VICTORIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 281, 13 November 1862, Page 6

VICTORIA.

(FROM OUR OWS COttRESi>Oif»BNT.)

Owing to the departure of the City of Hobart following so close after th a of the AMinga, what news I have to report will necessarily be brief.

When my last letter was despatched, the Intercolonial Kifle Match Was being decided. The contest was finished on the same day (Monday), and the Sydney riflemen have managed for this year at least to secure the golden shield, beating their opponents by sixty-four points, out of nearly 1,500 ; so it will be seen the affair was pretty closely contested. Fortune or luck seems to have deserted us; Sydney has beaten us all hollow, at racing, again have we come off but second best in the'shooting match, and it needs but a defeat in the approaching Inter-colonial Cricket Match to make a thorough rout; however it will have the effect of rousing our men from the apathy and complacency into which their previous victories has allowed thorn to fall, and by stimulating them to renewed exertion, and more active efforts, will it is prebable, enable them to recover some of the laurels that are now passing away from them.

On the same day, a serious accident occurred on the Melbourne and Mount Alexander Railway, just opened. It fortunately was attended with no loss of life, though the escape of the'firemen was little short of miraculous. It appears that a contractor at work on a portion of the- line near Chew ton, carelessly left three waggons on the line. * The up-train from Meloourne as usual, proceeded on its course, and owing to a curve on the line, by which the engine-driver was prevented from seeing the obstruction till too late—the train dashed into the trucks, crushing them into splinters, and throwing itself of!" the line by the force of the concussion. Considerable damage was done to the engine, and the waggons, as may be gathered, are altogether irreparable. Several yards of the permanent way were torn up, and the scene of the accident was strewed with the debris of the carriages, &c. The passengers were considerably alarmed, but, beyond a few bruises, none of them were seriously hurt. Great praise is due to the firemen of the engine for the plucky way in which they stuck to her, for otherwise the accident would have resulted in the most disastrous manner. It is to be hoped iheir bravery will meet with tho reward it deserve. 1;. The man through whose negligence the accident happened has been taken into custody but since liberated on bail.

The city elections complete the chronicle of events on Monday. I mentioned previously the interest they were exciting, and the numerous candidates that were in the field. However, the whole of the retiring councillors—with the exception of Mr Caple, a well-known ex-bookseller —wero re-elected. The elections in all the wards were closely contested ; in one ward—Gipps—a majority of nine only being obtained by Mr Jones over his opponent, Mr Donovan. Should the present fine weather continue, the 10th of November will be a great time fur holiday makers. The Mayor has issued a proclamation, making it a general holiday, and the Bui ks and other Public Offices will be closed on that day. Special trains and steamers will run—Cremorne Gardens will open at night, and what with river, road, rail, and country, pleasure seekers ought to be able to enjoy their fill on tli.it day. A movement has been on foot for some time for presenting Mr Landsborough, the explorer, ■with some token of appreciation of the services lie lias rendered to geographical science. Over L-100 have been subscribed, and it is intended to expend them in the purchase of a handsome silver dinner and tea service. The presentation will take place in the course of a few days at the new Music Hall, lale'y erected by Mr Ambrose Kyle, in Bourkcstreet, the unknown giver of the thousand ponnds, &c. Sir 11. Bnrkly will preside, and many our influential citizens will be present on the occasion.

The case of the man IJ.irniti. who was charged a few days ngo at the Police Court with having sent a threatening letter to the Hon. W. Highett, was concluded hist night at the sessions. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to three years on the roads. In summing up the case, the judge animadverted in strong terms upon the: conduct of Mr Attcnborough, the solicitor, and Mr Perry, and characterized their behaviour as being nearly as bad as that of the prisoner. Barrati defended himself with some ingenuity, and there seemed to be an impression in the court, that he was sinned against as well as sinning. The Civil Court is occupied by a case brought by the Essendon Railway Company against the Government. The Essendon Company have no station of their own, and, by an agreement with the Government, have the use of the Spencerstreet Station, together with the necessary engines and rolling stock. Some little time ago the Government refused to lend them the locomotives, and for a time the company was put to great inconvenience, though the traffic was not Suspended. All the money taken at the station for the traffic on this line for some time past, amounting to about L:>, 000, has been received by the Government, who refuse to refund it; and to recover this sum the action has been brought. The Government plead an set oil for expenses of station, lines, &c.

