OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4482, 31 July 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

(FROM OUK OWN OOItnESI'ONDEN'T.) Melbourne, July 21. The dull monotony which prevailed in the political world since tho opening of the session, has been at last relieved by the delivery of the Budget speech. Tho proposals submitted to Parliament by tho Government in this speech aro of a startling, though not altogether unexpected, character. They indicate tho first signs of a return to a f reo-trado policy, the preliminary steps which are to revei'se the policy of tho last ten years. It is difficult to master the fiscal policy proposed at a single glance, because tho changes arc both deep and numerous ; but there is evidence in the scheme shadowed forth by tho Treasurer of an intention to place tho burden of taxation on those who are best able to boar it, and ou those who havo hithorlo for the most part escaped. Politicians of all shades of opinion, and journals of antagonistic theories, all approve moro or less the bold uncompromising schomo propounded by tho Treasurer. Tho praiso has not been loud or lavish, aud tho condemnation of tho fow has been mild and confined to details. Indeed, it is obvious that the Ministry, whatever their ulterior intentions may be, havo framed a fiscal policy which has tho merit of catching all parties. Tho proposed laud and house tax, and tho tax upon absentees, commend themselves strongly to the workingclasses and the extreme Radicals, whilst the removal of tho 20 per cent, ad ralwcm duties on a largo numbor of goods, aud tho reduction of tho duties on othors, appeals to tho freo traders. Under these circumstances, the Government will have nothing to fear from the action of the protectionists, who aro failing in numerical superiority and in influence in tho House.

The principal fiscal changes aro first tho imposition of a land and houso tax, which howover will only affect tho wealthier classes of the community. Holders of land less than 320 acres are exempt from taxation of any kind, but persons holding areas ranging from 320 to 2000 acres aro rated at Cd. per aero, and those lords of tho soil who possess holdings above 2000 acres will have to contribute 9d. per acre to tho general revenue. _ This portion of tho fiscal chango commends itself strongly to tho laboring and artisan classes, who havo long felt and expressed the opinion that property did not bear its fair share of contribution to tho Treasury. Tho proposed houso tax exempts houses valued at loss than £75 per annum, but houses valued at from £75 to £l5O per annum aro to bo taxed at tho rate of Cd. in tho £, and thoso valued abovo £l5O per annum at 9d. iu tho &.

Tho taxes on spirits, beer, and tobacco have been raised, on the ground that thoso articles aro luxuries. Spirits aro now taxed at 12 s. per gallon instead of 10s. as heretofore, tobacco at 3s. per lb., and beer browed in the colony at Id. per gallon. Insuranco companies have to contribute according to tho amount of their business, and banks according to their note circulation, at tho rate of 2 per cent, per annum. Bills of exchange and cheques are also subjected to taxation to a small extent. In view of tlieso now impositions, tho 20 per cent, duties on certain goods havo been abolished, and on othors they havo been reduced to 15 per cent. It cannot bo expected that such radical changes as aro proposed by the Treasurer will bo allowed to pass unchallenged. The protectionists are already astir, holding meetings and agitating ; tho free-trade party demand further concessions; and tho laboring classes a free breakfast table, embracing the abolition of all duties on tea, coffee, rice, &c. Sir James McCulloch opened tho attack upon tho Budget last night, and pointed out that unless tho Ministry had sold laud far in excess of tho Treasurer's estimate thoymust havo mot tho Houso with "a largo balance ou tho wrong side of tho ledger. Mr. Gillies, Minister of Railways,.replied that when Sir James McCulloch was in office he, year after year, caused moro land to bo sold than tho amount estimated by his Treasurer, and that iu one year tho amount of proceeds from land sales oxcecded tho Treasurer's estimate by £113,000. It is almost certain that tho Ministry will successfully carry out their Budget proposals, but a dreary debato on tho subject is inevitable, and though two or three members havo announced their intention of withdrawing their support from tho Government, tho Ministry will not bo seriously weakened by tho secession. .In my last letter I referred to what appeared to bo a most extraordinary case of abduction—-or rather of kidnapping, by a priest, Father Daltou. Tho matter was soverly commented upon by the Press, and tho public mind was much excited upon the subject. At this stago Father Daltou wrote a letter, which appeared simultaneously in all tho daily journals, in which ho undortook to bring tho kidnapped children before tho magistrates at tho City Polico Court as neglected children, when an investigation could tako plaoo, and tho Bench decido as to which of tho contending parties was entitled to tho legal custodianship of tho orphans. On Monday, 19th inst., at tho appointed time, tho children woro brought into court, an immense crowd filling tho building ami thronging tho precincts

