AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2212, 20 April 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Per Wakatipu at Wellington. The following is a summary of nows up to April 1J : NEW SOUTH WALES. CL B. Dibbs, the defendant in Shepherd v. Dibbs, has assigned Ids estate to trustees fur the bone lit of his creditors. For the recent extraordinary assault on a bailiff, killing his horse, and assaulting a landlady who sheltered him at Alburnia. James Carey was sentenced to seven years’ and Owen Carey to three years’ imprisonment. Mining alfairs at Newcastle were the subject of a monster meeting to-day. The result is unascertained. The Governor and Lady gave their first ball yesternight. The Exhibition begins to look very bare, consequent on tho closure of several courts, and the sales of exhibits from the others. VICTORIA. The foundation stone of St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral was laid yesterday by-the Governor. W. J. Clark gave £l.O JO, and Anuitagc and Payne, £-500 each. Mr Black, Inspector of Bailiffs, dismissed by the Berry Government, has been reinstated.

A deputation of exhibition commissioners represented to the Government that the gross expenses would bo £320,000, of which they expected to recoup £70,000. Mr Service said the Government felt bound to pull the committee through, and consented to (lie full amount asked. The cabinet has resolved to support Cooper's candidature for the Chairmanship of Committees against ('Jamison's. Patti was serenaded yesterday night. C'C LLNSI.AXD. At MackayPilot Langford wasdrowned by Ids boat capsizing. Two men have been arrested at Kilroy on a charge of doing serious injury to a black gin, by exploding a tin of gunpower in a hut, SOUTH ACSTKA LI A. £BOO has been raised towards the relief of the Silesian famine. A “Herald’s” speeial, dated London April Lilli says:—The Indian Government will contribute £IO,OOO towards Mdwards’ project for placing Indian teas on the Australian market. (Ter To A.nau at the Blnf)'.) BLUFF, Anai, 19. The To Anau left Melbourne at 9 p.m. on the l-.tlli and arrived at Hobart Town at 2.30 p.m. on the 15th. She left at 9.30 p.m. and experienced line weather till arrival here at 7 a.m. She brings the following summary of news: VICTORIA. Swan Island has been purchased by

the Government with a view to fortifi.ca ons.

Telegraphic signals have been exchanged between Melbourne and Singapore direct. The signals were perfect, and the replies instantaneous.

An Order in Council notifies that the Executive have established regulations regarding the importation of oats and the exportation of oatmeal similar to those under which drawbacks arc allowed on Hour, pollard, and bran. Oats intended to be converted into oatmeal for export may ha imported free of duty, a bond of £2OOO being required of importers as a guarantee. An inquiry into the cause of the fire at McCulloch's estate at Hay, resulted in a verdict against the manager, who was arrested on a charge of arson. The Hon. J. if, Thurston, Colonial Secretary of Fiji, visits Melbourne for the purpose of arranging with Messrs James McEwnn and Co., who are largo proprietors of land at Lcvuka, for the purchase of their property for building purposes at that place, where the seat of Government will shortly he removed to. NEW SOUTH WALES. The Burgomaster Middlchurg, from Java, with a cargo of sugar, was quarantined on arrival, six of the crew ilaving died on the voyage of Java fever. Four more arc sick. The racehorse Queenslander has been bought by Mr T. Jardyne for New Zealand. The price paid Was 200 guineas. QUEENSLAND. Donald Lang, the leader of a private prospecting party, has arrived at Cooktown, and reports having prospected the Gulf Watershed, He found a splendid auriferous country near the Iliver Sefton. Good prospects were obtained, and it is expected other parties will proceed there shortly to prospect. Mr Jack, Government Geologist, and party, arrived at Somerset, and report having made no discovery of auriferous country, as a desert of sandstone, mentioned in their last report, covered the country the whole distance. The party were attacked by blacks on March 8, when near Cape Granville, but they succeeded in dispersing them. During a second attack at night, however, Mr Jack was speared through the right side of the neck, and courageously cut the spear out immediately. They expected the camp to be rushed, but the blacks retired owing to the warmth of their reception. Mr Jack’s wound is now almost healed, nevertheless he hud a narrow escape. The mission steamer Ellengowan arrived at Thursday Island on April 4. The Rev. Mr Chalmers reports having visited the mission stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria, and Torres Straits, when all were well. Captain llodeich, naturalist and explorer, fell overboard from the Ellengowan the day after leaving Port Moresby, and was drowned.