AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2295, 26 July 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Eotomahana at Pin If.l [J3v Tklkokaph.j VICTORIA. July 22. The general election tood place on the day oi: the departure of last mail. The result has been a great surprise to the Ministerial party, who coniidently expected a small majority, and apparently were unaware that the Catholics would give an almost solid vote against them. There is little doubt that this largely contributed to the result. Everything passed oil; nuietly, notwithstanding the intense excitement. As the election returns arrived during the evening, from eight o’clock till midnight, vast crowds thronged Collins street, principally opposite the newspaper olliccs where tire returns were posted. It is estimated that from thirty to forty thousand assembled. The traflic opposite the “ Argus ” oflice was entirely blocked. There were noisy manifestations as cacli result became known, but a total absence of violence, although a large police force was iu readiness. The entire business community gathered in the central Melbourne Exchange, and there awaited the returns. The principal surprises consisted of the return of Lycll for Emerald Hill and Madden, by a narrow majority, for Sandridge, Mclntyre’s defeat at Sandhurst, Eobertson’s at Pol worth, Joseph Jones at Villicrs, and also the victory of L. L. Smith, at Richmond Wrixon, at Portland easily defeated Webster, the Ministerial candidate. Ministers lost seats iu several other places where success was coniidently expected. Tuc dual returns show 35 Ministerialists, II Opposition, and 7 Independent, whose probable action is now a subject of much speculation. It was fully expected the Ministry would resign at once, and several favored this course, hut iu view of the desirability of voting supplies the new Ministers go lo the country for rc-elcc-tion, it was decided to meet Parliament. The Assembly meet ou Thursday. The House is expected to meet for two days, after which a vote of want of confidence will probably be introduced, and carried without much discussion.

I understand that the Liberals intimated to Berry before the elections that in the event of success they would not sanction the reappointment of the old Ministers.

O’Shanassy, in Ills speech at Belfast, said he would act in a constitutional manner. It is generally agreed on all sides his position is very strong, although his following is not numerous. There is much talk regarding a coalition with Berry, but this is manifestly premature. The action of the Ministry when the Opposition move their vote of want of confidence- will probably _ throw some light on the farther relations of those who lead the Opposition. In any ease the new Ministry are expected to have a difficult task.

The nomination paper of "Williams of Maundurang is statedfo be informal, and and a fresh election is probable. Mr Higginbotham’s acceptance of the judgeship of the Supreme Court in succession to Mr Justice Fellows is giving entire satisfaction.

O’Loughlin will probably be raised to the Bench. Mrs Austin, widow of tire late Tiros. Austin, of Winchelsea, bas undertaken the erection of the entire building of an hospital for incurables at her sole cost. NEW SOUTH WALES. Mr Heaton, one of the proprietors of the “ Evening Star” is seriously ill of gastric fever. Noumea, July 9. The nows of a general amnesty is disbelieved here. The editor of a scurrilous newspaper bas been fined eleven thousand francs, and ordered to be imprisoned for fourteen months for libel. The Protestant chief of the island of Mare Huiassius is dying.