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AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(PER ALBION AT THE BLUFF.) Melbourne, August 28. The Reform Bill debate is over, but how long it will take to get it through committee is impossible to say, as a large number of amendments havo been made from both sides of tho House. The Government are anxious to close the session in October, but there appears little chance of that, as in addition to tho Reform Bill there aro the Loan Bill for railway construction aud the Budget estimates, besides other measures of general legislation, to bo dealt with. Mr. Berry is anxious to get the session over iu order that ho may take a trip to England as principal commissioner in charge of the Reform Bill.

The election of Dr. W. E. Hearn, Dean of the Faculty of Law, to a seat iu the Legislative Council for the Central Province was a great triumph. The Central Province contains 10,000 voters, or one-third of the whole voting power of the Council constituents, and the large majority of 2272 secured by Dr. Hearn was a strong expression of the opinion of the Upper House constituency against tho Government Keform measure and the pldriscitum, as Dr. Hearn was considered an extreme man, while his opponent, Mr. Kobert Byrne, professed moderate views, and moreover secured the Catholic vote. The votes recorded wore Hearn, 3995 ; Byrne, 1723.

The Stevenson prosecution for conspiracy has resulted in the jury disagreeing, and the defendants have been bound over to appear when called on ; but it is not likely that the Government will risk another prosecution, as in tho present instance the disagreement of the jury, it is said, was only caused by two obstinate men who wished to convict Stevenson at any' cost, while they were quite prepared to discharge the other defendants. Tho numbers were ten to two, the majority being for an acquittal. The Judge, in summing-up the evidence, -was very rough : on Stevenson and somewhat severe on the practices of merchants iu general, but notwithstanding the unfavorableness of the Judge’s charge, and

the apparently strong desire oi the Crown and the great Liberal party to secure a conviction, the majority of the jury took a different'view, and really the case for the Crown was a very weak one, and absolutely proved nothing. There is great danger of the cable duplication negotiations falling through altogether. The directors in London decline to accept all the conditions imposed, and specially those in reference to the Press combinations. If the combinations are not permitted unrestrictedly the principal newspapers, who now pay large sums annually to the Cable Company, would not avail thefnselves of the proposed reduction, preferring rather to remain as at present, and pay the full rate. In that case the Government would not grant the subsidy, as no reciprocal benefit would be obtained except a duplicate cable, which just now is not an absolute necessity. Colonel Glover leaves for England next month, goiug by way of Port Darwin, and perhaps something may be done on his arrival in England. The Hon. W. J. Clarke has been appointed President of the International Exhibition to be held in Melbourne in 1880. At the annual show of the Australian Sheepbreeders Association, now being held, some magnificent sheep are being exhibited, and it is said this will be one of the finest shows ever seen in Australia. Twenty pure merinoes, from the flock of Mr. W. Pitts, of the Levels, South Australia, realised £lOBl. Out of the 14 Lincolns of Mr. McLean, of Auckland, only one was sold, and that at thirty guineas. We have at last heard the last of the Potts’ infant case. The woman Eitzgibbons pleaded guilty to stealing the child, and has been sentenced to two years imprisonment, some portion of which term is to be spent in solitary confinement.

The Pearce testimonial, which amounted in all to a thousand pounds, has been presented to Mr. Pearce, who, after having been well lionised, has departed. The Lands Commission has been enquiring into a charge brought against Mr. A. C. Allan, Assistant Surveyor-General, and has found the charge against him proved. ' What the result may be is as yet uncertain, but it is probable that Mr. Allan will ask for the case to be heard by an impartial board, as he can do under the Civil Service Act.

During the last few clays the weather has been uncomfortably warm, as though the summer had come upon us all at once. Business still continues very dull, but as the spring advances it is expected to be brisker. Betting on the Cup is dull, principally owing to the absence of members of the ring in Sydney. In another month, when the horses commence training at Flemington, there will be more doing. Little is stirring in the way of amusements. The Bingarooma is announced to sail direct to Wellington on September 16. The Assam with the English mails will probably reach here on the 11th. The second reading of the Reform Bill,was . carried last night by a majority of 59 to 22. Mr. Service moved an amendment affirming the desirability of reform, and expressing the opinion that the question should be dealt with by a select committee. This course was adopted. The opposition was not against the measure of reform, but was opposed to the Government propositions. ■ There was a full House, eighty-two members being present when the division was taken. A collision occurred at tho Government railway terminus yesterday, which resulted in damage being done to some trucks attached to the goods train. One of the passengers on the other train was slightly bruised. Heavy rain fell yesterday and last night.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18780904.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5441, 4 September 1878, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
945

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5441, 4 September 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5441, 4 September 1878, Page 2

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