AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2314, 17 August 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Later Items per Arawata.) GOVERNOR V. SPEAKER—A NICE QUARREL. THE OPERA HOUSE TRAGEDY. NED KELLY IN THE DOCK. VICTORIA. Melrouune, August 11. The Marquis of Normanby has got himself into very hot water with the majority in the Assembly. Mr Service, though defeated in tiic elections, determined to meet the House, and the Opposition, not to be behind hand, passed a vote of no confidence without waiting for his Excellency’s speech. The Ministry left in a body, and Mr Service decided to ignore the vote. It was suggested that the Assembly should refuse "to hear the vice-regal speech, but at a caucus held on July 2G Sir John O’Shanassy warned the majority that unless they desisted they would hear in an unpleasant way from his Excellency. They were not to be influenced, however, and the amendment embodying the declaration of want of confidence was purposely drafted in such .a way as to acquaint his Excellency with the proceedings taken in Parliament before the address from the Crown had been read. His Excellency in his reply administered the following rebuke :—I feel hound, however, at the same time, to express my sincere regret that you should have brought under my notice that a similar resolution was passed on Friday last. I should not now be performing my duty to the Crown or to the colony were I to fail to draw your attention to the fact that there is no point of constitutional or parliamentary law or practice which Is more universally accepted by all authorities upon those subjects that the fact that Parliament is not in a position to consider questions of public policy until it has been formally opened, and the Crown —either in person or by its representative —has declared the reasons for which Parliament has been assembled.” These remarks are in direct conflict with the ruling of the Speaker (Mr Lalor), who has invited the attention of the Assembly to them, but whether the members will proceed further and invite the attention of the Imperial authorities to the point involved remains to be seen. The Melbourne “Age,” iu a vigorously written article, accuses His Excellency of attempting to “ browbeat ” the representatives of the people, and says, “ His dogmatic utterance is chiefly remarkable for its astounding ignorance of the whole spirit of the British and the'Victorian Constitutions.” The article concludes by suggesting an agitation for the recall of His Excellency, for the following sentences can bear no other interpretation. “ Should the Assembly decide on resenting these insults to itself by a linn memorial, recapitulating what Lord Normanby has done and said, we believe the bare outline of facts would be quite sufficient, England has never yet supported a Governor against the representatives of the people. Lord Sligo had to apologise publicly to the House of Assembly in Jamaica for encroaching on its powers in a way not very dissimilar from Lord Normanby’s speech of yesterday, though loss offensive in form. We do not suppose the Colonial Office is less liberal now than it was forty years ago.” The circumstances of the Opera bouse tragedy have created a painful sensation, The conduct of Mrs Greer is considered inexplicable. In person her husband was eminently handsome ; he loved her tenderly, and was most indulgent to her caprices, and even when his suspicious were aroused he yet treated her with astonishing forbearance. JShe, on tbc other hand, has displayed a callous indifference to his sufferings, and such an utter disregard for all womanly delicacy that she has thoroughly disgusted the community. She has never expressed the slightest regret for her conduct; but with a brazen impudence which has created amazement, lias avowed her undiminished preference for her .seducer. Poor Greer lingered in dreadful agony for six days, notwithstanding that the injury to his brain rendered his case hopeless from the first. When informed of her husband’s death Mrs Greer merely laughed. Her conduct in the Hospital has been so peculiar that some doubts of her complete responsibility for her actions have arisen. She will probably soon recover from her wound but she has thoroughly wrecked her life. The jury who inquired into Mr Greer's death, considerately returned a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane. Soudry’s position as assistant French Commission has been filled up, and be returns to France disgraced and loathed by (acquaintances as well as strangers.

Ned Kelly was brought before Mr Foster, Magistrate at Beechworth, on Friday, charged with the murder of Constables Lonigan and Scanlan, at Stringy Bark Creek, on Oct. 18, 1878. The Court was crowded, a large number of ladies being among the audience, Among those present wore Mrs Skillian. Tom Lloyd, and Dick Hart. Kelly, who is still lame, was carried into the dock, and allowed to rest. Mr Foster refused Mr Gaunson’s application for a remand. The first witness was constable Macintj’rc, who narrated the expedition which terminated with the murders. Macintyre was alone when bailed, and while waiting for the remainder of the party, the bushrangers conversed freely with him. Kelly said he did not intend to shoot the others if they surrendered, but expressed a deadly enmity to Fitzpatrick, Flood, Steele, and Stanton. He was formally committed yesterday on a charge of shooting Lonigan. A number of people now recognise Kelly whom they saw frequently during the last two years at racecourses and hotel bars. It is stated Ned actually visited .Melbourne last July, slept in an hotel in Bonrke street, and conversed about the Kellys. The “ Argus ” states that four months ago two men named Smyth and Morgan were bailed up by the outlaws near Three Mile Creek and taken to a hut, where an abundant supper was enjoyed. After compelling them to lake an oath of secrecy, Smyth and Morgan were released. The latter was kept under surveillance for some time, and it was proposed that Morgan should join the gang, but he was found to be unsuitable.

The “ Argus,” speaking of the appointment of Sir Hercules llobinson to the Cape, says the whole of the colonics will regret the loss of such a judicious adviser.

•lustice Moloswortb lias suspended Aaron’s certificate for two years. The Judge gave as his chief reason the bankrupt’s transfer of the Academy of Music to his brother-in-law with a view of retaining the theatre iu his own hands, which was an offence against the Act. The train from Melbourne to Geelong was run into at tbc latter station by an engine. A saloon carriage was damaged and a lady seriously injured. Several were badly shaken. The case Lyons v M'Kinlay, the proprietor of “ Punch,” was called on at the Supreme Court on Monday, when it was announced the ease had been settled, the counsel for the defendant declaring they had no intentention of reflecting on the private character of the plaintiff. The Legislative Council met yesterday. Mr lleid made a formal announcement of (he new Ministry. Sir Charles Sladen created a sensation by enquiring whether the Commissioner of Customs was the Clark whose paper recently printed disloyal and insulting remarks about the Queen. Air Ecicl declined to reply. An Austriau band, numbering sixty performers, is now en route per Cuzco. Two Sydney gentleman have engaged them as a speculation. NEW SOUTH WALES. A master mariner named Needham committed suicide on Wednesday, lie leaves a wife and family in New Zealand. David Newton, solicitor, pleaded guilty to forging a decree absolute of the Divorce Court, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. The prisoner was undergoing the same punishment for a similar offence. Various rumors are afloat at Temora regarding the new discoveries ten miles distant. No reliable information is to hand.