OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4457, 2 July 1875, Page 3

OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

(FKOJI OCK OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Melbourne, Juno 23. The Land Bill, the provisions of which I detailed in my last letter, has successfully passed its second reading. An attempt was made by one of the members of the Assembly to ascertain the relative strength of f l lO Ministerial and Opposition benches by calling for a division. The result of that division, viz., 52 to 9, failed signally to show anything in regard to the state of parties, for, amongst the 5'2 = are found the names of not less than a dozen who have avowed their hostility to the measure, but they prefer manifesting their opposition in committee rather than risk a combat on the second reading. Whatever the merits of the Bill may be in the _ estimation of the public and free selectors, it is undeniable that it is not popular within the walls of Parliament. Mr. Higinbotham and the leadino" members of the Liberal party hate expressed themselves in strong terms fgamst some of the principal provisions of the Bill, and them sole reason for voting for the second reading is that the present time is most inopportune for a change of Ministry. Moreover, they entertain the idea that in committee they will be enabled so to amend tbe measure that the objectionable clauses may be either excised or rendered altogether inoperative. However good these intentions, we may rest assured that when the Bill reaches the Upper House they will meet with flustration, for the erreat -landholders of the colony will never consent to any scheme .which will result m their being invaded by a fresh army of free selectors, possessing power to take up more of their runs than agents under the present Land Act can do. On all hands it is admitted that the Government have made a mistake in not at once addressing themselves to the question of constitutional reform, since this was the issue on which the present. parliament was returned. The difficulty must be encountered, and the longer it is delayed the more serious it becomes. Better grapple at once with the great question of the day rather than play round it and attempt to gain triumphs by temporising and side-winds. Of course the Ministry have promised to act upon the question of -constitutional reform, but they postpone it with a view l no doubt to forcing the Legislative Council to act in a manner contrary to public opinion, or to swallow a number of objectionable Bills. This, however, is not fair to themselves, to Parliament, or the country, and the continual postponement of action in respect to Upper House reform will not only react upon themselves, but cause disunion and demoralisation amongst their followers and supporters. It is to be regretted that no improvement can be reported in commercial matters. The widespread depression which has been slowly increasing and accumulating upon tbe community has produced tbe anticipated fruit. Messrs. McEwan aud Co., wholesale grocers, who have always been considered as doing a sound and profitable business, startled town by suspending payment.. The liabilities have been ascertained to be nearly £IOO,OOO, and the assets under any circumstances are not expected to exceed £30,000 ; A failure of this kind cannot but produce disastrous consequences both in suburban and country districts, and numerous small failures are anticipated in connection with the commercial crash in this long established firm. One of the principal softgoods firms is freely mentioned as being in serious pecuniary difficulty, but as there is a chance of arrangements being made during the next few days for affording the firm a fresh lease of life, it would be unwise to give names. The general feeling in commercial circles is one of extreme dulnesa and insecurity, nor is it likely that this feeling will undergo any favorable change until mining matters be'come more prosperous and our product of gold returns to its original yield. Flour continues firm at £lO 10s., with an upward tendency 5 and wheat remains at about 55., or a shade over, for the best quality. The demand for oats is steady, and some large parcels have been cleared at an average of 3s. Bd. With these exceptions trade prices remain pretty much as they were reported in my last. In sugars, in spite of the assurance of Messrs. Joshua Brothers to the contrary, a steady rise is taking place, aud it is unquestionable that before long every breakfast table will have to regret the destruction of the Saudridge Sugar Works. ! A curious action at law has been commenced by tbe proprietors of the Aryu& against the owner of the Gipps Land Mercury, for making use .of English and Intercolonial telegrams, without contributing to the fund by which they are procured. The defence is ingenious, if not strictly moral, and is in effect an admission of the fact. It is contended that once a telegram is pmblished it becomes public property, in the same sense as any newspaper paragraph, and consequently that there is no impiropriety in a correspondent sending the same, to the newspapers to which he is attached. Judgment, has been reserved,And speculation is rife amongst the legal fraternity as to the result. , If adverse to the Aryus, the proprietors of that journal will- become considerable losera by their enterprise in” procuring the latest intelligence by wire from all parts of the world, and the country press will be relieved from any of the pecuniary responsibilities involved. ■The entries for the Melbourne Cup, the greatest sporting event of the year, are highly satisfactory, and include the names of the best horses in the Southern Hemisphere. The handicap, which was published a few days ago, attracted a large amount of attention, and the opinions formed of it were, on the whole, highly favorable .to Mr. Barnard. Lurline, though second on the list—second to Dagworth with 9st. 71b. —practically carries top weight. Whether this handicap will be viewed in New Zealand as a compliment or otherwise, I leave you to determine, but here both Lurlino and Calumny are held in the highest estimation, and will carry a fine pot of Victorian money. In the absence of racing our sporting men have given themselves up to coursing, a_ sport that is not only highly fashionable, but is daily increasing in popular favor. One of the principal events of the Victorian Coursing .Club commences to-day, and will probably extend over a week. “The Shaughraun” at the Theatre Royal still keeps possession of the boards, and attracts a succession of good houses. Though popular, we should hesitate to place “The Shaughraun” at the head of Mr. Dion Boucicault’s works. The piece appeals to the national sentiments of one-fourth of our population, and this to a largo extent accounts for the applause and bumper houses with which it has been received. The English Opera Company at the Opera

House, or rather Allen’s Company, have been producing a varied succession of operas from their repertoire, embracing “ Satauella,” “Martha,” “ Genevieve de Brabant,” “Maritana” and last, though not least, “Castle Gxim,” the composition of the talented conductor. Though" this work is presented to us, and must be accepted, as original, one cannot help fancying that he has heard the airs before. He is in doubt as to when and whore, but the familiarity is recognisable. The critiques, however, have been uniformly favorable, though tinged with a soitpfoa of faint praise. The principal attraction among the public amusements at present is the Rev. Mr. Clark’s Tower of London, a lectqre or an entertainment with which ho is said to have been eminently successful in bis New Zealand tour. Its presentation to a Melbourne audience was perfectly now, ami took the town by storm. The“ Town Halt,” which is capable of holding 4000 people, was crowded to overflowing on the three occasions on which Mr. Clark has held forth on this subject. Numbers were turned from the doors unable to obtain a seat, and on next Saturday Mr. Clark will deliver for tho fourth and the last time his attractive entertainment. It is said that ho nets by each entertainment not less than £250, so that if tho acquisition of wealth bo his object in life, wo may expect him soon to lay aside tho rdhi of a parson and assume that of a public lecturer, for which his talents sos well qualify him.