and approaches. Father Dalton and Father Mulhall, who claim to liavo the guardianship of tho children, wore represented by counsel, as was also Mrs. Smeaton, who claims them on the ground that their mother, on her deathbed, requested her to take charge of them. After much argument and recrimination, the Bench decided that it had no jurisdiction m the mattci - , and suggested that a Government board of inquiry should be appointed to investigate tho title of contending parties to the custody of tho little waifs and strays. This suggestion, which however appears a most reasonable one, has been ridiculed by tho Press, and when the matter was brought under tho notico of Parliament, Mr. Kerferd stated that it was not the intention of the Government to interfere in tho matter, and that tho Supremo Court was tho proper tribunal to settle tho question. The public mind, however, continues to bo greatly exorcised ou the question, although there is an appearance of a change of opinion respecting Father Dalton's conduct since it was publicly stated in court that Mrs. Smoatou was not fit to have charge of the children, that she had not been married to Smeaton, that she was living in adultery with another man, and had a tainted reputation. Further action, however, must necessarily be taken in the matter, but what form it will assume it is impossible at present to say. In sporting matters there "has been a considerable amount of animation during tho last week or two, the most prominent event being tho Geelong Steeplechase meeting, which took place on July 17. The interest that was taken in this meeting was almost as deep as that which is displayed at our Cup meeting, and the amount of money invested on the several events was far beyond what is usually at stake on similar meetings. Tho bookmakers suffered most severely on every event, only two of the fraternity coming off winners. The backers of horses had such an innings as they have not experienced for years, and such as they are hardly likely to get again for a long time to come. In the Hurdlerace Larrikin waa made a hot favorite and taken in almost every double with the Steeplechase; and the ring continued to pepper this favorite under the belief that that they could defeat him with Welshman, a staunch good fencer which tho public would not back. The result is soon told. A splendid field faced tho starter and a magnificent race ensued, which was won by Welshman by several lengths, with Larrikin second. On coming to scale, however, it was found that Welshman's weight was nearly two pounds short, and the stewards thereupon declared him distanced, and gave the race to Larrikin. Tho faces of the bookmakers elongated very considerably at this contretemps, and for a time rumors of foul play prevailed, but it has since been proved beyond all doubt that there is not the slightest ground for such a suspicion, and that tho horse weighed out short of weight through a mistake of his owner, who fancied that AVelshmau was to carry the same weight as his other horse— Lonsdale—which was scratched, and accordingly ho put up Lonsdale's jockey to ride Welshman. The ring lost several thousands by the event, and stood also to lose a great deal more on the double with tho Steeplechase, in which race tho best jumping horses in tho colony were entered. It was generally believed that tho winner would be found among Prodigious, Postboy, and Dawn of Day, but a number of knowing ones put a heap of money on Murgah, a comparative outsider, his owner backing him at the post for j£siooo,m addition to £I7OO, which he had on tho doublo Larrikin and Murgah. Others followed the lead, and heavy wagers of £SOO and £7OO were freely booked. In this remarkable race, where the i-ing had a right to believe that Murgah could not beat such wellknown and experienced veterans as Prodigious, Vulcan, and others, every horse in the race excepting Murgah fell or baulked seriously. When the raco seemed to bo over, and Murgah lay far away in tho rear, tho two leading horses cannoned in the air over a jump, and both were put hors do combat, Murgah galloping quietly through prostrate forms, and lauding a winner by thirteen lengths in advauce of everthing, amidst tremendous cheering. Tho remaining races were uniformly won by the popular favorites, and though tho settling on Monday night was prompt and easy, still it is known that somo of tho prominent members of the bookmaking confraternity are somewhat crippled by the liberties they took with tho favorites in over-laying their books.

