AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2374, 26 October 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By TEi.ntiK.vini.] (Per llingarooina at the Bluff.) EXII IB IT lON CONVERSAZIONE. WHOLESALE CIVIL SERVICE REDUCTIONS. RAILWAY EXTENSION IN VICTORIA. THE KELLY TRIAL. MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A SURVEY PARTY. SULLIVAN THE MURDERER SUSPECTED. VICTORIA. MKi.nour.NE, Oct. 19. The Conversazione on Monday night attracted about 13,000. An excellent concert was rendered, the building was brilliantly lighted, and there were no complaints of thefts nor disorder. The nave of the Exhibition was crowded with visitors. Many of the foreign and intercolonial Courts were closed including New Zealand, Queensland and Germany. The picture gallery was not accessible, hut sufficient was left to provide ample entertainment and the affair was altogether considered a great success.

It is stated that Mnnro, one of the Commissioners, removed the barrier in front of the New Zealand Court, declaring all such obstructions were unlawful. The Queensland Court had a notice that there would ho no admittance except during the hours of daylight. The Austrian band attracted an audience of 10,000 on Friday. The performance gave great satisfaction, and most of the courts were flocked with visitors. The attendance generally at the Exhibition is much more satisfactory, principally owing to the musical attractions which previously were much neglected. On Saturday 12,000 paid for admission.

The House resumes sitting to-morrow, when Patterson will submit the Railway Bill already agreed to by the Cabinet. It is intended to push on the Bill with all possible speed. The Treasurer has already* half a million of the new loan in hand. _ Berry is now busy preparing the estimates. The budget statement will he made on October 21.

It is expected that the Opposition will challenge the Government at the opening of Parliament for reinstating Knaggs and Farrell, whose appointments are gazetted. A “Gazette” notice on Thursday cuncels the regulation disqualifying persons connected with political societies from holding Government appointment. The same “ Gazette” contains the appointment of Farrell, Knaggs, and several other returning officers. Mr Moloswortlx on behalf of Kelly on Friday, moved the postponement of his trial till next sittings, on the ground that the prisoner has had neither time nor means to prepare his defence. Justice Barry replied that the prisoner had had the opportunity of seeing his attorney twice a week, and the Crown would provide any counsel he nominated, therefore he refused the application. On the case being called on Monday, an application was received on the above grounds, when the Court granted a postponement until Oct. 28. Returns published, show that 85 officials in the customs have been dismissed ; their salaries ranging from £IOOO annually to a few shillings per week. Altogether, a saving to the colony of some thousands has been olfocted.

NEW SOUTH WALKS.

A surveying party, consisting _ of Lament, Young (Government geologist), H. \V. Lloyd, Towers, ami John Stapely left Ilenuagliua for the Clyde on Saturday. Their boat was picked up, on the beach, 40 miles north of the Clyde, on .Monday morning, and the same afternoon it was reported that four bodies had been washed ashore. The gravest fears are entertained as nothing has been beard since of the party. There are some fears of foul play since bullets were found in the boat’s thwarts, besides traces of pelting the boat with stones. Others suppose that Young went into the bush to search for minerals and is lost, llinney, of the Mineral Department, started on Friday to thoroughly investigate the country and coast for the missing men. A native search is being made by others, although as yet unsuccessfully.

A rumour is current among the miners at Hermagua that Sullivan, the New Zealand murderer, was among the party, but this is believed to be untrue. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The Assembly passed the loan estimates, amounting to £1,:1D0,000, without amendment. A Hill has been introduced to resume certain Educational land, valued at £OOOO, which the latter could not pay for. The measure meets with oonsiderable opposition, and the debate has been adjourned.