AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5483, 23 October 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(PER BIKGABOOMA AT THE BLOW’.) , MEIBODiiSE, October 16. i The Reform Bill has reached the Council, ■ where it was read the first time yesterday, on ' the motion of Sir Charles Sladen,. but no order was made for the ‘second reading. It is evi--1 dent the Council intend to adopt the same tactics as the Assembly, where the Council Reform Bill lias remained hung up since the , first reading was moved by Mr.* Berry. A telegram has been received from the Chairman of the Associated Banks in Loudon, stating that, as tile money market is easier, there is a probability of floating a two million, , or perhaps a three million loan, if the Government undertake not to introduce any further loan for twelve mouths at least. The banks also suggest that the time and the minimum ' should be left to their discretion, acting with the Agent-General. 1 The Loan Bill for five millions has now passed, and the debentures will be sent Home > next mail. ' The cable duplication question has been i settled, so far as tho Cable Company is concerned. They have accepted ail the terms, and it only remains for Messrs. Berry and Burns to sign the contract on behalf of their respective Governments ; but it is believed that the New Zealand reduction will first have to be decided, and terms have beeu arranged for a reduction for Press rates over the New Zealand cable. The Land Commissioner, some time since, found that Mr. A. 0. Allan, Assistant Sur-veyor-General, had been guilty of dummying ; land, and the matter having beeu brought before the Cabinet, ho is to bo allowed to resign. A . charge of “ embracery,” or tampering with jurors, is at present before the Police Court, in wioh David Henry, a well-known money lender, is the principal defendant. Despatches received by the Governor contain the opinions of the law officers on the question of payment on the authority of the. Assembly, as recommended by the Government here during the crisis. The law officers recognise an appropriation under the 45th clause of the Constitution Act, but state that the Governor is not authorised in signing the warrants on the authority of tho Lower House alone. Bishop Selwyn, of Melanesia, was a passenger to England by the Orient steamer Garonne. The weather has been very variable ; great heat has been followed by sharp cold. During Monday night and Tuesday violent squalls witlf hail showers were experienced. Business still continues dull, and but little improvement is noticeable. * A large number of the Cup horses have arrived from other colonies. There is little betting, and no alteration in the odds. .“Henry V.” is falling off at tho Theatre Royal, having nearly run its course. Sam Emery and Wybeft Reeve, two wellknown comedians, arrived by the Orient steamer Chimborazo at Adelaide yesterday, and Miss Ada Ward is also a passenger from the Cape. Messrs Berry and -Sladen have agreed that the two Reform Bills shall be referred to a confereneo; five members of each House to be appointed on Tuesday. It is not considered likely that any result will he gained.