ADDITIONAL AUSTRALIAN.

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

ADDITIONAL AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, October 13. There are probably more frequent changes of Ministry in Victoria than in any other part of the world, and we are now on the eve of another change, as after a hard-and-fast struggle to keep hold of the Treasury benches, with place and pay, the Berry Government hove at last had to give way, and to-day will see their resignations placed in the Governor’s hands. The no-confidence debate dragged wearily through four long weeks, and the patience of the House and the public was literally exhausted. No member could give a silent vote, and for the last two or three nights the nobodies occupied all the hours. At length, on last Wednesday night, all the forces were mustered for the final struggle, the sick men on both sides were brought up, and everything was done that could be done. There were cnly three absentees from a House of seventy-eight members, and just before the division both sides claimed a victory. Casey’s amendment was first put, and the Government found themselves in a minority of three. Berry seeing this, was not at all desirous that Sir Jas. McCulloch’s amendment, disapproving of the financial proposals of the Government, should be put. It was quite enough that the majority had voted against the tax. But the Opposition could not quite understand such a ruse, and a scene of some excitement ensued, which spread to the strangers’ galleries, where some indiscreet strangers expressed an opinion rather too loudly. Berry roared loudly, and asserted that if he sat there till morning there should he no other division taken; but the lion soon became as the lamb when he saw that the Opposition were firm, and the division then showed a majority of 5 against the Government. The House then adjourned for nearly a week, and a dissolution became everywhere the talk. Numerous bets were made, but in most cases odds were given against it. Meetings were got up, and petitions signed in any quantity. Arguments pro and con filled the journals ; and yesterday, the day appointed, a crowd of delegates from all parts waited on the Governor with the petitions. They presented a formidable array in front of the Government offices, but the Governor received them singly, which prevented anything like a demenstration. When the House met the excitement had culminated, and very soon the result was known. The Governor had refused the dissolution, and immediately the glad tidings were telegraphed all over the country. The Ministry, instead of at once resigning, still clung tenaciously to office, and asked for another day, which boon was fgrauted them after Higinbotham had made one of his forcible speeches, accusing the Governor of refusing the dissolution to Berry that he might give it to McCulloch. It is stated that Harold Selwyn Smith has been appointed manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, at a salary of £ISOO a year. Mr. Woods, the whilom Commissioner of Railways, is never at a loss to make political capital out of anything. On Monday a large number of apprentices from Sandhurst visited the Exhibition. They came down at excursion fares, and presented their orders to the Commissioner, and he in return talked to them of the Flinders-lane conspiracy and the Collins-street combination. The Ary us rates him soundly for this indecent behaviour. A small ketch, the Wasp, capsized at the Heads. The crew were saved.

An effort is being made to obtain postal cards, which are found a great convenience. .

Some £IOOO has been sent to France from Sydney, in aid of the sufferers by the French floods.

The Rev. A. M. Henderson, Congregationalism has received twelve months’ leave on half-pay, and visits Sydney and New Zealand. The inquiry in reference to the Channel lights shows that an additional pile light is required By the last mail several horses were sent to India, for equipages for the use of the Prince of Wales.

The Ringarooma is expected to make a quick passage with the mails this trip, as her compasses have now been properly regulated. There is always a difficulty in a new iron ship. The head-quarters band, formed of all the best musicians, has collapsed, and been disbanded.

The information of the expedition to New Guinea is interesting, but from all accounts it seems an unlikely place for settlements, the climate being one great reason, and the hostility of the natives another. The Chevert party don’t seem to have accomplished much, and the reason of the disorganisation has not been made known. The account furnished from the mission steamer is much more interesting. In the case of Bishop v. Smith (?), Judge Molesworth has decided that the marriage settlement made on Bishop by her husband need not be given up now that she has obtained a divorce.

There is very little betting on the Melbourne Cup. Kingsborough, Imperial, and Melbourne are best favorites. The Albion sails for Hokitika to-morrow, and the Ringarooma, with the English mail, probably on Friday. The convict Weeohurch is again giving trouble, and has nearly killed another warder.

There was to have been much warmer work over the Mayoral election, but at the last moment, Patterson’s friends finding themselves unable to obtain a majority partly Giving to the Jewish fast days, withdrew, and A. K. Smith was elected.

“ Spelling bees,” which were at one time quite plentiful, have completely died out. A good deal of comment has been made on the refusal of the Chief Secretary to grant a theatrical license for the Town Hall for Ristori’s performance. The managers of both theatres sent in a protest, and the manager of one theatre is a member of the Assembly, and voted with the Government on the no confidence motion.

There was a terribly wet day for the Hunt Club meeting, but some very good racing. In the Hunt Club Cup every horse but one came to grief. Taylor was the winner, Sultan won the flat race.

The Cup day is now being looked forward to. A large number of horses each morning exercise on the course. Kingsborough, Imperial, and Melbourne are at present the best favorites. If the weather be fine it is expected fully a hundred thousand persons will be on the course, as the day is a public holiday for the Prince of Wales’ birthday.