AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2309, 11 August 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tkleouai'ii.] (Per Wakatipu, at Wellington.) Melbourne, August 4. The preliminary investigation into the charges against Kelly takes place at Beechworth on Friday next. It is expected the Kelly sympathisers will make a demonstration, in which case the examination will be held inside the gaol. Kelly has been very quiet since his arrival at Beechworth, and is only visited by his solicitor’s (Mr Zincke) clerk, llis sudden removal rather surprised his Greta friends, and many visited Bcnalla to confirm the statements made by the Press. An attempt will he made to obtain a postponement of the trial for a week. The witnesses to be examined on behalf of the Crown will be Constable Mclntyre (who shot Kelly at Glenrowan), Senior Constable Kelly, and Constable Bracken. The last-named will give evidence with regard to certain statements made by Ycd Kelly at Jones’ publichouse, Glenrowan, previous to the arrival of the police. It is also expected that a witness will be brought from Jerildcrie. Kelly’s demeanour in the train was more extraordinary Iba n at first reported. His hatred for Sergeant Steel was very marked. On the way up he sprang on him and had to be thrown down on the seat by two constables of Euroa. He looked out of the train aud pointed to a fence, saying “ That’s where Steve Hart hung up bis horse when be saw the d —d policeman coming. The fool passed him and Steve said ‘ good day ’ to him, but lie did not drop to him.” At Glenrowan Kelly told Sergeant Steele he would like to have him in the bush, and he would shoot him ; ami also that whilst in the bush he bad made his own powder. With regard to the proceedings at Jones’ hotel, he said he and Byrne started tiring from the verandah, as I fart and Dan Kelly were too slow in coming out after the police had tired. They lire! again from the chimney, and it was then that he was wounded. He then went into the house and searched under the beds for Bracken. Having done so, he walked out through the back door, and told Byrne he would break through the police line at daylight. When he commenced firing, he expected the gang to to come out aud join him. Subsequently be said he was sorry that he and the others had not rushed the station when the train came in, for if he had done so he is certain they would have killed all the party. The unemployed agitation has been renewed. Over twelve hundred men are looking out for work. Higgins and Wright, railway contractors, have filed their schedule today, with liabilities over £25,000, and assets, nil. Their private estate is also insolvent. Wright’s liabilities are £17,050, and assets £20,000. Higgins’ liabilities arc £1450. The cause is said to be the failure of the Provincial Bank.

Adelaide, August 4. Moodic, who caned Mr Clark recently in Victoria, knocked down Mr Whitley, a well-known lawyer, in a hotel this morning. He did so because Whitley told Moodic’s wife he would not return, and advised her to get a deed of separation. Proceedings will probably he taken by the jiolicc. Au unusual scene occurred iu the local Court to-day, between Commissioner Downer aud Mr Kingstoue, a barrister, the latter accusing Downer of being interested in a case. To-day the Commissioner ordered Kingstoue into custodjq but afterwards allowed him to make an explanation. _ After a warm discussion the Commissioner said he would not allow such objections to be made against him, aud in future would treat attempts of this kind as a contempt of Court.

QUEENSLAND. Bhisbaue, August 4. Between 4000 and 5000 persons attended a popular demonstration against the mail service last night. A large crowd afterwards went to the Assembly to present a resolution to the leader of the Opposition. The crowd remained outside some time, cheering and hooting loudly. At meetings held in various places, resolutions adverse to the Government have been carried unanimously.