AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4550, 20 October 1875, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Melbodune, October 13.

After a long and dreary debate, extending over four weeks, the division on the want of confidence motion was taken at an early hour last Thursday morning. There was a full muster of members, and an anxious public filled the galleries. Casey’s amendment having reference to the Land Tax was first put, and negatived by 28 to 35. Government, seeing this, wanted to go no further ; but the Opposition demanded that McCulloch’s amendment condemning the finance proposal should likewise be put, and Government were forced to give way, although with a very bad grace. Sir James’s amendment was carried by 39 to 34, showing that the majority were against the Government. An adjournment then took place to the following Tuesday,' to give time to Ministers to consider the position —in reality to advise a dissolution —and in the meanwhile the country was stirred up by Ministerial agents, and meetings held in support of the Government and urging a dissolution. Yesterday a deputation from all parts of the country came to town with petitions which they presented to the Acting-Governor, and when the House met in the afternoon his reply to Ministers was read, refusing the dissolution. This was not altogether unexpected, inasmuch as his Excellency had previously refused the Kerferd Ministry, and, as he stated in his reply, the circumstances are similar, and no reason has been given to justify a change of opinion since then. Ministers having only just received the document, asked for a further adjournment until to-day. Rumor has it that they intend to retain their seats at all hazards, but it is more likely that they will find discretion the better part of valor, and resign. The Pearl has brought Mrs. Goodenough from Sydney. She leaves for England by the Durham.

Scarlet fever has appeared in a malignant form in some of the suburbs, and several deaths of children have occurred.

Telegrams have been received that the Bank of California has resumed payment. The steamer St. Osyth reached St. Vincent on September 29. Page pleaded guilty to the murder of May Bucholor at Mount Gambier, and was sentenced to death.

On the second day out of the Elngarooma from New Zealand a cabin passenger named Watkins died from natural causes.

The quarter’s revenue amounted to £994,818, being a decline of £10,027 on the quarter, and an increase of £51,651 on the year. A. K, Smith has been elected Mayor of Melbourne without opposition. A private London telegram states that Lord Dunmorris’ herd of shorthorns, consisting of forty head, were sold at an average of 670 guineas, and the Hon. Mr. Twiss's herd averaged 609 guineas. Mr. Morton, of Mount Derrimut, has determined to remain in England, and his celebrated shorthorn herd is to be sold at the end of February. The Exhibition continues to attract, and the daily average of visitors is well kept up. Captain Forster, of the steamer Dandenong, was lulled while superintending the hoisting of the screw during the docking of the steamer. The convict Hasard, for the Frankstown murders, was executed on the 14th. He died firmly, admitting the justice of the sentence. Ristori, having concluded her season, is now playing in Sydney.

The refusal to license the Town Hall for her dramatic performances caused some dissatisfaction.

lima De Marsha is with us again, and is as charming ns ever. A testimonial of 350 guineas was presented to Captain Saunders, one of the ablest intercolonial shipmasters. He is proceeding to England. Great preparations are making for Hospital Saturday and Sunday on the 16th and 17th of this month.

William Enderson, a jockey, has been remanded to New Zealand on a charge of robbery. The Chief Secretary has reconsidered his decision, and agreed to license the Town Hall for Ristori,

Commercial.—Business continues very dull. Flour sells freely at £l2 ; wheat, very scarce, at 3s. 9d. to 4s. 2d.; candles again advanced ; oats dull, milling 45., but sales difficult; timber a shade firmer.

Sydney, October 13. Parliament meets for the despatch of bus! ness on November 16.

Sir Charles Cowper, the Agent-General, is not likely to resume his duties. The quarter’s revenue shows a decrease of £125,000, a fourth of which is owing to the expiration of the Stamp Act. A public meeting have passed a resolution in favor of a royal manufacture of rolling stock for railways and ironwork for bridges. The Rev. Mr. Selwyn, Bishop of Melanesia, has arrived in the mission schooner with a number of converts.

The dispute between the lightermen, merchants, and stevedores still continues. News from Cooktown is very encouraging. Plenty of gold is coming in, and the reefs are looking well. Business is brisker.

Adelaide, October 13,

The Government have decided to prorogue on the 19th. There will be a short recess, and then the re-introduction of the Stamp Bill. In the meantime they will take an expression of public opinion. The Land Bill and Real Property Bill have been abandoned. The revenue returns are very satisfactory, the largest receipts ever taken. During the week interesting information has been received from Sydney by telegraph in reference to the exploration of Now Guinea. The missionary steamer Ellengowan and the Chevert, proceeded to different portions of the island. A splendid river was ascended by the missionary party on the south-west coast. The mouth of the river was a mile and a half wide, and they proceeded up a distance of ninety miles. They only saw one native in a canoe, and he went off. All the country is described as most magnificent. As they proceeded, the land was mostly low and swampy and covered with mangroves. They found plantations of palms, cocoa, nuts, and tobacco,, and found a reptile about 15ft. long, and inside it a large male kangaroo. They also killed a large bird measuring 16ft, from wing to wing. The Chevert party went to the Kuton River and Mohatta villages, and there made a short exploration into the interior, but having no permission from the chiefs to pass through their territory, they turned back to avoid a conflict. McLeay discourages any settlement of Europeans, on account of the climate, the hostility of the natives, and the want of labor. He thinks a proper exploration could only be undertaken by the Imperial Government. SHIPPING. Melbourne. —Arrived : October 9, Amateur, from Timaru ; Alma, from Greymouth ; Derwent, from Monganui. 12th, Adieu, from Grey River. Sailed : 2nd, Cyrus, for Napier; Resolute, for Dunedin. Bth, Britain’s Pride, for Wellington. Sydney. —Arrived : October 4, Waterwitch, from Wanganui. Sailed ; sth, Rose, for Lyttelton. Newcastle. —Arrived : October 2, Elliott, from Nelson. 3rd, Neptune, from Wellington ; Helen, from Auckland. 4th, Woodville, from Dunedin ; Witch of the Wave, from Auckland. 7th, Easby, from Dunedin. 9th, Adelphia, from Lyttelton. Sailed : 2nd, Caberfeldt, for Auckland. 7 th, Australind, for Wellington. Bth, Craig Ellaohie, for Oamaru. 9th, Woodville, for Dunedin. 11th, Hero, for Napier j Sea Spray, for Lyttelton.