AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2367, 18 October 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph,] [Per Eotomahana at the Bluff.] EXHIBITION NEWS. MR BERRY’S POLICY. TURNING THE TABLES ON THE RETURNING OFFICERS. BORDER DUTIES DENOUNCED. IMPORTANT SILVER AND LEAD DISCOVERIES. THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT IN A FIX—A MAIL CONTRACT REPUDIATED. VICTORIA. Melbourne, Oct. 12, The number that paid for admission to the Exhibition during the past week averaged about 3000daily,except onSaturday, when the exhibition was attended by 7000, notwithstanding the counter attraction of the Strauss Band and Flemington Racecourse. Many of the courts are still busy preparing, but as the admission of exhibits is now stopped it is expected all will be completedat at early date. Complaints in connection with the refreshments contracts continue. The supply and catering generally are far from giving satisfaction. About 7000 cards were issued for the conversazione on Thursday night. A formal protest has been made by the Foreign Commissioners against the lighting of the Exhibition, and the British line art gallery will be entirely closed. Lord Loftus and a distinguished party were entertained at luncheon at Deniliquin on Friday. Lord Loftus in a speech warmly advocated Australian confederaaion, and appealed to the colonists to endeavor to advance in that direction. The Duke of Manchester hoped the Australians would have a direct representative in the Imperial Parliament and a voice in the Government of the Empire, O’Shannassy, on the same occasion spoke in favor of intercolonial free trad a. The speeches were very favorably received. Berry and Langridge were entertained at a political gathering at dunes

yesternight. Berry made a. speech wherein he attributed the failure to pass true Liberal measures to the obstruction of the Council and the factious opposition of Conservatives. He declared that he intended to render the Assembly absolutely supreme. He would submit a Reform Bill shortly after the recess and he promised that this measure would bring the Council within the reasonable control of the people. Berry has decided to reinstate Farrell as parliamentary librarian at a salary of £SOO.

Knaggs having intimated a desire to be reappointed as returning officer for West Melbourne, Berry reinstated him. Alderman Moubray was accordingly requested to resign which he refused to do. The Executive Council yesterday, nevertheless, reappointed Knaggs, Richardson, Crowe, and several other returning officers whom Service had dismissed on the ground of political partisanship. The “ Argus” and other papers severely condemn these reappointments. On receipt of news that the Albion was' in difficulty, the steamer Rescue, under Captain Williams, proceeded to her assistance, and towed her safely to Melbourne, where she is undergoing repairs. It is stated in a Adelaide telegram to the “ Age ” that Sir George Strachan is not to go to Tasmania, and Sir John Lefroy will continue there permanently.

NEW SOUTH WALES,

On his way returning to Sydney, Sir John Robertson jmsterday delivered a speech at Deuiliquin, on the land question. He referred specially to the manifesto recently drawn up by the Selectors’ Conference, and gave the listeners to understand that he would oppose to the utmost the Conference’s programme. He also spoke on the Border Duties question, expressing a strong opinion that the colonies should levy duties only on the seaboard and (hat Border Customs should be altogether abolished. Mr Parkes has arrived in Melbourne where he will stay for a week. It is officially reported that silver and load mines have been discovered 120 miles to the north-west of Menindie, near the South Australian border. A reef four feet wide has already been traced for 300 yards. QUEENSLAND. A working men’s mass meeting on Saturday protested against the ratification of the mail contract. It was resolved to send a cablegram to the London “ Times” threatening repudiation because the contract is contrary to the constitution. About 500 were present, most of whom took no part in the proceedings. The telegram which it was agreed to send was as follows :—“ The business places in the metropolis were closed during an immense open air meeting for repudiating the mail contract, as the proceedings of the Government are unconstitutional.”