AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 718, 29 July 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Rinrarooma.) Melbourne, July 24. There was quite a busy time in the Assembly last week. tylr. Berry, iq a long apeecb, introduced the Reforo* Bill, which is to deprive the Ooujaoil of all control over money bills they cannot reject or amend, fhe only other speakei 011 the subject w»as. Mr. Service, who said it was simply a Bill for decapitating tlnj Legislative Council. The second reading is fixed for Tuesday next; but although it may pass the Assembly, even Mr, Berry himself, has no hope that it will pass the Council. When the resolution to purchase the Hobson's Bay Railway came before the House, a number of memberg of the House opposed it, and commenced the " Stonewall " tactics to delay the discussion, and succeeded for one evening, so that Mr. Berry was actually hoist with liis own petard. Sir Charles Sladen yesterday introduced his Reform Bill in the Council, hut it has just as much chanee of passing -he Assembly as the Government mensun -as of passive the Council ; probabh some concessions will be made on both sides. It has transpired that the Government Loan Bill will he foi' eight million sterling but it is only proposed to float about foui millions at iirst, owing to unwillingness of the ta reoeive a larger sum on leposit. Between four and live million." •>viil be devoted to railway construction, and the remainder for the purchase of tilt '■Tobson Bay railway and public works. Considerable interest lias been excited by the finding of gold in the Magdafo Vfine at a depth'of nearly 2000 foot. Generally speaking mining prospects havi mpi-'ived. and larger »mi.muts are avaiiible for d'.vid-'iuis.

Molesworfch still keeps Dr. Bradford iu gaol, and in the settlement .vbich lie ordered the money is tit":! u| and placed beyond the control of Dr. Brad ford. The Australian Colonisation Society ire anxious that Sew Guinea should In inncx.;.d to Yior.orin, and are not satisfied .vith.vvhat Sir Arthur Gordon told them. On Monday they waited on the Cliiif Secretary, hut obtained little satisfaction. He snubbed the deputation for endeavoring to usurp the functions of the Government and Parliament.

Here, aa in Sydney, a movement has been initiated for the presentation of an iddress to Lord Beaconsfield on the Successful result of his labors at the Congress. In tiit: Stevenson prosecution for conspiracy, the defendants refused to enter into recognisances, and the AttorneyGeneral applied ta the Supreme Court for ;i warrant f«>r their arrest, which the Chief Justice refused, saying there was no suggestion tiiat they are about to abscond. Nothing has yet been done in reference to the appointment, of a fifth Judge, but it is thought that when the time arrives either Mr. O'Donoghue or Mr. Casey will be appoint® Mr. J. Clarke comes forward as a candidate for a seat in the legislative Council. It is thought he will be returned unopposed. Professor Hearn is also a candidate for a seat for the Central Province. o . Business is dull. It has betn determined to hold an International Exhibition in Sydney, and tfte necossary preparations are being pushed forward,..The French barque Success, from Japan to Melboiirna, unladen, was wrecked on thy north-east Australian coast.. Four of .her hands, were.frowned. The itt number, Wei el picked up in|an open boat.