AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2409, 6 December 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Per Rotorua at the Bluff.) VICTORIA. Melbourne, Doc. 1. It.is mow understood that the reform n|Mestiou must stand over till after

Christinas, the estimates consuming all the time until then. M. Belcour, French Commissioner, on Saturday presented the President of the Exhibition with a splendid Leores vase, and the Government with a collection of educational appliances. On the same evening Mr Belcour entertained GO Exhibition Commissioners and others at a dinner at Menzie’s Hotel. At the International Conference on Saturday Mr Parkes submitted that in view of the harmonious feeling that prevails on such points as intercolonial free trade and, the establishment of a Federal Council the settlement of these important questions should have precedence. He also proposed joint action for the extirpation of phylloxera. Mr Yale was requested to collect information about the granting of patents. The other matters discussed were uniform telegraph and railway rates, disease in stock and wife and child desertion. At the Conference on Saturday resolutions were passed in favor of a Federal Council and the mutual extradition of absconding debtors. Mr Mann, the Adelaide delegate, submitted his views on Parke’s paper, and Mr Berry read a paper on border duties. The Conference adjourned to AVednesday, when Mr Parkes will expond his proposed Federal Council scheme, and phylloxera and Chinese immigration will be dealt with. It is highly probable that the Conference will again meet at Sydney in January. Joe Thomson hearing of the proposed match between Hanlon and Layoock, collected funds with a view to assisting Laycock to meet Hanlon’s terms and raised £167. Sydney subscribed £351, and both amounts were telegraphed to London, the Bank of New South Wales remitting the money free. The Wyndham races on Nov 27 wore well patronised, and excellent weather prevailed. The Wyndham Handicap was an excellent race Coongolee winning by a head, Caraballo second, Attack third. The Melbourne cricket club entertain the Australian Eleven at supper in their pavilion, on Saturday December J. Earl and Countess Ellesmere arrived yesterday by the Bokhara. They are the guests of Governor Nonnanby. The Commissioner of Trade and Customs has offered the use, free of charge, of the Alfred Dock, at AAGlHamstown, for repairing the Sorata, which is expected to reach Melbourne tins week. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The Sorata enquiry has been resumed. Captain Bernsdcn was closely examined, but nothing important was elicited. Green, third mate, said he was on deck at the time of the grounding, and Herbert Sandford and the Duke of Manchester were on the bridge. Green called out to the captain “ Point of land ahead.” The captain ordered them to “ port,” and the vessel not answering promptly he cried “ port hard,” and the next moment she struck. This witness testified to the carefulness of Captain Fowler, and said he knew of no precautions which the captain had omitted in order to verify his position. Frederick Howard, Staff Commander, Royal Navy, considered the navigation of Backstairs passage easy abreast of Cape Jervois, with AA 7 illoughby light in view. He also thought a steamer like the Sorata should never be nearer the land than half a mile. The enquiry was continued yesterdajq when the Captain of the Mercantile Marine, Lieutenant Gordon, E.N., and others were examined.

The match, Australian Eleven against Fifteen of Adelaide, was continued on Saturday, the former making a total of 163. Jarvis made 33 ; Murdoch, 28 ; Spofforth, 22 ; Connor, 21, and McDonnell, 20. Adelaide’s second innings was 117. Spolforth, who was bowling excellently, proved too much for them. The Eleven, with 68 to win, then commenced its second innings. Jarvis made 3 and Murdoch 10, being a total for the day of 33. On Monday the match was resumed. McDonnell made 15 ; Bannerman, 18 ; Blackham, 9 (not out), and Slight 14 (not out.) The Eleven accordingly won b} r six wickets.