AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5299, 20 March 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(PER ALHAMBRA AT TUB BLUFF.) Melbourne, 13fch March. Strong efforts have been made all the week with the view of effecting a compromise between the two Houses, but although there is a strong inclination on both sides, there is a difficulty in the manner of bringing it about. Probably when the Council meets to-morrow something will be done, as it is intended to move for a conference with the Assembly. The Governor and Commissioners of Audit have signed the necessary warrants empowering expenditure under the 45th section of the Constitution Act. The Governor has received another telegram from the Colonial Office, but it is strictly private. It is said, however, to be satisfactory so far as it goes. In the meantime, matters go on quietly enough, and even if no compromise is arrived at, the Government will have over £300,000 made available to carry on till the end of July. The Chimborazo arrived after a passage of 42 days, but nothing is yet known as to the condition of the salmon ova for New Zealand. She brought a large number of passengers. Tenders have been accepted for the Stawell and Horsham railway, 52 miles, at £118,201, or £2270 per mile. The sub-committee of the Barry testimonial recommend a bronze statue on a marble pedestal, to be placed in front of the Public Library.

Sir John Coode ia at present in Gipps Laud, examining the Lakes entrance on behalf of the Government. He proceeds to Sydney shortly, and thence Home, via California. At a sale of yearlings recently held, the different lots averaged : —A. K. Finlay, 223 guineas ; Phillips, 132 guineas ; Gerrard, 223 guineas. A large number were sold. The stakes paid over at the autumn meeting amounted to £BOBO. 0. B. Fisher and J. Wilson were the highest winners. The attend - ance at the meeting was very moderate. The running of First King and Chester in the St. Leger and Town Plate were the principal attractions. Lady Ellen, who won the Newmarket Handicap, was an outsider, so far as the public was concerned, but some few who were aware of her merits made money. A murder has been committed in Bullandak Forest. A man named Little is the victim. The case at present is surrounded with a good deal of suspicion, and one William Hayes is in custody. There is not much doing at the theatres. The Royal company are playing Boucicault’s pieces, the same as at the Princess ; local productions are played at the Academy of Music; and English opera at the Opera House. Breadstuffs are lower ; sales of wheat at ss. 6d.; oats also lower. A tremendous tornado occurred at Cairns, in Northern Queensland. Forty-eight buildings were blown down, and others injured. The place is in ruins, but no lives were lost. An order has been promulgated by the Sydney Government, in accordance with a resolution of the Assembly, prohibiting members acting as land agent's. The Japanese man-of-war has arrived at Brisbane. In Adelaide the approaching general election is occupying attention. The writs will be issued this week. The Premier issues a manifesto of the Government policy in a few days. The Hobarton property destroyed is valued at £12,000, and is partly covered by insurance. The places burned included Risby’s saw mill. The Alhambra has the salmon ova on board, and it apparently arrived in good condition.