AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5581, 17 February 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(per press agency.) The intense heat of the weather and numerous bush fires have been the principal topics during of the week. At Colao a bush fire occurred which caused the death of six persons, and seventeen others are not expected to recover. During one of the hottest days a settler set fire to some scrub on his property, and_ the l on <r grass and trees were at once alight, and the flames soon spread. One child was killed by a falling tree. The fire literally burned the whole place, and the city has been filled with smoke. The selectors have found the very disastrous. Yesterday a deputation interviewed the Minister of Lands with a view of obtaining permission for the rents to stand over for twelve months, owing to the failure of the crops and the destructive season. It was pointed out that not only the past season was bad, but that the last three seasons had been unfavorable, and if payments

are insisted on this year the result simply means ,ruin. The Minister pointed out that ne power existed under the Act to remit rents, but promised not to forfeit for non-payments. He mentioned as a reason why all the rental could not be remitted the fact that the selector’s arrears reached the large sum ol £134,000 for the past six months, while £64,000 were owing for the preceding sis months.

For the last fortnight the heat has been very intense, seldom below a hundred in the shade; in some parts of the country as high as one hundred and fourteen.

The Governor has opened the Horsham railway. The speeches on the occasion were not of a political character. The Governor mentioned that now over a thousand miles of railway were open in the colony, that at the present time 125 miles were in actual construcsion, and the Government would shortly enter into contracts for 112 additional miles. The steam collier Kerangi was wrecked at Cape Everard, during a fog, on Friday, but the crew was saved. The vessel has become a total wreck. She was insured in various offices offices for £23,000. A most disgraceful disturbance occurred on the cricket ground in Sydney on Saturday during the return match. The Sydney men had followed their innings, having only scored 177 in their innings against 267. Murdoch, who went in first was given “ run out" by the umpire. The mob expressed dissatisfaction, and rushed the ground. Lord Harris and Coulthard, umpire, were both assaulted, and Hornby seized one of the assailants and dragged him out of the pavilllon. Play was stopped for the day. The Cricket Association and cricketers have expressed to Lord Harris a deep sense of humiliation aud regret at the occurrence, and Harris acquitted the cricketers of all blame. The only political event just now is West Bourke election, for which four candidates are nominated, including the inevitable William Gaunson. Alfred Drakin, a colonial barrister, is the Ileform League and Government candidate.

At a meeting of the City Council yesterday an address to Sir G. Bowen on his departure was submitted and opposed by many members on account of the Black Wednesday proceedings. Eventually the address was agreed to, the majority of the Councillors leaving the Chamber.

At a half-yearly meeting of the Bank of Victoria some £115,000 were transferred from the reserve fund to special account to meet all claims in connection with some recent mercantile failures. The expenditure of the bank has been reduced by £IO,OOO a year. At all the bank meetings the commercial depression was referred to.

The foundation stone of the International Exhibition is to laid by the Governor on the 19th with some eclat. The day is to be proclaimed a general holiday. W. Patrick McDonald, of Geelong, wine merchant, has failed ; liabilities, between £30,000 and £IO,OOO. All four theatres continue open, but the great heat and general depression has caused a diminished attendance.

Information reached Melbourne early this morning that the Kelly gang made a raid upon Jerilderie township, New South Wales, and stuck up the telegraph office, and made the manager disconnect the wires. They then marched him and his assistant to the look-up, where they incarcerated him with two policemen. The gang then went to the Bank of New South Wales, collected the officials, and marched them to the Royal Hotel. Afterwards they bailed up the manager in his house, and took £2OOO, and burnt a number of deeds and securities. When they departed the prisoners were locked up, but were soon released. This is a more audacious outrage than the Eurora case ; everything was managed with great judgment ; there was no secrecy. They openly stated they intended to rob the bank, and when completed they visited the hotels freely, standing drinks. While one policeman was locked up, the other was taken round town by Ned Kelly to avoid suspicion, Kelly being dressed out in police uniform. When ha reached the hotel Kelly was formally introduced to the landlord by Constable Richards, and said he wanted rooms, and that he intended to rob the bank. The police are utterly at fault, and have been completely thrown off the sceut.

There was a fine rainfall last night. The weather is now cooler.