AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2325, 30 August 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[by T!-TjTvG U.UMt.I [Per Rotomahana at Bluff.] VICTORIA. MKLUOUKXK, August 21. Ministers arc now busy with the Estimates. Heavy rcductious arc probable in all directions. The “Age” states that the Government, on meeting Parliament, will be prepared to submit several important measures, including a Railway Bill, a Bill to abolish pltlral voting, and a Bill for payment of members. The Railway Bill will be pushed rapidly through all its stages. A Constitutional Reform Bill will bo introduced at an early date. Mr ITackott. the defeated candidate at Sandridgc, has petitioned against Dr Madden’s return, on the grounds of bribery, under influence and intimidation by Madden and his agents. Petitions are also lodged against tiro elections of Gillies and Eraser, on behalf of Crowle, who was disqualified, owing to the fact that an insufficient time having elapsed between tbc resignation and Ids appointment as Returning Officer, and Ids nomination as a candidate. Crowle holds that the Returning Officer had no right to disqualify him, and that the question should have been referred to the Elections Qualification Committee. W. M K. Vale, Attorney-General, who was seriously indisposed for some days, is now convalescent, and able to resume his official duties.

11l consequence of t’to indisposition of Judge Nolan, T. L. Smith has been appointed interim County Court Judge, and lias commenced hi-? duties. Sir Hercules Robinson is expected in Sydney on September 12, and in Melbourne on September lb. The Commissioner of Customs, in reinstating Captain Payne, said he hoped his temporary suspension would be the means of preventing a recurrence of such neglect. All the lights along the coast were found in perfect order.

A rumor which was current that the police had a clue to the Kelly “plant” is entirely unconfirmed. Mrs Greer is still in the hospital, progressing favorably. It was stated in the papers that Soiuhy applied to the hospital committee on Tuesday for leave to visit Mrs Greer, but it was unanimously decided to refuse the request. Soudry has published a letter denying that lie had endeavored to obtain an interview. Ketten shortly reappears in Melbourne. After visiting Adelaide,be proceeds mi a tour of New Zealand, having signed an an agreement with Rcnnctt of Sydney. NEW SOUTH WALKS. The new tax of threepence per ton on coal was levied at Newcastle on Friday, and caused some excitement. A meeting of merchants, agents, and colliery proprietors resolved to wait on the Colonial Treasurer on the subject. Mcasies, scarlatina, and whooping cough arc very prevalent in Sydney. Reports from the southern districts slate that cattle arc si ready dying from the scarcity of water. Several hush (ires arc reported, and owing to the high wind serious damage is feared.

Some large nuggets have been found at Temora. One party secured 100 ounces, and another obtained two nuggets which weighed 20 ounces. The captain of the schooner Queen from the Solomon Islands reports that the natives at Eddystone Island informed him that the captain, mate, and four native sailors of the schooner Espcranza were massacred b} r the natives in consequence of a dispute about trade last June. The islanders then burnt and plundered the schooner.

SOUTH AUSTKALIA

Mr Townsend, doputy-Speakcr, sues the Tank of South Australia in the House for damages for refusing - a cheque. In the budget debate Mr (Hyde censured the Government for not endeavoring to reduce the expenditure. He considers the revenue is over estimated, and he also condemns the omission of taxation proposals.

QUEENSLAND. Continuous dry weather is affecting the crops adversely. Some fears of a drought are entertained. The want of young grass at t’ac Darling is much felt. Mr Griffitli in the Assembly declared the Premier’s estimated revenue to be £150,000 in excess, and that the expenditure is placed too low by £74,000. - The action New Zealand Insurance Co. against North British is proceeding, and is expected to last several clays.