AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2132, 22 January 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Phu Ai.uiox at Auckland.] NEW SOUTH WALES. The stamp duties were considered and carried. The tariff resolutions show increased duties on spirits imported, and also on those distilled in the colony, and on sparkling and other imported wines. The most destructive bush fires ever experienced raged on the night of the 13th around Newcastle. The project for a Syndey meat preserving company failed, and it Avas decided to break it up. Subscriptions towards the Irish Relief Fund are pouring in from the country towns. The Bank of New South Wales contributed £SOO. A practical discovery, rendering bank notes non-photographie, has been discovered by a Sydney chemist. It is stated the leading banks are in treaty for the purchase of the patent. Numerous meetings of Protectionists have been . held to protest against the fiscal policy of the Government. Mr Burton, circus proprietor, is insolvent. His liabilities, in stock and over his hotel, amount to £5024, and his his assets to to £4854. A Maori troupe is performing at Wagga Wagg to fair houses. VICTORIA. Several Primitive Methodist ministers

have seceded from the church, and call themselves Independent Methodists, through a dispute having arisen between certain parties as to the division of the Church Building Fund. Captain Pearce will proceed to Europe by the Kent to enable a panorama of Victoria, with descriptive lectures, with a view of encouraging immigration. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The Postmaster-General has received information that the steamer Seine has arrived at Banjoewangi with a section of the duplicate cable to be laid between that place and Port Darwin. The Irish Relief Committee have received £2158 additional subscriptions. QUEENSLAND. Miss Potts, while bathing in the stream at Rockhampton Park, was carried out a long distance by a wave. Miss Heys, who was with her, boldly swam out, and after great exertion, rescued her while in an insensible state. Natural respiration was restored in half an hour. Miss Hayes, who is a splendid swimmer, behaved nobly.