AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4540, 8 October 1875, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Melbourne, October 2. The no-confidence debate has extended over thri.e weeks, and is still unfinished. Both sides claim a prospective victory, but at present it inclines slightly to tho Opposition. In the meantime, meetings in support of the Government arc being held, with more or less success, all over the country, and every effort is being made to turn tho tide of popular opinion in their favoi-. Sir James McCulloch is ready to respond to tho call of duty, and take office, when the time arrives. The 20 per cent, duties are to remain untouched, but a number of other harassing Customs duties are to be abolished. A property tax and retrenchment form the basis of

the new programme. Casey, late Minister of Lands, who, with Service, late Treasurer, are leagued against Sir James McCulloch, have covertly gone over to the enemy's camp ; and on Thursday night they sprang a mine by moving an amendment, the object evidently being to direct attention from the real and substantial proposition. The shot they fired, just at the close of a long and weary debate, and when every one was expecting a division, caused some little confusion, and had the effect of prolonging the debate, but it is doubtful whether in the end it will not damage the Ministry. Mrs. Goodenough goes home in the Northumberland. She has been conveyed round from Sydney in the Pearl, her late husband's ship. Hospital Sunday is fixed for October 17, and Hospital Saturday, as usual, the day previous. Tho City of Melbourne arrived at San Francisco on the 26th, after a twenty-nine days' passage. Edmund Ghinn, the bank clerk who stole the notes, was f«und guilty on his trial, and got a sentence of eighteen months. His father paid the deficiency. The Roman Catholics throughout the colony are making strenuous efforts to procure the amendment of the Education Act, so that their schools may be inspected and rated as State schools.

Nearly 23 inches of rain has fallen during the present year, being i» excess of any previous year.

A testimonial is being raised to Ristori, who has been charming large audiences, especially in Marie Antoinette. The inquiry into the loss of the Cambridgeshire has resulted in Captain Marshall's certificate being suspended for twelve months. Several cases of malignant scarlet fever, with deaths of two children, have occurred at Prahran. It is ascribed to bad drainage. The steamer St. Osyth, which left here on August 11, arrived safely at St. Vincent on September 29. She reached the Cape on the 12th.

Owing to complaints about harbor lights, a general inquiry is to be instituted. Commercial.—Wheat dull, ss. 9d. to ss. 9Jd. Great speculation in candles, owing to the rise in tallow at Home; sales up to Hid. Nevas' also advanced 2d. Owing to advices of rise, considerable sales yesterday. Currants in request up to 5Jd. Mauritius telegrams state that the May Flower had sailed for Dunedin and Lyttelton. Lochiel loading for Lyttelton, and the Yarrow for New Zealand ports. New crop coming in very slowly. Freights to Australia, 225. 6d. to 255. Sydnet, October 2. Shocks of earthquake were felt at several places on the 25th. The war steamer Eagle, from Home's group, confirms the news o£ the massacre of the James Rennie's crew, and the burning of the vessel. The natives spared the carpenter's life till he had mended all the boats, and then murdered him also.

Macleay's New Guinea expedition has become disorganised, and the Chevert is returning to Sydney. A large meeting of the Laborers' Union was held in reference to the action of the shipmasters and stevedores in unloading vessels. Advices from Cooktown are very favorable. Further numbers of Chinese have arrived from Hongkong, and a steady stream of immigrants is advised. Plenty of gold is coming in, and there is good news from the reefs. At an inquiry held at Brisbane in reference to the immigrant ship Star Queen some curious facts were disclosed, showing a very faulty system. Bishop Hale is expected to arrive at Brisbane about the middle of December. Adelaide, October 2. The Council have rejected the Stamp Bill by a majority of five, and passed the Education and Intercolonial Free Trade Bills without material alteration. Government propose to borx-ow three millions for railways. The three-feet-six gauge will be adopted, with one or two exceptions. SHIPPINC. Melbourne.—Arrived, 25th : Mary Bannatyne, from Hokitika; Eleanor, from Greymouth ; Gleaner, from Timaru. Sailed, 25th : Eliza Firth, for Hokitika. Ootober 2nd : Frances Henty, for Auckland and Wellington. Sydney.—Sailed, 26th : Forget-me-not, for Auckland. Arrived, 29th: Kelroyd, from Wanganui. October Ist : Oreana, from Canterbury. Newcastle. Arrived, 24th : Heversham, from Wellington. 26th : Planter Slave, of China, from Lyttelton. 28th : Memento, from Dunedin ; Australind, from Wellington. 29th : Cabberfadt and Floral Star, from Auckland. 30th : Sea Spray, from Dunedin ; Mera, from Timaru. October Ist : Frowning Beauty, from Wellington ; Knight of Snowdon and Woodlark, from Dunedin. Sailed, 24th : Fawn, for Lyttelton; Tasso, for Auckland; M. A. Annison, for Dyttclton. 29th : Duke of Edinburgh, for Dunedin ; Annie, for Napier; Spirit of the South, for Bluff Harbor. October 2nd : Hopeful for Lyttelton ; Heversham, for Wellington.

