AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 424, 6 September 1877, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

. v [PM. r TAukiarA, ; 'iT r THE Bluff. ] . . -: Melbotjkise, August; 29. The Council-has been engaged during the week taking evidence on the Railway Construction. Bill. The Assembly has passed the Land Tax resolutions ..without division, and they have been embodied in a Bill. . Some progress has been made with the: Mining on Private Property Bill. Dr.iMtCartney has'been re-elected for South'Gippsland," by a majority of 94 over Mason, ;; 'Protests are raised against the proposed import duty of 9d. per head .011 sheep, as calculated amongst other things to ruin the meat preserving interest. There are no more eases of smallpox. The' passengers per the Macduff are still in quarantine. 'At the sale of stud sheep, the average for terms was L 94 17s. The highest price paid was 270 guineas, but owing to the drought the condition of the sheep was not so good this year. - A fall of earth at the All Nations Mine, - Ballarat, killed two men and injured a third. The weather is very dry, only a little rain having fallen, mostly near the coast. The continued drought is very disastrous. The Mayor's fancy dress ball last night was a brilliant affair. There were 1600 visitors. The Governor was present.