AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5660, 21 May 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(I’ER ROTORUA AT THE BLUFF.) Melbourne, May 13. The Governor paid an official visit to Geelong, when he met with a cordial reception. At a banquet in the evening he made a speech in a happy strain, expressing himself hopefully as to the political future. Sir Charles Sladen on the same occasion in referring to the political situation said there should not be any great difficulty in adjusting their little differences. He hoped that in a spirit of moderation, wisdom, and loyalty they would soon be able to solve the great problem they had been bo long troubled about in a manner which would redound to the credit of the colony. In this colony particularly disputes often led to difficulties, but where there was a good feeling these difputes soon disappeared, and after quiet and reflection perhaps they would be able to approach the subject in a better frame of mind. He would say on the part of the Council that no effort would be wanting to secure, this result. Other members of the Council expressed similar views.

The election for the Central Province resulted in the unopposed return of Mr. James Lorimer, a well known merchant. At a meeting of Opposition 'members recently held it was resolved to support what is known as the Service programme of reform, by which it is intended to compromise so as to bring about finality in legislation. Under this programme something like the Norwegian scheme is proposed to be adopted. There is a likelihood of an important election for the Assembly, as Mr. E. O. Zox, one of the members for East Melbourne, has called a meeting of the creditors of his firm for to-day, Already Mr. Edward Langton and Mr. Geo. Ooppin are announced as in the field. The latter will probably be elected, as Mr. Langton is unpopular. Telegrams have been received, both official and private, as to the result of Mr. Berry's mission to Loudon, and of course they differ. We have therefore only to wait until official despatches are published. Meantime the opinions of several London papers received are by no means favorable to Mr. Berry’s demands, the Pall Mall Gazette and the Morning Advertiser being especially severe. The latter in reviewing the proceedings of Mr, Berry’s Cabinet condemns their policy of bribery and shameless abuse of patronage. Before leaving London Mr. Berry signed the cable contract, and one portion of the duplicate. cable is now being shipped, while another portion leaves in the Scotia in a fortnight’s time. The reduced rate for Press messages comes into operation from the 9th instant. . The Minister of Education has been very ill. He is now recovering. An attempt has been made to put the Hon. Mr. Clarke into the City Council, with a view to his election as Mayor during the Exhibition year ; but Mr. Clarke finds the duties of President of the Commission quite sufficient. The Exhibition Buildings are progressing favorably. They are costing a large sum of money ; ,it is estimated, already to amount to £13,000,' while it is proposed to expend £IO,OOO in enclosing the ground with iron railings. The brickwork of the main building will probably be out of hand,in about ten weeks. Everything connected with the undertaking is being carried out in a most expensive manner. The space proposed to be covered is equal ,to that of the first Exhibition in Hyde Park.

The Hon. W. M. K. Yale, who was formerly a Minister in Victoria, but has been some time in England qualifying for ‘the bar, has just addressed a meeting at Coilingwood. He said the Embassy was a mistake, and propounded a scheme of his own for the settlement of the deadlock, which was something akin to the Service scheme. •' Notwithstanding his recent residence in England he announces himself as thorough a Protectionist as ever. There have been several failures of importance, including that of Messrs. Solberg and Son, clothing manufactures, with liabilities of £31,469, and assets £34,119 ; Joseph Aarons, proprietor of the Academy of Music and of the Victoria Arcade, liabilities £69,619, assets £93,360 (this estate is said to show well for the creditors) ; and Messrs. Myers and Zox, warehousemen, with liabilities of £140,000. The Provincial and Suburban Bank, a small institution with-a limited rate of circulation, suspended payment yesterday, and as yet there has been no statement of affairs. The difficulties are owing to the commercial depression and inability to obtain money due to the bank. In this case the .creditors will be. paid in full. Aarons was connected with this bank, and his failure was one cause of the stoppage.; The Provincial Bank was not a member of the clearing house. Another English cricketing Eleven, composed entirely of professionals, in to visit Australia during the period -of the Melbourne Exhibition. ' Mr: Boyle,!- of the Australian Eleven, has the management of the affairs. The great- ckse' of Young v.‘ the Ballarat Water Commission has lasted thirty-four days in taking evidence alone, and is not yet finished. Counsels’ addresses are now proceeding.

Edward Monk, of Wombat, who received several threatening letters, is now before a court hf:’inquiry, as doubtshave been thrown upon his statements. The whole affair is now being thoroughly sifted.

: A rathor extraordinary case of imposture was lately-discovered. - ,A ; young lad giving the name of Alfred, Pearce told several persona a piteous tale of want and privation, saying he was , a recent arrival. His / case: excited great sympathy, and donations of money were given and,,employment .provided, when: it was discovered that Pearce was not his name, and that he was a Jewish lad, who had been in the colony some years, and • had performed similar, tricks before. He has been sent to gaol for a year as, a vagrant, ... "There Are occasional rumors concerning the Kelly gang, but they usually prove to be scares. The latest, report comes from the direction of Dandenong, where, four mounted men appeared in the ranges and demanded food from some settlers. A host of police are now out in search. , ,;

The weather has been cold, with intervals of rain, which extended over the whole ’ country. The rainfall has been sufficiently copious.,,to fill the water-holes, and give much benefit. . The various places of amusement, notwithstanding the commercial depression,; continue well patronised, but it is doubtful whether any but the Opera Company' are' making any money. , . " ’ The Arawata arrived early this morning, after a fine passage.