AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2428, 29 December 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Per Arawata at the Bluff.) VICTORIA. Melbourne, Dec. 21. Active steps are being taken to appoint a lloyal Commission of enquiry into the police force generally, but the list is not j’ct complete. Superintendent Nicholson declares he is quite prepared witlra full defence as to his conduct in connection witli the Kelly affair. Very unfavorable comments have been passed on the refusal of the Australian team to take part in the intercolonial match, which is attributed to an undue desire to make the monetary the first consideration. The ‘ Australasian ‘ publishes an article stating that henceforth the team can only be regarded as professionals. The Melbourne Telegraphic Exchange Company is meeting with considerable success. The Banks and other large institutions have now joined the Exchange. QUEENSLAND. The Darling Downs wheat crop is excellent, and is expected to total a quarter of a million bushels. A disastrous tire took place on the premises of a Mr G-room on Sunday. Mrs Groom and two children were dreadfully burnt, and all have since died. (Per Wakatipu at Wellington.) Wellington, Dec. 28. The Wakatipu arrived from Sydney this morning. She left on Dec. 22 and experienced moderate and variable weather. Passengers for Lyttelton—Mr and Mrs Henry Law, child, and servant, Mr and Mrs P. J. Parsons, child, and servant, Miss Campbell and servant. Mrs Poulton and live children, Hon J. S. Turner and son, Messrs T, D. Taylor, H. Taylor and lo steerage. For Dunedin —Mrs F. W. Jackson and children, Mrs Mackillop, Mr Peeves and 2 steerage. NEW SOUTH WALKS. Sydney, Dec. 22. At Tomora, at a meeting of Irishmen, held .yesterday resolutions were adopted in favor of,Parnell and the land leaguers. Subscriptions were opened in aid of the Parnell defence fund. Mr Carcoar and Hie directors of the Millbum Creek copper mine are so favorably impressed with its prospects that they have determined on starting smelting furnaces at the beginning of the year. YICTOPIA. In the Assembly, Berry stated that a penny beer duty next year would realise £IOO,OOO but that the financial arrangements for this year would not permit of reducing the duty from 2d to a penny a gallon at present. QUEENSLAND. Griffiths, leader of opposition left for Sydney yesterday en route for England. A large crowd witnessed his departure. It is rumoured that Mr Drury,general manager of the Queensland National Bank is going to England on business conected with Government. Perkin, Minister of lauds will probably be acting Treasurer during Mcllwraiths absence. The New Caledonian escapees refuse to admit that they are the pevsofls described in the Extradition papers y,n,d cannot be identilied, therefore they are still detained. Tl.imv counsel insists

that the Bench has no power to surrender them to the French authorities without a personal identification of each. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. A sale of old wheat, fifteen hundred bags, f.0.b., at Port Victoria, is reported at 4s 34d. 4s old is asked for new wheat, without any business. (Per llotomahana at Russell.) NEW SOUTH WALLS. , r ~ , . Sydney, Dec. 23. Mr iarkes received a telegram from Mr Berry, stating that he will be able to attend the Conference on Jan. 30. At Temora, a portion of the drillings froiu a bore-hole on the Caledonian reef, assayed nine ounces to the ton. Forty loads from Tait and Hall’s party gave seventeen ounces, after picking out the coarse pieces. Wilkinson has been committed on the of murder at Albury. The police recognised him as Burt who was tried before Judge Hargreaves in 1870 for robbery under arms. He was then sentenced to 10 years, and his Honor remarked that the prisoner hud the worst countenance he had seen. Burt replied “ H 1 come before you again it will be for a far more serious offence.” A man was committed for trial 3 ? esterday for horse stealing, supposed to be lhainus Hart, brother of the late outlaw. VICTORIA. A Supply Bill for £795,000 has been passed. It is intended to place a temporary patch on the Sorata and take her out of dock. QUEENSLAND. Ten thousand six hundred sheep have perished for want of water while travelling. ( A French warship has arrived at Cooktown an route for New Guinea to punish the murderers of the French naturalists.