DIRECT AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1224, 19 March 1880, Page 2

DIRECT AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(reuter/s telegram per press association.) Melbourne, March 18. Mr. David Syrne, proprietor of the Melbourne Age, hag instituted an action against the proprietors of the Melbourne Punch for libel. Damages are laid at LSOOO. Arrived—Rotorua, from". New Zealand; Durham, from Plymouth (26th J anuaiy. A meeting has been held hei'e, at •which it was resolved to form a company for the purpose of the exportation of eveiy description of food under the freezing process. An influential Committee has been formed. A telegram has been received from Mauritius dated 9th March, which states that suitable sugars are scarce. The Hon. P. T. Sargood, M.L.C., who is visiting England, will represent Victoria on the Colonial Defence Commission, and will further act as a member of the Board of Agents-General to further the interests of "Victoria in London.

It is stated here that the Mew Zealand Railway Commission is desirous of securing the services qf IVfo TJ}QBia§ Higinbotham, former Engineer-in-Ohief for Railways in Victoria. It is further stated that Mr. Higinbotham has been communicated with by the New Zealand Government. The Government contemplate making an important reduction in the expenses of collecting the Land Tax. Sydnky, March 18. The steamer Chandernagore has arrived here, after landing a colonising party at New Ireland. It is understood that two steamers, with 1000 adventurers, will follow shortly from Rome and Barcelona. . The original prospectus of the expedition states that it is intended to appropriate Northwestern Australia: The following further Exhibition: awards are announced : Biscuit? Griffiths (Wellington), Grant Fulton (Dunedin), all second prizes. Confectionery—Griffiths ("Wellington), first; Walters (Auckland), second. Chicory—Trent Bros. (Christchurch), first. Groats—M'Gill (Otago), first. (Sailed - Walfatipu, x yesterday, for Wellington.