrence of the political experiences of tho last four months. Sir James M'Culloch will resign his scat in tho Assembly in the course of a day or two, when Mr Francis will stand for Warrnambool. At the annual commemoration of the University on Saturday, the undergraduates were so turbulent as to call ■ forth a rebuke from the Chancellor. A severe gale with heavy rain has been experienced. On Sunday, a boat containing two men capsiznd in the bay ; the men were drowned. A seaman was also washed from the deck of the barque Florinde coming up the bay. The discovery of deep bcd 3 in two of the Stawell mines has caused some excitement in mining circles, The value of the discovery is not yet apparent, the drive being not sufficiently opened out to ascertain whether the gold is bettering. Dakcy Bros, of Ballarat, wire nnd machinery merchants, have (ailed. Liabilities £33,000. Assets, £25,000. The latter consists of stocks. E. B. Morcombe, draper, in Collingwood, has failed for £19,000. Roberts and Shorter commenced their billiard matches last ni^ht, the latter receiving 500 in 1000. Roberts is playing in great form. Sydney. A disgraceful row occurred in the Assembly on Friday night, when Mr M*'Elhono walked across the floor of tho Houso with clenched fist, and threatened to punch tho head of several members. Tho word "liar" was freely bandied about. Tho galleries wero cleared, and M'Elhono, aftor being adjudged guilty of contempt, apologised, and walked out. The Exhibition is not a micccs. Now Zealaad has taken mo*t of the pn*2es. Thero are no exhibits from Victoria. The opening of tlio Museum ami Library on Sundays is very popular. Both places are well attended. The chief officer of tho ship Crown has received the command of the Chimbora'<o. The " Adelaide Register" has exposed one of the men elected members of the Assembly, and shown 'that he has been comicted both in Melbourne and Sydney of forging and uttering.