AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5523, 9 December 1878, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

(From Australian Papers.) In an article in the Argus on banking statistics in Victoria and New South Wales the Argus says:—“The latter colony had not only ample funds in 1877 to meet the requirements of her own population, but could spare upwards of nine millions for investment outside of tho colony; whereas Victoria had little more than three milliors and a half available for outside use. ‘ The result of the whole,’ observes the Sydney Morning Herald, 1 is to show the wonderful growth of accumulation in this colony as compared with our neighbors; for the public are now depositing with tho banks here over £5 per head more, with advances £3 per head less, than the rates prevailing in Victoria.' In other words 610,000 people in New South Wales deposited £16,325,043 in the banks, while 350,000 people in this colony deposited no more than £16,503,528.” The same paper also quotes the following “ The police authorities having been informed that tho navvies employed on tho Oaklelgh railway were to be kept at work on Sunday, Sergeant Parkinson received orders to tako the names of all the men found working on the railway on Sunday, in order that they might bo proceeded against under the Act of King Charles 11, Sergeant Parkinson went to the works on Saturday, and cautioned the men against working on Sunday, and operations were accordingly suspended on that day.” From Melbourne we hear that W. Edwards, the long-distance walker, had arrived from Sydney by the s.s. Barrabool. Edwards has recently performed the feat of walking 111 miles in twenty-four hours. In Tasmania a sort of political deadlock appears to have taken place. Tho Government had been defeated on two occasions by the casting vote of the Speaker. The Tribune says:—“On tho following day (Gth instant) hoa. members were somewhat taken by surprise by a motion tabled at the outset by the Colonial Treasurer, that tho House should adjourn till the 3rd December. Mr. Gibliu took tho opportunity of making a Ministerial statement informing lion, members that he found it extremely difficult, if not altogether impossible, to carry on the Government of the colony in the position in which he found himself placed by the very even balance of parties in the House of Assembly, and stated as his reason for asking the adjournment that an opportunity would be afforded of filling the vacant seats in the Assembly, and allowing the country to express an opinion upon the proposals of the Government. After some discussion the adjournment was granted, and on the 12th instant writs were issued.” The following is an abstract of tho Tasmanian revenue for the first ten months of the four years ending October, 1878: —

Showing for 1878 an increase over 1877 of £22,382; over 1876 of £49,884; and over 1875 of 47,906.

A trial of reapers and binders took place on the 20th instant, about ten miles from Melbourne, but beyond the fact that the presence of thistles in the crop interferes with the working of the machines, there was nothing new elicited by the trial. Referring to the statement made at a Ministerial caucus, that the Speaker of the Assembly had done valuable service to the party by “ keeping the Governor straight,” the Pilot remarks: — 44 Sir C. G. Duffy had given advice, but the advice was bad. He led the Governor into a scrape. He has put Mr. Berry in a position that the people in Victoria, with their socialistic or worst propensities, will scarcely excuse him from. Six months ago he might have gone to the country with the sure and certain hope of a large and decided majority. How he would fare at the present time is much more doubtful. The people may not have changed their creed, but they unquestionably have less faith than they had in their prophet. Mr. Berry, it is perfectly clear to them, has been doing a very good stroke of business on his own account. They have not prospered, but he has. And now they find that even when it has been assumed that he has led, he has only been a tool in the hands of Sir C. G. Duffy, whose reward was to to have been the agent-generalship. It is not of the least use for Sir Charles, at the present time, to declare that he will not accept the prize he evidently manoeuvred for. But for the exposure in the Argus he would have taken it. He may not be guilty of the deed, but he is, without any question, guilty of the intent. An intent, as he very well knows, forms the principal ingredient in some actions that the law takes notice of.”

The Minister of Railways has decided to accept the tender of five associated coal companies for the supply at Newcastle of 50,000 tons of coal required for the use of the Victorian railways during tbe ensuing year. The coal is to be delivered on hoard the vessels of Messrs. Mollwraith and Co., at a uniform price of 14s. per ton. The name of the contracting companies are the Australian Agricultural, Newcastle and Wallsend, Ce-operative, Duokenfeld, and Feradale coal companies. With the cost of the carriage from Newcastle the price to the department of the coal used during the next twelve months will thus be—--245. per ton delivered at Melboui’ue or Williamatown, 245. 6d. at Geelong, and 275. at Portland.

1875 1776 1877 1878 £ £ £ £ Customs . 140,823 153,653 103,5-40 175,077 Inland . 41,623 41.003 43,482 55,745 Territorial , . 39,314 31,960 41,965 45,597 Railway . 16,239 15,304 15,535 15,485 Totals . . £243,093 £242,020 £209,522 £291,904

1877 1873 Imports, for tho first 10 months .. £093.420 1,040,214 Exports 1,060.188 030,905 Gold exports 24,0X1 40,122