AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5520, 5 December 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(per tararua at the bluff.) Melbourne, *7ch November. The embassy question has been pretty well the absorbing topic of the week. Efforts have been made in various directions to frustrate the embassy, but the Chief Secretary appears to have set his mind upon it. At Geelong, on Monday night, Berry was unable to obtain a hearing, and a most noisy meeting took place, the chairman giving the result as a slight majority in favor of the embassy. At a meeting held at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, however, at which about 309 persons were present, a resolution was carried by a majority of four to one against the embassy. The Attor-ney-General was present and attempted to speak, but the meeting would not allow him. to do bo. The meeting was very noisy, and much feeling shown over the question. In the Council yesterday Cuthbertson’s resolutions in favor of reform—to the effect that Appropriation Bills shall not contain any disputed matter, and that, in the event of any disputed matter being included, it shall be placed iu a separate Bill, and both Houses be dissolved on the question—were carried, by IS to 7, without any discussion. The resolutions were then forwarded to the Assembly. Munro, member for Carlton, held a meeting last night, when resolutions were passed to tho effect that no embassy should proceed to England until the country had been consulted. Business in the Assembly during the last few days has been characterised by great disorder, and very little real business has been done. Sir John O’Shannaasy's Education Bill was debated during the best part of one night, but with no result. Since the prorogation has been announced, and the Appropriation Bill passed, very little has been clone. The Reform Club, started under the auspices of the Berry Ministry, has collapsed, and the proprietor has been sued in the County Court for moneys expended on account of the club. There is nothing fresh regarding the bushrangers. A number of police are still out in pursuit; but with the exception that the horses of the murdered constables have been recovered near the scene of the murder, nothing further has been discovered. The seamen’s strike in Sydney affects this port, inasmuch as the boats of the A.S.N. Company are unable to make the usual trips to Melbource. The net profits of the Melbourne Jockey Chib over last spring meeting amounted to £7llO, which is larger than the profits of any previous year. There are great improvements still to be made on the ground. Mr. Lyster has engaged an opera company at Home, and will leave with them for the colonies in January next. The Baldwin exposure of spiritualism is drawing large houses at St. George’s Hall. Mr. Creswick has concluded his engagement at the Opera House. Tho Australian cricketers met with an enthusiastic reception in Sydney, and a similar ovation awaits them here.