Coursing Lag now become so national n pastime that there is hardly a place whero hares can be reared that does not possess its coursing club. Kvery one is beginning to think it " chick" to talk dog and criticise the points o£ a greyhound. Ladies attend the meetings aud profess themselves more pleased with coursing than with racing, where such long pauses in the fun necessarily occur. The prosperity of coursing is in some measure attributable no doubt to the oxccllont patronage it has received from the wealth and iutelligenco of the community, from Mr. W. J. Clarke downwards. As illustrating the interest felt in the possession of good dogs, reference may be made to a sale of greyhounds which took place at Kirk's Bazaar a few days since, at which Mr. Plant disposed of his kennel. Abimelech, winner of tho West Burke Cup, brought 135 guineas under the hammer; Comet, 44 guineas; Fair Ellen, 23 guineas ; a puppy by Spot, 33 guineas, and others of less note, from 5 to 10 guineas. Though coursing has absorbed so much attention from our sportsmen, the hunting field still attracts its votaries, and as wo have now plenty of doer, thoy constitute tho usual quarry. During tho week Mr. Chirnside invited hunters to assemble near the Geolongroad to follow his pack of harriers after a fine strong door. The deer gavo the company a severe and merry chaso, but when the hounds ran into him, ho laid down and died of simple exhaustion in presence of the few who contrived to bo in at tho death. It is to be feared that this unfortunate occurrence will afford tho Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals a peg to hang fresh expostulations on.

In dramatic matters thoro are a few novelties to notice " Tho Shaugraun," which had a most successful run at the Theatre Koyal for six weeks, was finally withdrawn to give place to " Sam," a " comedy drama," as the bills have it, which was produced for tho first time in Australia on the 10th inst. The piece, though fairly put on tho stage, did not find favor with the regular playgoers, and the critics wero mildly severe on it. Mr. Wheatleigh, who achieved ii pronounced success as tho "Shaugraun," failed to impersonate tho character of Lord Dundreary's brother Sam with anything like proportion to it. Ono of tho critics lets Wheatleigh off lightly on the score that you cannot " build castles of feathers," and that tho piece itself is trashy, though the bills inform us that " it has been performed everywhere throughout America with unvarying success. Tho piece has been withdrawn, and has been succeeded by " Tho Two Orphans," a highly sensational drama of the French school, which will prove a draw. The scenic artist has been remarkably diligent and successful in mounting tho piece, and some of the scones (more especially tho gardem of the Chateau de Proslos, aud tho St. Snlpico Sijutvic) rullect the highest credit on his talent. Mr. Wheatleigh, as Jacques Prochard, proved himself to Mo tho actor we have estimated him from hii< " Shaugraun " appearances.

The United States Minstrels havo taken possesion of tliu rrinoo of Wales Opera House, and aro drawing good houses. Tho Eoyal Mivriouottoa Company aro playing at St, George's Hall, whoro hundreds aro nightly turned from tho door for waut of room.

Professor Tolmaquo has taken possession of tho old Princess Theatre, which had been renovated for tho occasion. In addition to his feats of legerdemain and magical illusions, ho is giving a comploto expose" of tho tricks of tho spiritists, of which Foster was tho chief exponent. His entertainment is growing daily in popularity. In my last letter I referred to the scandal in regard to Judgo Dunno, in which this gentleman's accusers boldly averred that ho took his scat on the bench in a stato of gross mtoxicatiou, which utterly incapacitated him from understanding or adjudicating upon tho business before hiua. Since this Jiasw the Judge

has apparently rushed ou his ruin, and failed to put in an appearance at the Insolvent Court at Sandhurst, or to send any reasons for his absence. On this occurrence becoming known, the Government at once suspended him from office.

I am very sorry to have to report that trade shows no sign of recovery, and that matters commercial are more depressed than ever. Failures and compositions with creditors are the order of the day ; but there is a rumor, which I feel sare rests upon a reliable foundation, though names cannot yet be given, that one of our supposed wealthiest commercial firms is in the last straits, and that its indebtedness to one bank alone is not less than £120,000, wholly unsecured. It is possible that the bank in question may see the propriety, or necessity, of tiding this firm over its present difficulties, with a view to averting certain loss.