AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5376, 20 June 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, June 13. Parliament meets on the 9th July, when a stormy session is anticipated. ■The leading features of the Reform BUI to be introduced by Government have been sufficiently indicated to make it doubtful if it will be approved by the Council. The Castlemaiue election resulted in the election of Professor Pearson, against his two opponents Chapman and Gaunson, the latter of whom lost his £SO deposit, not having obtained one-fifth of the number of votes palled for the successful candidate. Professor Pearson was formerly a Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, and is an historian of some note. He is a warm supporter of the Government, and is spoken of as the future Minister of Education. South Gippsland has now half a dozen candidates, including Mr. Gaunson, who was defeated at Castlemaine. There have been no public utterances of note during the week. Ministers are mostly engaged in preparations for the coming campaign, and in obtaining departmental returns with a view to an economical preparation of the Estimates for the coming financial year. There have been rumors of misunderstandings in the Cabinet, but not such- as are likely to lead to au open rupture. It is also reported that if two of the Ministers were to retire the step would not be regretted by the remainder. The is some little hitch regarding the final settlement of the terms of the cable contract. Colonel Glover, in acceding to the reduction in Press and Governmental rates, said he could only arrange for such reduction over the company's cables, but Mr. Berry stands out that the specified reduction (75 per cent, for Press and 60 per cent, for Government messages) must include the through passage from London to Port Darwin, including the laud lines through India and Java. There are also one or two other little matters which it is hoped will be amicably settled. The reduced Press rates will come into operation so soon as the contract is signed. New Zealand has not yet replied in regard to her share of the general agreement. There is nothing further in reference to the Loch Ard disaster. No more survivors have been found, and very little cargo has been saved. Subscriptions for Thomas Pearce, the brave young midshipman, are now being raised in this and other colonies. Miss Carmichael is improving in health, but still remains at Mr. Gibson’s station.

The unemployed continue to givesome trouble, and meetings have been held in all parts of the colony. As an instance of the dulness o£ the build* ing trade, it may be mentioned that a cargo of°Oregon timber was offered at auction on Tuesday, when the bidding did not nearly cover the cost of the-original price and freight. In the present unsettled state of affairs capitalists null not invest, and no doubt money is tight ; still all places of are wonderfully well patronised, many of ‘hem being crowded nightly. “ Our Girls, _at the Academy of Music, with J. L. Hall, is prey* ing a groat success. The Italian Opera is doing fairly well; but trade is generally dull. The weather during the past week has been very boisterous and cold, with rain. Bichard Heraghty, who was condemned to be executed at Ballarat, for a most brutal murder of his was reprieved at the last moment, and a special tram was despatched on Sunday, announcing that the sentence had been commuted to one of life imprisonment, the first three years in irons. The wreck of the Loch Ard was sold for £2020 ■ a very high price considering the little cargo likely to be saved, Sir James Purves, a very old colonist, who imported several well-known racehorses, died last night. ' Sidney, Jane 13. A billiant meteor was seen here to-day o£ great size. It exploded with a loud report. fa The action of the New Zealand and South Australian Companies resulted in a verdict for plaintiff for £1549. Adelaide, June 13. The adress in reply to the Governor’s speech was agreed to in the Assembly. Mr, Townsend has been re-elected Chprman of Committees.’ ’ Bains have been general throughout the country.