AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5641, 29 April 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(PEE PEESS AGENCY.) (pee aeawata at the bluff.) Melbourne, April 23.

Political matters continue dull. There have been no Ministerial utterances during the week. The Cabinet has been engaged in the preparation of measures for the coming session, which it is anticipated will be very exciting, as an appeal to the country on the Reform question is inevitable. The Governor made two practical speeches —one at the distribution of prizes at the Church of England Grammar School, the other at the University dinner. Lady Norman by is sufficiently recovered to hold a reception, which was very numerously attended, At the annual commencement of the University on Saturday, Sir Bryan O’Loghlen, on coming up for his degree of M.A, was loudly hooted by the undergraduates, who are more than usually noisy this year—so much so as to call for the condemnation of the Chancellor, who threatened to adjourn the proceedings. The Governor afterwards in a speech referred to the definition of a gentleman. His remarks were evidently prompted by the noisy, conduct of the undergraduates.: - The weather has been beautifully fine and summer-like, but disastrous for the country, as agricultural operations are at- a standstill owing to the want of rain, and in many parts

water is not even available for domestic purposes. The railway department has scarcely water for locomotives, and complaints are numerous of ruin to crops. Arthur McCody, warehouseman and importer, has been sentenced to nine months for fraudulent insolvency. Sir William Jervoia's defence scheme has undergone several important modifications. Instead of a pile fort and armaments in the Bay there are to be shore batteries, to be armed with the new ten-inch Armstrong all tho Hatfield bushrangers have been sentenced to death, probably only one, Gorman tho ringleader, who nred the shot by which Power was wounded, will be executed. . Professor McCoy, of the Melbourne University, has been awarded the Murchison medal by the Royal Geological Society. The late shareholders of tho Hobson s Bay Railway Company have been paid tho value of their shares. Those held in the colony amount to £301,353. The largest shareholder was W. J. Clarke, close upon £IOO,OOO. Nothing has been beard of the Kellys. The ten men known as tho Kelly sympathisers, after being kept in gaol five months have been discharged, as no evidence was brought against them. The Eight Honrs’ Demonstralion on Monday was very successful, fully 15,000 persons attended tho fete. Several of the Ministry ■wore present. The Victoria Eire and Marine Insurance Company is to bo wound up, and a new company formed. The assets, which amount to nearly a quarter of a million, are to be divided amongst the shareholders. Four vessels have been chartered to load for Callao, and 1800 tons flour ami America. This is in consequence of tho war between Chili and Bolivia. Business still continues very dull. All places of amusement continue to bo well attended, especially the Opera, where the average takings are nearly £IOOO a week. Captain Barice, of the Royal Navy, lately attached to the P.stal Department, is dead. There is some suspicion that his death was hastened by an overdose of narcotic, administered by his attendant. Cook and Kilkenny have concluded their billiard matches, and will proceed to New Zealand after visiting Sydney. The P. and O. Company intend issuing return tickets at reduced faros during the Sydney and Melbourne Exhibitions, allowing three months’ stay in Australia.