AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5417, 7 August 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(I’EU ALBION AT THE BLUFF.)

Mblbouhnb, July 31. Tho principal political events of tho past week have been the resignation of the Hon. H. Cuthbert, Post-master-General, on Wednesday evening last. When Sir Charles Bladen's Reform Bill was b fore tho House Mr. Cathborfc expressed the opinion that with certain alterations tho Bill would meet all there quirements, and that it would not be necessary for him to introduce any extreme measure. He added that if the expression of oplniqn thus publicly made would embarrass his colleagues he preferred to resign. The next day he had an interview with iiis chief, and his resignation followed in due course. - It is anticipated that there will be some difficulty in finding a successor, as he would be a bold man to advocate a Bib in the C mncil having for its object tho extinction of t at body. Sir Charles Sladen’s Bill is being generally received by the Council, and they arc all determined to male* it such a measure as will be generally accepted by the whole body of members. The purchase of the Hobson's Bay railway has boon ra ifled by the large majority of 53 to 0, anil the main difficulty having been cleared away, the Bill authorising the construction of aline connecting the Oippsland line with Melbourne has been passed, so that tho work will be commenced ns soon as possible,

Tho second reading of the Reform. Bill will be moved at an early date, and tho debate is likely to lust a long time. The election for tho Dundas seat, vacated by Mr. Macpherson, resulted in tho return of John Sergeant, who will give a qu ilifled support to tho Government. It was expected that tho Opposition would have secured this seat.

At a large and influentially-attended meeting of citizens, held in the i own Hall, resolutions congratulating Lord Beaconsfteld on tho settlement of tho Eastern Question and the securing of peace, were carried by acclamation, and a telegram to that effect has been sent Home. . ■The loss of the barque James Service, with all on board, on the West Australian coast, has created some sensation, as the vessel w s a regular trader, and was bound to.this port. Two or three bodies have been found, but no survivors. A largo quantity of passengers’luggage and cargo has been washed a-hore Sov »ral members *>f the theatrical profession were aboard the French barque Sussex which was wrecked about fifty miles from Russell Island, in Northern Queensland. Four of tbo crow were drowned in getting out of the boat. The survivors lauded on tho island after being for some time at sea and reduced almost to tho verge of starvation. Th y had only a dozen biscuits left among th'.-m when found, and they had previously lived on a biscuit a day each. It ha< been resolved to hoi 1 a Juvenile Industrial Exhibition in Melbourne next year. The weather his been extremely cold, with falls of snow iu various parts of the country. On,the Woods Point-road several drays ere snowed up. The winter generally has been the severest felt for some time. ■ .

The Stevenson case is coming before the Court again next month. After tho Chief Ju tico’refusod to grant a warrant against the accused persons, the Government obtained a warrant from tho Police Magistrate. and they were then compelled to enter into bail, bonds.

Messrs. Wig ram are building a new steamer for the Australian passengT r rade. She will bo larger than any vessel of the present fleet.

The Melbourne Cup is beginning to attract attention. Mclita has been backed for very large sums at 100 to 10. She is now first favorite. Walker's Now Zealand horses aro under the care of Dakin. They are splendid animals, but doubt is expressed whether they can be got ready in time for tho Cup. ' Tho Jlawkesbury meeting, which opens tho spring campaign, takes place in tho middle of August, and Kami wick at the end of the month. ♦* Our Girls.” after a wonderful run at the Academy, will be withdrawn at tho end of this week, and “ Our Dad” bo substituted. “Undo Tom” continues at the Princess.

. Adelaide, July 31. The Treasurer dellvaVed his Budget speech last night. He announced a now loa • for railways and public works, and an Income-t x of 6d. in the pound to meet the deficiency in the revenue.- The debate was postponed to Thursday week. The Gentleman team of cricketers will play their first match in Adelaide in,the.m (Idle of December. It is said they will bo accompanied by Sh wand Morloy, professional bowlers. The Adelaide Government will arrange with the Victorian Government for an extension to 1880 of the P. and O. Company's contract

(PER ROTORUA AT AUCKLAND.) The prevalence of typhoid fever hero Is attracting much attention.

The business of Hastings, Cunlngham, and Co, Co., woolbrokers, has been taken over by a company with a capital of £750.000. There is considerable mining excitement owing to the striking of gold at a depth of 2000 ft. in a shaft at Stawcll. The profits of the Land and Mortgage Bank are £IO.OOO. A dividend of 7 per cent, has been declared. ■ The Commissioner for lldlwaya, in replying to a deputation, said the Governm“nt railway schemo includes provision for ample railway communication with the northern and north-eastern suburbs. Melbochne. August 1. A deputation from the Manufacturprs’ Exhibition Association waited on Mr. Berry and offered their cordial support to the proposal to hold an International Exhibition at Melbourne. : Brisbane, August 1. There is a great rush to a place forty-five miles below Palmersville A thousand Chinamen have got there already. The South, Esk has arrived with 303 immigrant*. Itc the outrage at the Solomon Islands iho Sydney News says :—Advices by the schooner Isabella report the murder of Hader at the Island of Ugl. situated iiear the southern end of San Chrlstobol. H.M. schooner Beagle has shelled the native village. For years past Captain Ferguson, of Sydney, has always had a man on the Island, and has traded with the nat ves peaceably, and lived in perfect security. Latterly Captain Swartz stationed a man named Townsend and a boy on the weather side of the island; but there is no l natlve village near his place, and it is unlikely therefore that the victims were connected whh Swartz’s ; enterprise. Mr. Wright, connected with a New Zealand firm, was also stationed on the island. The only other resident was John Stevcrs, of -'ydn-y.whd has been engaged for years trailing foe Captain Ferguson. It appears that the murdered man was landed on the island of Ugi by Captain McLeod, who was in charge of a New Zealand vessel. , Another man who was ill was landed at the same time. Ho had been badly speared, and is now on board the Boag'e. McLeod is master of the brigantine Ada. •