AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2319, 23 August 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telhg itawi.]

(Per Tararua at the Bluff.)

VICTORIA. Mkluoukne, August 17. Political affairs have been quiet throughout the week except as regards canvassing for Ministers for re-election. It is expected that the contests will prove very close, especially at Fitzroy, where Vale is not popular. The opinion gains ground that the Reform question will be shelved for the present. Vale speaking at Fitzroj'’ on Saturday, said it would be impossible for the Ministry to consider the subject of reform first, while attention was being devoted to the financial position. The question of the Chairmanship of Committees is .unsettled. The names of Mirams and Gannson are mentioned, and the former will probably be elected. A writ for another vacancy in the Council was issued on August 0. Gumming finally retires. Connor, mayor of Geelong, and George Smith of Ballarat, are candidates. It is stated that Sir Jas. McCulloch intends also to become a candidate. ■

Kelly was formally committed at Bcochworth to take his trial at the Circuit Court on October 14 on the charges of murdering Constables Lonigan and Scanlan. Since his return from Beechworth he has been much depressed, and complaining of a pain in his foot. A bullet was extracted on Friday, and he has since been relieved. Constable Mclntyre, the principal witness in the Kelly case is suffering from pleurisy, and lias been obliged to go to the hospital. Sir Hercules Robinson and family are booked to sail in the John Elder on September 21.

Tlio “ Argus ” says that Folingsby’s portrait ot : Sir Hercules Robinson is a speaking likeness and an artistic work.

NEW SOUTH WALES,

The French war ship Navarino lias arrived at New Caledonia with 380 convicts and 800 Government employees and soldiers. A number of Liberccs at Noumea are causing anxiety. Three chiefs have sent a friendly farewell letter to Governor Aubrey, acknowledging his justice towards them. Good feeling at present exists between the chiefs and the Government. New Caledonian advices state that Tahiti has been formally proclaimed a French possession. The notification was given by King Pomare, at the request of the French authorities. Saul Samuel has been appointed Agent-General of New South Wales, and he leaves in a month, Sucton succeeds Samuel, and Sir George limes becomes Minister of Justice. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. On Friday an attempt was made to forcibly enter the Bank of Adelaide at Morgan,and it proved successful. Three men have been arrested on suspicion. QUEENSLAND.

The Budget statement was made on Thursday. It is proposed to increase land sales to £175,00(3 and to raise the duty to 2s per hundred feet on cedar and three half-pence per lb on stcarine imported. The changes are expected to yield £28,000, leaving a surplus of £32,000.