AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2331, 6 September 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[by telegraph.] (Per Te Anau at the Bluff.) THE ROBINSON PACES. EXHIBITION FESTIVITIES IN MELBOUPNE. ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS CRUISER. AMUSEMENTS OF A MAN-OF-WAP. CIVILIZING WITH SHOT AND SHELL. VICTORIA. Melbourxe, August 31.

In accordance with a generally expressed desire the chairman of; the Victorian Racing Chib forwarded an invitation to Sir Hercules Robinson to attend a. special complimentary racing meeting. A telegram was received from Sir Hercules accepting the invitation, and. naming September 18 as a convenient, ■day. The committee determined to issue ,a liberal programme, and the following n - accs were fixed :—Two Miles Hurdles, .150 sovs ; half-mile for two-year-olds, 100 sovs ; Robinson Stakes Handicap with 250 sovs added ; St. Leger Course Welter Plato, a mile and a quarter, gentlemen riders; Steeplechase, three miles, 200 sovs ; Farewell Handicap, one mile and a quarter 200 sovs. The Governor is making extensive preparations for the forthcoming hospitalities at Government House. Parliamentary dinners are fixed for Sept. 3 and 10. On Oct. I, the Governors of various colonics, Consuls,and Exhibition Commissioners will be officially entertained at a large dinner. Lady Normanby gives a State ball on Oct. 5. The “ European Mail ” says that the Duke of Manchester will visit Adelaide, Sydney, and also New Zealand, where lie has considerable property. His daughter is not coming as was previously expeeted. Moutmahon. the French delegate appointed to enquire into the system of colonial education, interviewed the Minister of Education, on Sept. 25. It is expected that much mutual benefit will result from Montmahon’s visit. Ferdinand Journet, French engineer of roads and bridges, who is a delegate to enquire into the public works of the colonies, was interviewed at Sandridge on Friday. The Chief Secretary on Monday presented a memorial to the Governor signed by a number of shipmasters in Melbourne, praying for a remission of the sentence of imprisonment passed on Captain Thomson, of the Trochrague. Ned Kelly is rapidly gaining strength lie has been removed to an ordinary cell, and his maimer is greatly subdued. The following were appointed a Hoard to enquire into the Lord-Bain affair :—Sinclair and Johnson (Tyne Foundry) and Fulton (Fulton’s Foundry). The Board examined only two waitnesses—Laing, Iron Inspector, and .'Sbgleton, Engineer’s Accountant, and they are expected to report on Monday. The Attorney-General has nearly completed the new Reform Bill. At present, however, lie will only submit it pro forma, postponing the discussion till next year. NEW SOUTH WALES.’ Mr Pari ms has received a telegram from the GoveVnor of Bombay that a strange vessel passed Aden, bound for Port Breton, with a motley crow aboard. It is probably another expedition similar to that of the Chandcrnagorc. The increase of population over last year is 40,000. This is the largest gain for many years. The excess of arrivals over departures was 23,000.

H.M.S. Wolverine arrived on Aug-. 28, leaky. She reports visiting Apia, New Hebrides. The native refused to surrender the murderers of the crew of the Dauntless, and four villages and plantations were consequently destroyed. Rain still bolds off, and prayers were offered in all the Roman Catholic churches on bund ay for rain.