AUSTRALIAN.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1267, 5 February 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

(BY CABLE,—REUTER’S TELEGRAMS). M ELBOURNE, Saturday. A meeting of members of the Constitutional party was held yesterday, and twenty were present. Various speakers strongly condemned the action of the Government in obtaining a dissolution. It was finally resolved, some of those present dissenting, to entirely sever their connection with the Government, and make no change in the Conservative programme. Mr Francis, it is stated, offers to retire from the leadership of the party, and it is understood that he only retains his position until after the general election, when Mr Service will resume the leadership. No mention is made of a coalition with the Berry party. A vessel supposed to be the ship Kerengaria, 1310 tons, bound from Bendon to this port, is ashore off Barwon Heads. A lifeboat has gone to her assistance. Parliament to-day was formally dissolved by proclamation. Mr Service is announced as a candidate j for Castleniaine. i It is definitely known that the vessel ashore at Bar won Heads, is the ship Berengiria, from London. Shejies on a sandy bottom, and tugs are now attempting to get her off. She is expected to be floated without much injury. The pasengers and crew were all landed safely. Feb. 4. The efforts which have been made to float the ship Berengaria as yet have been unsuccessful. The position of the vessel is unchanged. This day. All attempts to float the ship Berengaria at Barwon Heads has as yet proved unsuccessful. Three nuudred tons of cargo had been lightered, and a quantity thrown overboard. 01 the latter several cases of brandy chemicals, and furniture floated ashore, and fell into the possession of pillagers, who looted the spirits. A scandalous scene, amounting to a wild orgio, ensued, and lasted for several hours. The police were powerless to interfere. In a cricket match commenced here on Saturday between the South Melbourne and the St. Kilda Clubs the former scored 528 with only six wickets flown. Slight made 289 and Ross 192. BRISBANE, Fob. 1. The cricket match between the Hon. Ivo Bligh’s team and Eighteen of Brisbane was concluded to-day and resulted in a victory for the Englishmen by an innings and 154 runs. SYDNEY, Feb. 3. A great fire occurred in Bourke-street, resulting in the total destruction of six buildings, including the branch of the London Chartered Bank, the Australian Municipal Chambers, and Kirkpatrick’s store. The loss is estimated at £30,000. Feb. 5. Arrived—VVakatipu, last evening. Fifteen inches of rain has fallen in Sydney since the beginning of the year. The necesssry preparations for raising the Austral are now nearly completed, and it is expected that she will be floated this month.