AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5524, 10 December 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(per arawata at the blcpp.) Melbourne, December 5. The Chief Secretary appears to have firmly made up his mind to proceed to .England, and it is said he will not be shaken from his purpose. The Council recently passed a resotion offering certain concessions, including a dissolution of the Council in the event of a dispute ; but when these were transmitted to the Assembly they moved that the resolution was an infraction of the rights and privileges of the Assembly, and could not be received. The resolutions were debated one day last week, and the debate was adjourned to last night, when Service moved a series of resolutions by way of amendment. Ho asked the Government to take up the Council Reform Bill,' and introduce the principle of dissolutions ; and further, to provide for finality in legislation, so that in the event of any dispute both Houses should sit together, according to the Norwegian plan, and the result of that to be final. Mr. Berry declined to accept the proposal in any shape or form. He said there was no guarantee that the Council would act on the resolution, and that there was nothing left but an appeal to the Imperial authorities, and he said he felt sure of success. The result was that Mr. Berry’s resolution for non-acceptance of the Council's resolutions was carried by 46 to 41, and according to arrangement the embassy leaves by the mail at the end of this month. In the meantime the Council is delaying the passage of the Appropriation Bill and the prorogation of Parliament; but now that the decision of the Assembly has been arrived at the session will close at the end of the week. Several meetings were held in various parts of the country on the embassy question, but while in many instances the majority declared for the Government proposals, there was still evidence that the country was not unanimous on the question. The Commissioner of Public Works, speaking the other night, said Black Wednesday was the most glorious day the sun ever shone on in the colony. The Contagious Disease Act has been passed by Parliament and assented to by the Governor. It has transpired that the vacant Judgeship has been offered Mr. Higiubotham and declined. ■ , ... The fines of £SOO imposed on David and £SO on Ireland, in the embracery cases, have been paid by both the prisoners, who aro confined in Melbourne gaol. . _ ' The celebrated stallion Panic died on Saturday. There is nothing further about the bushrangers, and all traces appear to be lost. The police found the horses of the murdered men and some charred reins and saddles, but nothing was seen or heard of Kelly’s gang. Lord Harris’s team of gentlemen cricketers have arrived in Adelaide, and play there on Thursday week, the same day as the Australian Eleven play in Melbourne. A new steel paddle-wheel steamer, to carry 1000 passengers, is to bo built for the Bay trade. _ The seamen’s strike in Sydney is causing some inconvenience, as few of the boats of the A.S.N. Company are now running. Theatrical business is dull. The Princess Theatre is closed. Charles Clark is drawing large houses la the Town Hall. (

Rust is prevalent in many parts of the country.

Very dry weather is being experienced. There is every prospect of a hot summer. A very influential commission, with the Duke of Richmond as President, will act in England on behalf of the Melbourne Interna* tional Exhibition ; Sir E. Sanford as Executive Commissioner ; Sir Cunliff© *Owen acting in a similar capacity for New South Wales.