AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 416, 28 August 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Ringarooma, at the J Melbourne, August 22. The Treasury Budget shows the estimated revenue for the current year to be L 4,476,880, allowing for remissions of Customs; expenditure, L 4,800,000; showing a deficiency of L 383,000, which will be made lip as follows :—Audit balance from last year, L 205,679 ; land tax, L 200,000 ; live stock tax, LSOOO ; leaving a balance to be carried forward of L 46,066. New duties are to be imposed, to the extent of L 15,000, and increased duties to LIS,OOO. But, on the other hand, the remissions are LBG,OOO ; breadstuffs are untouched, but dried fruits and stores are freed. Bags and woolsacks are now taken, and an increase made on chil- 4 dren's boots, earthenware, doors, and matches. The principal objection to the scheme is in the land tax, and to the live stock tax, on horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs, -whether coming by land or sea. The defence requirements are to bo paid out of the ordinary expenditure, which contains several heavy items. A return read by the Treasurer during his budget speech shows that during the seven months of the present year 991,000 acres of land have been applied for, being an average of 125,000 a month, as against 30,000 last year. The settlers are described as of the right class. The prospecting vote last year amounted to L 4698, and the gold received was 4ozs. 25dwts. lGgrs., or over LIOOO per ounce. The prospecting vote has now been discontinued. Something like a palatial building is to be erected in Carlton Gardens for tho purpose of an International Exhibition. It is to be of a permanent character, and when completed will cost about LIOO,OOO. No fresh cases of small pox have oc-cu'-red, and all are doing well. The drought still continues. Wagner's "Lohengrin" was produced—for the iirst time in the Colonies —by Lyster's Opera Company. It was a brilliant success. The West Australian telegraph line is now opened within IGO miles, and a horse express is being run. Large iron works, for working up Tasmanian iron into pipes, are about to be constructed in Melbourne. A testimonial and purse of 300 guineas have been presented to Mr. .Julian Thomas, known in literary circles as "The Vagabond." He is proceeding to

Sydney. John O'Neal, who kiHocl his mother at Footscray, has beeiv acquitted on the ground of insanity ; and Rachael an*' Mary Willis, mother and daughter, have also been acquitted of the charge of child murder, the facts not being sullieiently

proved. Business is slightly improved. There is a good demand for oa's, but breadstufls are lather dull. The weather continues very dry, and the most disastrous results are anticipated from the drought, unless there is some speedy change in the

weather. The schooner Eleanor Johnstone was caunht in a squall on tin; coast the other day, and tumbled right over. The cre»v managed to escape witli their lives. The political deadlock continues in Adelaide.

A new Ministry has been formed in Tasmania, with Mr. Fysli as Premier.