AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5466, 3 October 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(PER ROTORUA AT AUCKLAND.) Sydney, September 25. The Wosleyaus held a meeting to consider the report of Rev. Brown’s reprisals on the natives for the massacres at New Britain. A resolution was carried expressing sympathy with his difficult position, but regretting there was no other course open to him to secure the safety of himself and party. The Roman Catholics of Sydney are using great exertions to erect -the cathedral. It is considered it will be sufficiently advanced for use by the expenditure of £ls 000. The reason assigned by the Marine Board for suspending the certificate of the captain of the City of Newcastle -is, that although ail precautions had been taken he should not have gone into his cabin when so near port.

(PER ALBION AT PORT CHALMERS.) Melbourne, September 25. The events of the week politically as well as socially have been few and without interest. The Council having given the finishing touches to their Reform Bills, despatched them to the Assembly, where Mr. Ben'y took charge of them, aud having procured their first reading postponed the second reading for a fortnight. In the Assembly the Loans Bill has been finally passed. The amount to be £5,000,000, with per cent, as the rate of interest. There was not a long discussion. A general concurrence of views prevailed as to the necessity of borrowing ; the only questions in dispute being the amount to bo raised and the rate of interest. Several members of the. Opposition urged caution in placing the debentures on the market, aud pleaded for a less sum than was contained in the Governruenfc proposes. Some progress has been made with the T?stimates, and with the Council Reform BUI in committee.

The Governor has intimated to his Ministers that lie will not leave the colony until January next; in the meantime there is much anxitty as to his successor. The Suez mail service is now occupying the attention of the Cabinet, and tenders for a fresh service are to bo at once called for. It is probable that the service will be from Suez to Melbourne, and from Aden to Melbourne, without calling at G-alle, as by the detour to India much time is lost. The contract is to bo for thirty-six days via Brindisi, aud fortytwo days via Southampton, It is rumoured that the P. and O- Company do not intend to tender. There is a desire on the part of the Ministry to make the service purely Victorian; that is, Melbourne to bo. the first port of arrival aud the last of departure, ana the Steamers not to call at tho Sound or South Australia.

The Church of . England Synod is in session, and at the opening tho Bishop delivered one of his ablest addresses. On this occasion his principal topic was the religious education of tho young. He refuted tho idea that the religious teaching which was required could be supplied by Sunday-schools. He also spoke in favor of separate education, and of a grant being given to the Catholics. The tender of tho Fulton Foundry Company has been accepted for 5000 tons of iron pipes. By this encouragement of. local industry tho country loses £13,750, being the difference between the cost of imported and colonial-made pipes. Lady Duffy, tho wife of tho Speaker, died on Saturday last after a rather long illness. Preparations are being made to giva tho Australian cricketers a welcome on their return, and a project has been mooted to form a united eleven of the best playoi's in tho colonies to challenge them. The Mayor's fancy drees ball this year was not so successful in all respects as some previous entertainments of the kind have been. Beautiful spring weather, with mild rain, has been experienced lately, - and the country everywhere is looking well. Business continues dull. " Shakspere,” which at one time spelt bankruptcy with Melbourne managers, is running at two theatres ; George Kegnold, with “Henry tho Fifth,” is doing a splendid business at the Royal, and Creswiok, in “ Henry thf

Fourth,” is playing at the Opera House, whilst the moral and religious drama continues at the "Princess. There was an immense attendance at the Town Hall last night, in celebration of the jubilee of the Rev. Ur, Cairns. A cheque for .£I9OO was presented to him on a silver salver, for the foundation of the “ Cairns jubilee scholarship.” In the Theological Hall yesterday the Bishop of Melbourne received £IOOO from Messrs. Stanbridge, squatters, of Daylesford,' for scholarships in Trinity College. Negotiations are being reopened with the Eastern Cable Company, and they are now willing to allow a reduction of 75 per cent, over their lines, which will make the cost ss. , Id per word from London to Port Darwin. Colonel Glover remain# in Sydney till the sth October, to complete the negotiations if possible. Both Mr. Berry aud Air. Burns are of opinion that these are the best Wms obtainable.