AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5356, 28 May 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(per abawata at the bleep.) Melbourne, May 22.

Tiie publication of the Governor's despatches to the Colonial Office during the crisis has given rise to much comment. ' , The Cable Conference concluded its sittings on Saturday. The report showed that it agreed to Colonel Glover’s proposal to duplicate the cable from Singapore to Bangoewangie, avoiding the land lines on the Island of Java. The company will also duplicate the section between Penang and Singapore. The representative of Queensland moved a series of resolutions in favor of an independent route via Normantown and the Gulf of Carpentaria, and also for connecting with the Queensland land lines from the present terminus at Port Darwin; but only Tasmania voted with Queensland, the other colonies voting together on all questions. The representative of Tasmania moved that the cables connecting New South Wales with New Zealand, Tasmania with Victoria, and Port Darwin with Singapore, be considered as ocean linen, forming one system of telegraphic communication ; that the cost of subsidies now paid be borne by the colonies benefiting by the same rateably. This was negatived. A large meeting of the unemployed was held in Melbourne on Monday. A deputation afterwards waited on Mr, Berry, who said that the want of employment was caused by the tactics of the capitalists and moneyed men, who were defeated at the hustings. He promised to provide temporary employment, trusting afterwards to obtain the sanction of Parliament.

Mr. Francis was yesterday elected for Warrnambool by a majority of 111 over Mr, Craig, the Eeform League candidate. In the case against Captain King and Mr. Batters, the mate of the Alexandra, for attempting to scuttle the vessel, the jury after being looked up all night were unable to agree, and were discharged. Mr. Fanning’s Fancy Free won the St. Leger stakes at the coursing meeting of the Victoria Club. Mr. F. M. Bates, the actor, suddenly disappeared on Monday night, and the performance at the Princess Theatre was stopped in consequence. Nothing has yet been ascertained as to his whereabouts. Business is very dull ; there is very little doing. Sydney, May 22. The new Land Bill laid on the table gives additional facilities to selectors. It allows families to take up contiguous acres without any residence conditions, but with improvement conditions. The repairs to the Orient steamer Chimborazo will be completed next month, and will cost about £BOOO. Adelaide, May 22. Mr. Howard Clark, editor and principal proprietor of the Register, died on Monday. His mother was sister to Sir Howland Hill. Parliament meets on 31st May.