AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2336, 11 September 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per s.s. Albion at Bussell.]

VICTORIA

Melbourne, Sept. 3,

In the Assembly on Thursday, Mr Berry asked the Speaker if, during the recess, lie had considered the rpucstion whether the House was wrong in proceeding to business before Parliament was formally opened by the Crown. Mr Lai or said he hast considered the question, and had prepared a document with a view to proving that the Governor had not been well informed on the subject. Mr Berry immediately moved that the document bo entered on the minutes, Mr Service objected, until it bad been seen and discussed, and t!io motion was postponed till the 7th. Government intend to abolish the local Artillery corps. They' have no intention to abolish the Mint, as the losses are diminishing and it keeps up the price of gold to diggers. Government have reduced the pay of postmen. Mr Berry refused a deputation on the subject of the grant for the Hospital for Incurables. He objected to (be multiplication of charitable institutions which are rapidly pauperising the country. He intends to ask Parliament this year for a less amount on account of the charitable vote. NEW SOUTH WALES. The Government have decided to abolish the Commissioner of Crown Lands at the end of the year,thus effecting a saving of £BOOO or £9OOO. A insolvency investigation of Hardy Bros.’ alfairs showed that sundry bills discounted by the insolvents at the City Bank had not been signed by the parties whose names they boro. The action of the Bank in connection with the affair excites some comment. The scarcity of water at Tomora is becoming alarming. The present price is Gd per bucket, and the supply is limited.

At Wagga, two settlers pleaded guilty to defacing the brands of two stud sheep of a neighboring grazier, and were lined £2O and costs. A Chinaman jumped from a train running 35 miles an hour on the Burwood platform, and alighted unhurt. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The Assembly have passed a clause against adulterated liquor. The penalty for the first offence is not to exceed £SO and three months’ imprisonment, and for the second offence £IOO and six months, and 10 years’ disqualification from holding a license. A new and valuable discovery of copper has been made 20 miles northeast of Burra. There are two fine lodes. QUEENSLAND. In consequence of public agitation, Bishop Quinn has paid the amount due to Miss Corring, which she lent to a Catholic priest some years ago to build a church, the priest having gone to New Zealand. The Bishop hitherto repudiated the claim.