ADDITIONAL AUSTRALIAN. Melbourne, October 2. The political situation is becoming slightly monotonous. For three weeks a want of confidence motion has been hanging over the Berry Administration, and the fourth week will be fairly gone before any decision is reached. In the meantime the most contradictory reports and statements are promulgated as to the actual strength and state of parties. The Opposition having somewhat closed their ranks, profess to have a majority ; while the Ministry are equally certain. Had the division been taken last night it is believed that the Government would have been beaten ; but a diversion has been made by Mr. Casey, late Minister of Lands, sitting on the front Opposition bench, and leaguing with the Ministers. Casey's amendment affirms the principles of a land tax, and, as in the Government resolution, fixes the rate and leaves the titles to future discussion. This coming in between McGulloch's plainly worded no-confidence amendment, made lion, members pause and consent to a further adjournment, although, by common consent, it had been decided to take the division on Thursday night. Casey has all along been marked out as doubtful; he has been sitting on a rail, waiting for something to turn up, and it is known that his aspiration soars as high as the Chief Secretaryship. Service, too, is not united with his late colleagues, because he disagrees with Sir James McCulloch. There are reasons of a social nature which have their influence, and they too militate against Service's chances of being Premier of this colony. The state of parties just now is very unsatisfactory, and the House itself is politically demoralised. The country is calling loudly for a general election, and petitions have even been sent to the Acting-Governor ; and in reply to one of these from Ballarat the following answer was returned : —" I am directed by his Excellency to inform you that should circumstances render it necessary, the petition for a dissolution of Parliament will be carefully and attentively considered. But I am to observe that its presentation before those circumstances have arisen, and whilst the subject referred to in the petition is being debated, appears open to misapprehension, and calculated to interfere with free discussion in the Senate." The Hon. John Robertson has returned to Sydney, apparently greatly pleased with his reception. On the day of his departure he fired a parting salute at our protectionist tendencies. After stating that Victoria, although she had done a great deal for herself, had done nothing for Australia, he suggested that if she continued the experiments in political economy she had commenced, she might settle once and for all the important question whether protection or free trade is the better for these colonies. The other colonies could not afford to play such pranks, but Victoria was rich, and could afford it. In all sincerity, he wished that the protectionist policy might be continued for a few years to give it a fair trial. The Mayor's ball was attended by nearly two thousand persons. Madame Ristori was present, and, strangely enough—but our Mayor does strange things—the only two toasts proposed were the Queen and Madame Ristori. The next Mayor of Melbourne will be elected this day week. A. K. Smith is believed to be the coming man. Ho is not very

popular, but he has been long waiting his turn, and cannot now be passed over.

A new cricket association has been formed for the management of intercolonial matches. All the talent is now concentrated in thi3.

Eistori is about bringing her engagement to a close at the Opera House. She has drawn crowded houses, and taken over twelve hundred pounds in five nights. " Marie Antoinette" has proved a splendid success, and is undoubtedly her great performance. Jauanschek, who has been a failure in Sydney, opens at the Eoyal to-night. De Murska, who has been charming the Adelaide people, as she will everywhere she goes, announces a fresh series of concerts for next week.

Emilie Melville, Lyster's new prima donna, who has made a great success in Sydney, opens here on Wednesday.

The celebrated La Bose herd, belonging to William McCulloch, is to be offered for sale shortly. The celebrated imported bull Eapid died from injuries.

The flock-masters in Eiverina estimate this season's clip at 5,700,000 sheep. The disputed land cases, Winter and others v. the Queen, where the Privy Council decided against the Government, havebeen brought before Parliament. The Minister for Lands has stated that he will give Crown grants in those particular cases); but not in others similarly placed, but where appeals have not been made.

T. L. Andrews, the well-known actor, recently died at Home. Madame Jananschek was not fortunate in Sydney. She dismissed her agent, and he not having the wherewithal to return to Frisco, brought an action. It is stated that affairs are now settled.

Some peculiar things appeal to have been countenanced by the Queensland tion agents in England. People of all sorts, including the sweepings of the lowest London quarters, have been sent out to load up the vessels. Nineteen shipped under false names, and girls of tender ages were sent out a 3 adults. These matters have taken the Quensland Premier to England. Sir Chas. Cowper, once Sydney AgentGeneral, has become incapacitated from business, and Mr. Foster, the Treasurer, is going Home to supersede him. Things appear to be prospering well at Cooktown. There is plenty of gold, plenty of Chinese, and plenty of gambling. John Chinaman now turns to sugar growing. A boat accident in the north of Queensland led to the loss of six lives.