AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5732, 13 August 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(PEE TAEAEUA AT THE BLUFF.) Melbodbne, August 5.

The Budget debate in the Assembly was commenced by Mr. Service, who said little in opposition to the new duties ; but showed that the Government since being in office had fallen behind £350,000, and also that the Civil Service was more overmanned now than at any other period of our history.

The new tariff is not meetingmuch favor out of doors. The farmers particularly are opposing it, and it is said that it is not likely to pass. Two Ministerial supporters have important notices on the paper affecting the policy of the Government. One is to refer the Reform Bill to a select committee composed of members of both sides of the House ; the other is that in lieu of the duties proposed the duties should be increased on spirits and tobacco, and that a stamp tax should be imposed. The unemployed are far from being provided for, and no doubt much distress exists. The Ladies’ Benevolent Society relieved not fewer than 700 families, numbering over 1000 individuals, during the last fortnight. Public subscriptions continue to come in pretty freely. On Saturday a charity football match realised £lO2 net, and a charity concert at the Town Hall £278.

The Anglican Bishop of Melbourne is a supporter of the canal scheme, which has been so long before the public. On Friday night he spoke on the subject at a public meeting, and he urged the rotation of crops in farming. He offered some very practical suggestions for improving the farming land of the selectors.

It has been stated in Parliament that the pursuit of the Kelly gang cost the colony £20,000 for additional protection. The amended statistics which have been issued by the Registrar-General’s Department shows that' the yield of wheat was underestimated in the previous return by 345,272 bushels, and that of oats by 195,496 bushels. Good progress Is being made with the new Exhibition Building, but doubts of its success are entertained if the new protectionist tariff comes into operation. Le Loup still occupies the foremost place in the Cup betting, but there is very little doing. At a meeting of the Victoria Racing Club yesterday, a motion was carried to warn off the course all persons who are declared defaulters at Tattersall's. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts of the last Spring Meeting amounted to over £19,000, and the net profit was over £7OOO. Very great improvement has been made on the course.

Since the tariff was introduced business has been very dull. There is very little abatement in the average attendance at places of amusement. All continue to be well attended.

The Rev. S. C. Kent has resigned the charge of the Victoria Parade Congregational Church on personal grounds. The Roman Catholics are fairly up in arms, and meetings are being held all over the colony. Resolutions have been passed to support two candidates at the elections who will not pledge themselves to support the Catholic cause in regard to the education grants. Much rain is still wanted in the country, as the weather has been too fine.