AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5653, 13 May 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PEE ALBION AT THE BLUFF.) (PEE PEES 3 AGENCY.) Melbourne, 6th May. The week has been singularly devoid of events of any description. A writ for Central Province has been issued. The only candidate at present is James Lorimer, who comes forward as an advocate of moderation in dealing with the Reform question. JLiOrrimer supports the view that in the event of a disagreement between the two Houses, they be dissolved; these still disagreeing both shall sit and vote together. The Argus also supports this view as the best solution of the difficulty that can be obtained under present circumstances. This is an improvement on, the Norwegian scheme proposed by Mr. Francis some years ago. The Government intend to effect an amendment in the Licensing Act, owing to continued complaints in the administration of the present law.

The Governor visits Geelong this week, and will probably be accompanied by Lady Normanby. There is to be no birthday ball, but a large official dinner on the 24th. The Minister for Railways is expending large sums of money in' making Melbourne dock close, to the terminus. Although it has beeu pointed out that the bar work will interfere with Sir John Goode’s scheme, he declines to suspend operations. What rain has fallen has done a large amount of good, but is as yet insufficient. The weather during the past few days has been clear and cold. Daring the voyage of the Albion from New Zealand hence, she encountered unusually heavy weather. A seaman, named George Lendie, who was at the wheel, was washed overboard and was drowned, E. Monk, of Wombat, sawmill proprietor, who assisted the police after the IVlansfield murderers, has been persistently persecuted, and even shot at, by some unknown man. It is alleged that Monk was never shot at, and that the whole story is a fabrication; hut

there is nothing to support this allegation. Monk has now left his home and come into Mansfield. The Government are about to purchase his premises and convert them into a police station. Joseph Aarons, proprietor of the Academy o£ Music and Victorian Arcade, is in the Insolvent Court. His liabilities are returned at £69,000, and assets £93,000. The assignee anticipates paying all creditors in full. Mr. W. C. Smith, the Treasurer and Minister of Education, is very ill. He was to have addressed his constituents on Friday evening, but was unable to do so.

An action for over £30,000 damages, which commenced on March 14th, is still far from finished. One witness has been under examination nearly a fortnight. One of the Clydesdale horses which arrived with the Northumberland died as soon as the vessel reached the pier. It was valued at a thousand pounds. Some new buildings are to be executed in Lonsdale-street, to be called Covent Garden Buildings. The foundation stone was laid last week by Mr. W. G. Clark, in the presence of a large concourse of spectators. The Governor received a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that the Prince of Wales would be unable to be present at the opening of the Exhibition, but hoped tj visit Australia shortly. There is very little, if any, improvement in trade, and probably it will be some time before it is placed ou a satisfactory footing. All the places of amusement are doing well, especially the Opera company. Port Augusta Lake, in the far north, is being rushed rapidly forward. Reports speak well of young crops since the recent rains in South Australia. The Treasurer of Tasmania has delivered his Financial Statement, and proposes to make good a deficiency. The Government intend to impose an Income Tax. The latter will likely be resisted by the Council.