AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5319, 13 April 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PER ALHAMBRA AT THE BLUFF.) Melbourne, April 6. The crisis is over so far. According to arrangement, the Council having passed the Payment of Members Bill and the Assembly having removed the obnoxious item from the Appropriation Bill, it was readily passed by Council. This will enable Government to prorogue on Tuesday, but the political animosities still exist. Sir Charles Sladen stated in the Council the other day that the Governor had solicited the votes of members of the Council in favor of passing a Laud Tax Bill, and this he characterised as an act of impropriety bordering on indecency for the Governor of the colony to solicit votes for a political measure. His Excellency’s partisanship throughout the whole crisis was also severely condemned. The Council passed an address to the Queen reflecting on the partiality of. the Governor, and the Assembly, as a counterblast to the Council’s address, passed an address to the Governor on his impartial and constitutional action during the crisis. The Opposition in the Assembly declined on the occasion of the debate to discuss the Governor’s conduct, and left the chamber in a body. Such is the present state of political feeling in the country, and it will probably take a long, time before political animosities are assuaged. Berry, in moving an address to the Governor in the Assembly said that the Governor’s utterances perhaps were not always discreet, and evidence of .that is furnished in his reply to the address of the Legislative Council, in which he mentions the loyal respect for his office which had heretofore always distinguished both Houses of the Victorian Parliament.

It was hoped that previous to the prorogation something would have been done towards the settlement of Hailway Bills, but the Conference was unable to agree on ■ the terms, and the matter is now further hung «p for some months.

The recess will be short, and then a Bill for the reform of the Council will be introduced. This will provide that when a measure is passed by the Assembly and by the Council, it shall be brought in again next session, and having again passed the Assembly the Council should have the option of calling for a pkbiseitum, and envoys should be sent Home to obtain the passing of the Bill into Very great sympathy was shown by all classes in regard to the illness of Judge Fellows) as if his death would be a public calamity. ~ , , , „ .. The revenue returns published show a deficit of £IB,OOO on the corresponding period of last year, and £E4,000 on the whole. The principal increases are in ad valorem duties, wharfage rates, and territorial. . It has been shown that the rainfall dnnug the present year was greater by an inch than for the last twenty years. Everything looks green and well all over the country. The Government intend dealing permanently with the Civil Service at the end of next week. Only, those officers absolutely required will be reinstated, and in some departments further reductions will be made. Business is brisker. There is a good demand for brandies, and also for sugars. Oats, prime, 55.; wheat, 5s Bd. . All amusements are quiet, and very little is doing. . . , Arrangements are pending for the visit ot another All England Eleven, all gontlemen, or failing that, a mixed or wholly professional team. They would come_ out under the auspices of the Melbourne Cricket Club.' . „ Sydney, April 6. The repairs required by the Chimberazo will probably occupy three months. The Assembly rejected the amendment in the Electoral Bill in favor of payment of members. The revenue returns show a decrease of £223,661, owing in a great measure to the withdrawal of land from sale. The Free Library and Museum, in accordance with a resolution of the Assembly, is to be opened on Sundays. Adelaide, April 6. The revenue returns show an increase on the quarter. The elections are proceeding. Ail the members of the Government have so far been returned by a majority unopposed.