AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2345, 22 September 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] [Per Rotorua at the Bluff.] FLOODS IN MELBOURNE. CIVIL SERVICE REDUCTIONS ON THE GRADUATED PRINCIPLE. UNIVERSITY EXAMINERS. SIR HERCULES’ RIDE-SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE IN 20 HOURS. VICTORIA. Melbourne, Sept. 1(5. A storm with floods of exceptional severity was experienced on Sept 10. 11, and 12. The rain commenced falling on Friday, and continued almost incessantly till Sunday night. During Saturda - y and Sunday a violent gale from the south-east delayed the arrival of the steamship Assam and several oilier steamers. The barque Medea was driven ashore at Quocnscliff. The schooner Cadet had a similar misfortune at Warrnambool, and alljthe outward hound steamers, fearing the force of the gale took shelter at Qucenscliff till the storm abated on Sunday night.

Continuous rain swelled the Yarra on Sunday and caused it speedily to overflow. Householders in the lowlying districts were forewarned, and removed their furniture and effects, hut considerable damage was nevertheless done to property at Richmond and Sandridge. Flinders street, from the- St. Kilda road to Emerald Hill, was a vast hike, the water pouring across the main road in a great stream 150 yards wide. At Afictoria bridge and on the principal thoroughfares many of the gardens were completely flooded. On Monday afternoon the iloods began to subside, and no further signs of rain being visible, it is hoped the worst, effects are now over although much land is still under water. Professor Proctor lectures in Melbourne for the last time on Sept. 20, and then sails for New Zealand. The Cabinet on Monday decided on a scale of reductions in the Civil Service. Salaries below £2OO will he untouched ; up to £7OO the reduction will be 10 per cent, and above £7OO 15 per cent. The University of Now Zealand lias accepted the services of the following Melbourne examiners : English language and literature—Professor Elkington ; modern languages and literature— Professor Strong ; general history and political economy—Professor Elkington; jurisprudence—Mr Hackett; constilional history —Professor Pearson; mathematics Professor Manson ; physical science— Mr Pirani ; mental science—Mr Pirani ; English law —Air Higgins ; Greek language and literature—Air Leeper ; Latin —Air Leeper ; philology Professor Strong and Air Leeper.

The Exhibition Commissioners entertained Sir Hercules and Lady Robinson at luncheon at Sydney in the ladies’ court of the exhibition on Tuesday. An address w r as presented, which Sir 11. Robinson briefly acknowledged. He said that if his own inclinations were consulted he w'ould not turn his back on Australia, as he liked the people, the climate, and the work, but as a servant of the Crown he felt bound to go where he would be most useful. Sir 11. Robinson, accompanied by Sir Henry Parkes, travelled from Sydney to Melbourne overland. Arrangements were made for completing the journey at the fastest rate possible. No stoppage being made cn route they reached Melbourne in twenty hours, the shortest trip ever made. The Victorian Government provided a special train at Wodonga, where the Marquis of Normanby met the guests, and whence the new State carriages conveyed the vice-regal party to Melbourne,

QUEENSLAND. The Colonial Secretary reports that instructions have been forwarded to the Agent-General in London to despatch eight ships annually with not more than 275 emigrants each. The appeal of the New Zealand Insurance Company against the South British has been dismissed. (Per s.s. Eotoraahana, at Bussell.) NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, Sept. 16. Sir H. Bobiiison was entertained on the 14th at the Garden Palace, the Exhibition Commissioners. The same evening he was banqueted at the Town Hall, 2000 being present. Mr David Buchanan, M.P., has published a statement that the AttorneyGeneral had informed him that he had given the Premier a written opinion, prior to Sir H. Parkes’ action in the matter, that the delivery of Professor Proctor’s lecture would be perfectly legal and not legally preventable. The official explanation furnished to the “Herald” admits the facts, but states that Sir H. Parkes’ subsequent action was not in conflict with the opinion given. Mr Bright’s Sunday lecture with payment at the doors, was held without interference, but it was understood that the officials present were noting the proceedings with a view to legal action. The Government has received official communication from the representatives of all the Protestant churches approving of Sir H. Parkes’ action. A special reporter of the “ Daily Telegraph,” after investigating the Temora goldfield, confidently states it to be payable and permanent. Some claimholders told him they were picking sufficient from the wash dirt to pay them well. One party obtained 102ozs. This was a week’s work without water. The ground is very patch} l -, however. The sinking is from GO to 80 feet. Nothing has yet been discovered to warrant the report about rich reefs. A night school under the Education Act will shortly be inaugurated. VICTORIA. The Treasurer makes his Budget speech on the 28th. He will propose to adjourn next day foi three weeks. The unemployed arc very troublesome at the Government offices. Mr Berry informed a deputation that he had done all he could, and declined to see more deputations. They left, givingcheers for Bent.

Theodore Hamilton, lessee of the People’s Theatre offers £250 for the best Australian drama by an Australian author.

Edu-iird Spann, jeweller, is insolvent. He accounted for the disappearance of a large quantity of Ids stock by stating that the Customs officers seized a large quantity for non-payment of duty. Some startling evidence was given about his mode of transacting business. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Noble, a member of the linn of Main, Noble and Co,, sued Mrs Ellen Crawford for breach of promise, damages £SOO. Defendant was housemaid at an hotel. Noble discovered she possessed property, proposed, and was accepted. He drew £IOO out of the Jinn for expenses of furnishing, on the understanding that he was to repay it from his wife’s fortune. The day before that lixed for the wedding the defendant married Crawford. It was alleged that Noble wanted her money and not her, and that the marriage was a commercial speculation on the part of the plaintiff's Jinn. A verdict was given for the plaintiff for £2O.

Mrs Greer sailed in the Bangalore. Mi Boothby, Under-Secretary, lias been granted a Board of Enquiry. Montgomery, late secretary to the Irish Fund, has assigned his estate. QUEENSLAND. The following duties have been agreed upon for the northern territory : —Opium, T 1 per lb ; rice, Id per lb ; salt lish, Id; fresh lish, Id; sugar, 5s perewt ; spirits, 10s per gallon ; tobacco, 2s per lb ; cigars and snuff, os per lb ; wine, 4s per gallon ; beer, ltd per gallon; tea, Gil per lb. The gold export duty was fixed at 2s Gd. A steamer has arrived at Port Darwin with 21)0 Ciiinese. Nearly £IOOO in duty was collected. Judgment was given in a full Court on the demurrer case Mill v. Mcllwraith for the plaintiff on all points raised, the Court holding that the evidence of Mcllwraith that he acted on a resolution of the Assembly was not a condition precedent to the plaintiff’s right of action, and that members of Parliament interested in Government contracts only as trustees,are still liable to penalty. The case will now be tried on the question of facts in the plaintiff’s allegations. It is understood that he must succeed.