AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2164, 24 February 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Bv Telkgkai’H.j [Per Wakatipu at Wellington.] The s.s. Wakatipu arrived from Sydney at 10 o’clock this morning. She left there on Eeb. 18; encountered a heavy S.E. gale on the 20th ; no damage done ; thence fine weather.

HEW SOUTH WALES. Buchanan’s motion—“ That the fact of Stephen, Lieut-General being a member of the Legislative Council is inconsistent with the spirit of the constitution,” was opposed by Parkcs, and negatived by 35 to 4. His motion — “ That the prerogative of mercy in future be exercised by the Governor, with the Executive Council, and not the Governor alone,” and censuring the Governor, relative to the commutation of Williams and Bennett, was lost, Buchanan alone voting “ aye.”

It is understood that the vital statistics about to be issued show an increase of population during the last year which is unprecedented, even during the early gold discoveries. The increase is nearly 40,000, making a total of close on threequarters of a million. During the empanelling of juries to try cases yesterday, the Crown prosecutor challenged the jurymen who acquitted Williams of rape on his own daughter. A company is forming at Kiana with iioOOO capital to condense milk. In reply to McElone Hoskings stated in the Assembly that Lumsdon, Inspector of Distilleries was receiving full pay during his suspension although Eaton at a full salary of £550 was doing his work. Lumsdon’s creditors arc likely to accept a composition of instalments from his salary. The creditors include some large spirit merchants. Constable Hayes who was injured by a mob of larrikins is in a critical condition. VICTORIA. At a lleforra League meeting at Dunolly on Eeb. 17, Berry and Grantt were present and a most disorderly row took place. There were several lights and the police were called in but were unable to restore order, and the meeting broke up in confusion.

McPherson of the Melbourne Jute Works, a protected industry, has called a meeting of his creditors. It is believed there is a surplus of £M,OOO.

The “ Beformer ” paper, with an issue of one hundred thousand, containing an adverse history of the Berry Government, has been published for dissemination broadcast thoughout thecountry. Larkins, publisher of the “ Firebrand,” appeared at the Central Court to show cause why the paper should not be destroyed as obscene. He denied that it was more objectionable than passages in Shakespeare, Winbourne, Byron, or the Bible. The beucl%uled it to be disgusting and obscene, aiitl ordered its destruction.

It is understood that the performance of Agapscmoue, a new burlesque on the Ministry, will be permitted. Action will only be taken it there is anything immoral or offensive in it. A constable was endeavoring to arrest a young man at Sandridge when the latter jumped and swam to a vessel some distance away and defied the police. Several constables went in a boat and arrested him after a severe struggle. QUEENSLAND. Wells, the (Jumanulla bushranger, has been sentenced to death for shooting at Murphy with intent to murder, without hope of mercy. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The “ Register ” complains that the Government are importing iron bridges from America instead of calling for local tenders. This, it states, is a violation of a resolution of the Assembly passed seven years ago. Some splendid flour ground with steel rollers, at Berlin, has been shown at Adelaide and much admired. [Per Tararua at the Bluff.] BLEEP, Feb. 23. VICTORIA. Mr Berry stated at Geelong that a plebiscite would not be applied for until an appeal to the country had taken place. When questioned as to this departure from the Government measure, Mr Berry stated he was thinking of the Bill of 1877, but pointed out that that Bill contained no provision for a dissolution first and a plebiscite [afterwards. Mr Service was received cordially at Maiden. He traversed Mr Berry’s Geelong address, and contented that the Premier does not even bind himself to the last proposals. He, (Mr Service) asserted, from his intercourse with the leaders of the Council, that his reform scheme would not be accepted [by the Upper House. Major Smith threatens another Black Wednesday if the Government get a good majority, and the opportunity occurs. Another satirical play, entitled “ Agapnunonc,” is to be produced at the Princess .Theatre. Mr Berry has warned Walton, the actor, not to produce the play, as he might cause the forfeiture of the license of the theatre. Walton replied that as the play was not yet finished Mr Berry could do nothing. The cartoons issued caricature Messrs Berry and Woods, and Sir Bricn O’Loghlin. NEW SOUTH WALES. F. R. Mort, a law clerk, committed suicide at Macdonald Town, bj r placing his head on the railway line. The train nearly severed it from his body. He did it because his employer’s son stated he was kept from charity. Efforts are being made to equip an expedition to the Mulligan to attempt to find the half-caste mentioned in Mr Skutherpe's recent letter, with a view of obtaining information of Leichardt’s party. Trickett has accepted a challenge from J. Punch, to row round Fort Dcniston and Goat Island, in twentysix minutes, Punch laying £2OO to £250.

The Assembly fixed the period for secular instruction in State schools at four hours a day, and religious instruction at one hour. The attendance of children is obligatory for a ; certain period each half year. Six threshing machines, sent to the. Sydney Exhibition tested, nearOrange. Several did excellent work, one. threshing 100 bushels in 40 minutes, ami and another 103 bushels in 47 minutes. Several steamers have been laid up at. Newcastle owing - to the collieries being' unable to load them, being in excess of the “ vend.” This step has caused s?, profound sensation. A strange, occurrence i,s reported from, Ooulhurn. A young man, Charles, Nohes, whilst engaged wallaby shooting,, called at a- house at Abercromliy, andl remained all night. Next morning opj going out he saw a hut, and asked who* lived there. Ho was told two lads shepherding. He walked up to, and then lired at the hut, and then reloaded his gnu. One lad came out and Nobes lired at him, and the ball lodged in bis body. Nobes then ran off. The ball has not been extracted. SOUTH AUSTRALIAThe Bishop of Adelaide has been appealed to to supress ritualistic practices. He replied that he cannot advise clergymen to desist when their names are not given. The Marine Board found that the wreck of the Lady Xinuaird was attributable to the neglect of the master. QUEENSLAND. The success of the Strathleveu meat experiment is inducing speculative purchases in cattle, It is reported an extensive butcher at Rockhampton has brought twelve thousand head of cattle in view of opening an export to England. Extraordinary yeilds are reported from Gympie mines. The North Glaumire Company crushed 100 tons of stone for 7860zs of gold; the South Lady Mary, 49 tons for IGOozs ; No. 1, North Glanraire, 170 tons for 3500z5. Six hundred men are at (he Woolgra diggins. The majority are shepherding claims. Little gold has been got, and nothing of importance has been discovered yet at the Sexton diggins. TASMANIA. The Assembly approved of the Treasurer’s proposal for £02,000 fresh taxation, including £25,000 from 9d in the £ on the assessed value of landed property; £IO,OOO from excise ou beer; £IO,OOO from increased Customs dutids; and £SOOO from 9d in the £ on dividents from companies Ac. The Assembly authorised the floating of a 4 per cent loan in London in ihe middle of the year partly to redeem the 0 per cent debentures and partly for public works. The amount of the loan is ,£450,000. The Council is likely to agree to fresh taxation. The session will probably close in a few days. The Assembly refuse to to allow Tasmania to be represented at the Melbourne Exhibition. Dissatisfaction at this is publicly expressed.