AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 813, 20 November 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

i-KU KfNCAKUOMA, AT TIIK lU.l'Fl

Mki.iioi'N'K, November 13.

The proposed mission to England has been the principal topic during the past week. It has long been talked about, but last week the Chief Secretary brought down a vote of i.oOOO 011 the supplementary estimates for the expense of commissioners. The names of the three gentlemen are not yet otiieially mentioned, but it is supposed they will be Mr. Berry. Professor Pearson, anil SirCavan Dliii'v (Speaker) : but in the Assembly Sir (I. Daily contradicted the statement, saying he would not accept any ollicc so long as he was speaker. A great deal of interest is taken in the question throughout the country. Many members in addressing their constituents took the ground that no embassy should proceed to Kngland until an appeal had been made to the people. The Reform League, however, decided in favor of the mission, one of their arguments being that while squatting and monetary interests are reprosecuted ill London the Liberal party of the colony was not. Ministers continue to push 011 the vote, and so far have expressed their determination to tro to Downing-strcet. not witli the Reform Bill (which lias passed the Assembly by a large majority), but to ask the Secretary of State to step in and grant such aid as will prevent dead-lurks occurring, and secure iinaiity 111 the Legislature. A letter from Sir ('has. M'Mahon, read in the Mouse, .showed that he was oH'oivd the Agent-( leneralship by Mr. Francis, then Premier, but he declared he could not accept the position while acting as Speaker, and h<» declined to make the chair a stepping-stone to oliiee.

At the. Mayor's inaugural dinner on Saturday night, the Covcruor made a. t'aivwi 11 speech, saying lie would not leave an enemy behind h int. The (lovornment want to bring the session to a elose in the course of a few days. .Probably the prorogation will take place next week. The bushrangers are still at large, although numerous police parties have been out. Not a trace or' a gang ha-- been se.-n. Some ludicrous incidents have occurred in connection with this ailair. The police parties are all dressed as bushmcn, and have fired into each other, and wherever seen they have been reported as Kelly's gang. The men are all disguised as much as possible, and are all armed with rifles and mounted.

The race meeting which has just closed has been the most successful ever held in Melbourne as regards the attendance and the financial results. Close upon 43,000 peojile were conveyed by rail to the course on the Cup I •ay. The settling has been against bookmakers, as Cahimia was largely backed when the weights were first issued, and so litany favorites won during the meeting. The doubles Lord Harvey and Loneiiand came of!' and proved very disastrous. It is said that not less than L 100,000 will change hands over the mooting,