AUSTRALIA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2553, 27 May 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

[ [Eeuteh's Agency.] Sydney, May 26, A child of a Chinese merchant resident in Lever Georgo street, is suffering, it is feared, from smallpox, but hopes are entertained that the disease may be only chickenpox. Meanwhile every precaution is being taken to prevent the spread of tho contagion ; comiriuntctttion with persons uutwfdc han been cut off, and the house is now guarded by the police. The Glamis Castle arrived here to-day with 850 Chinese, of whom 146 are en route for New Zealand.

A comet was visible here last night. Its apparent position is between the constellations of Columba and Uranus. No progress is being made with the consideration of the Reform Bill in the Legislative Assembly, and the Legislative Council are meanwhile delaying the passage of the Land Tax Bill, The latter Chamber now stands adjourned to May 31. Adelaide, May 26. The agricultural, statistics of South Australia, published to day, show that the area under cultivation is 1,734,000 acres, feeing an increase of 275,000 acres compared with last year. The yield during the past season has been 8,606,000 bushels, being a decrease of 5,640,008 compared with the season of 1880. This year’s average has been 4 bushels 58lbs per acre, against 9 bushels 471bs last year-