AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5110, 9 August 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(pee taeakua at the bluff.) Melbourne, August I. The Government having curtailed the direct line to Oakleigh, have effected a saving of one hundred and thirty thousand pounds. It is proposed to make two new lines, great opposition being shown to the line going through the Botanical Gardens. The Financial Statement will be made on the 9th instant. The Land Tax Bill is to follow. At the opening of the Colac railway some of the Ministers present alluded to political matters about which there was a difference of opinion. The remarks were coldly received, and Ministers showed questionable taste in leaving before the proceedings had concluded, and before the Governor had proposed one of the 1 tincipal toasts. It is much commented on that the Elections Committee should have declared that- Davis, the member for Granville, was not a minister of_ religion, but that Dr. Macartney, of South Gippsland, was, and should have ousted him from his seat. The weather here has been unusually mild, with very little rain! Sir W. Jervois’ report involves an expenditure of £350,000 and an annual expenditure of £73,000, which is £IO,OOO less than at present. He depends upon the batteries and torpedoes at the headland entrance for means of defence. The new prima donna Signora Sink is a success. She is a German, and is a good artiste. Wheat is firm at 7s. 54d.; oats in more demand. The Government intend to introduce a Bill to permit ministers of religion to sit in Parliament; but while members they are not to officiate, A magnificent meteor was seen on the 81st. It was an unusually brilliant one.