MELBOURNE EXTRACTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 312, 19 December 1862, Page 5

MELBOURNE EXTRACTS.

Scene in the House.— It is seldom that there is a scene so violent and prolonged as that which took place in the Assembly last evening. It arose out of the motion of Mr Mollison for copies of all correspondence having reference to the Governors Salary Reduction Bill, the hon member stating in the course of his remarks, that he wished the correspondence to be supplied in order that they might be relieved of the injurious insinuations thrown out in the Duke of Newcastle's despatch, which affected the character of the Parliament and the country in their loyalty^ to her Majesty's Government. Mr Frnzer complained that the motion would include a private despatch of the Governor's of ,7th May. by which he sent home his resignation, and which they had no right to ask for. The hon. member iv a rather telling speech, criticised the conduct of the Government, especially that of the Chief Secretary, and said that, the motion was a Government one, simply for the purpose of justifying the conduct of the hon member for Kilmore, who had been guilty of the impropriety of laying the minute in reference to the despatch of the Duke of Newcastle on the table without the Governor's despatch. Mr O'Shanassy, in reply, described Mr Erasers speech as a violent tirade, for which he was instantly called to order by the Speaker. Mr O'Shanassy did not retract the expression, but complained that the hon member for Creswick had been allowed to proceed with an offensive speech for some time without the smallest correction from the chair. This insinuation was at once repudiated by the Speaker, who called upon the House to support him, which it did most uninistakeably, and after a scene which almost baffles description, but of which a full report anpears in another column, the Chief Secretary apologised to the Speaker. Further discussion ensued, and the motion was agreed to conditionally on its oniy relating to the official correspondence. The House was engaged on the estimates for the rest of the evening. — A tie, Dec 11th.

" We " {Dallarat Star) « had shown to us a day or two since a specimen of malachite with copper, said to be from a large out-cropping lode of the same ore discovered at a considerable distance from Ballarat. The discoverers are procuring an analysis of the ore, preparatory to further action in the matter. If the descriDtion of the ore we are given be mineralogically correct, and the lode be as extensive as has been reported to us, there is no doubt that the discovery will be a highly valuable one." Mount Gamhier Tobacco.—lt will be a proud day for Mount Gam bier, when every smoker amongst us can say that he is a friend of native industry, a'lid and that he is puffing away the natural product of the land he lives in. A farmer, Mr Christy, has two acres under tobacco ; the plants at present look healthy, and the enterprising cultivator is sanguine of success in demonstrating that the Mount may yet rival Virginia in the growth of genuine tobacco.— Border Post, Dee. 0.

Accident from: Lightning at Castlehainr. —During the heavy thunderstorm of yesterday afternoon, considerate damage was done by the lightning in various directions; fences were torn, trees struck, and many animals much terrified. A fine horse, feeding in the stable attached to the Albion Hotel, Chewton, wa? found dead, with a mark down it forehead as if burnt. A fine Newfoundland dog, in the same place, was also killed by the same stroke, and a Frenchman and his wife, who were standing near, were struck down. The man was deaf and speechless, in which state he remained for some time. He has, however, recovered his speech, but his hearing is as yet very defective, and he complains of considerable pai'i over his body. The dog's chnin is supposed to have attracted and conducted the lightning.- -Daily News, December 9. Effects op thk Lightning.—During the storm on Monday afternoon, a large tree, situated a few yards from Palmer's Star Hotel. Milkmaid.'s Flat, was struck by the lighting, which had the effect of completely uprooting it, and, turning it quite over. It was deposited on the ground much like—so our informant stated—a huge umbrella inverted. The ground near the tree was torn up and pitched to a great distance. Some miners were at work close by, but luckily escaped unhurt, although they were all tolerably well scared by the fragments of the tree flying nround them.— Bendiyo Advertiser, Dec mW 10.

Bur'kd i> T a Drive. —A telegram was received yestuitiay by Dr l.aidman, the district coroner, from Mr Inspector Barclay, that four men had been buried in a drive at the Amphiteatre, on Monday. Two boJies were found, those of men named Piper and Pettigrove, a third man was dug out unhurt, whilst the body of the fourth had not been discovered when the dispatch left. The two bodies were at Bird's Hotel, and the inquest will be held this day. -J/. and D. Advertiser, Dec. 10.