The Ilaymarket Theatre has secured another star, and in the course of a few nights Mr Charles Dillon, the well known actor, will make his first bow to a Melbourne audience. Mr Falconer's drama of Peep o' Day has been having a great run here, and its thrilling scenes and love and murder incidents have attracted large audiences. The last scene at the Lyceum Theatre has been played out, and all the fittings and stage properties have come uuder the auctioneer's hammer. The Marsh troupe recently performing at it have gone to Sydney. The Opera season still continues, and Mr Lyster seems to be having a very liberal patronage. At present " Figaro " is being enacted, but owing to the absence (through indisposition) of Madame Lucy Escott, the principal performer, much of the music has to be omitted, and the performance is consequently rather tame.

Through the arrival of the Prince Carl, from Port Louis, Mauritius, later American and English news has been, received.... The news she brings is important, and makes us look out anxiously for the English mail, clue on the 10th ; as the " coining events " are \ regnant with interest. The Prince Carl's dates are to the 29th September.

General Pope has been defeated by General Jackson, who is marching on Washington ; so that the fall of that important place may b& hourly anticipated.

Poor Garibaldi's defeat and capture are confirmed. His trial was to take place in a few days. Naples and Sicily are still maintained in a state of siege. The news from England is unimportant. Parliament meets to morrow, and it is asserted the Opposition have already decided on their line of action. Most probably Mr Heales or Mr Brooke will be the leader on the occasion of the opening lire that i 3 intended to dislodge the present occupants of the coveted benches. Ah amendment on the address is to he moved, unless a better line of tactics may be resolved upon in the next four and twenty hours. This amendment will try the respective strength of the Opposition, hut I am afraid will do no more ; for there does not appear as yet any sufficient grounds to cause dissatisfaction amongst Ministerial supporters, nor any charge which can be properly laid at the door of.MinistefsT The'only grave "charge that could he made is, that the present Land Bill is alienating the hest lands* to large settlers at a price below their market value, and that so far from its encouraging population, it* is driving people away to other colonies. But this charge"' cannot be laid at the door of Mr Duffy and his colleagues by the members of the Opposition, for they assisted in passing the bill, and not only so, but'were mainly instrumental in passing the very clauses that now are, the greatest boon to the "' squatters arid their ifrierioV ■ The charges then will require to be ofa more vague character. .The" abuse of the- mismanagement of the railways, the desire to' thwart the Coniinon §phoss' nS&!JV and their not carrying this 'ncf ' the Real . Act ; out m its integrity, their " financial 'blnridersi" and a; few other general charges of this nature, which every member of the opposition can declaim upon, and which it would be very difficult to disprove—

a kind of French trial, in fact, make them guilty, and, if they .don't, prove their; innocence, condemn them. The next steamer will bring you an amount of information upon these topics that will be interesting to Victorians and to your colonists generally. .' ■ ■ ; ;.". '/■

The Rodney election resulted in the return of Mr John M'Gregor by a majority of 124, a majority which he obtained at Ileathcote, and which the polling at other places failed to materially affect. The feeling throughout the district of Rodney on behalf-of the present Government is shown in this election—that but for Heathcote it would hare been almost a tie between the two candidates, Ray—dividing the honors of the othe* four-polling-places by having majorities in two of them. . :, .

Some very unfavorable report has been made against the railway depa.tment, in allowing Messrs Reynolds and Euglish to run a goods train to Sandhurst,--at an evident profit to them before the line was actually open to the public, thereby obtaining an advantage -over the rest of the community to the extent of two pounds a ton. Mr Mitchell gives as a reason that Reynolds and English wanted some trucks to bring wool down, and he thought the trucks might as well go up full as empty.