AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2656, 24 September 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Per s.s. Albion at Auckland.) Sydney, Sept 15. A private cablegram from London states the shipment of meat per Cuzco, from the Orange Slaughtering Company’, averaged at the rate of s£d per lb. The total expenses amount to per lb. Aesterday the Mayor returned from an inspection of buildings reported to be unfit for habitation. The Mayor has decided that 42 arc ripe for demolition, and has ordered that steps should be taken to have the others properly repaired. Melbourne, Sept. 16. News has boon received of the discovery’ of a new reef at Moligul, which promises to be extraordinarily rich. Twelve ounces of gold were obtained from four dishes of rubbish. A nugget weighing 87ozs. was discovered in a shallow working. The barque Eden, which came alongside the wharf late on Wednesday from China and Japan, reported that since sailing twelve of her crow died, The vessel was placed in quarantine, and the usual precautions taken. The medical officer at the Heads states that no smallpox existed, the crew having died of the beri-beri disease. The approximate cost of carrying out the sewerage scheme laid down by the prize essay is £275,000, and the annual expenditure of pumping, £'JOO. Applications were made to the Supreme Court yesterday’on behalf of the Highland Hallway Company, Scotland, and others for the judgment creditors to realise on bills belonging to Henderson, the charterer of the Ferret. The bills are valued at £7OOO. The police decline to surrender the bills. The Sheriff has applied for an order to obtain the consent of the Attorney-

General for their surrender. The further hearing of the application is adjourned. The barque Omeo, while beating up the west channel yerterday, was driven against the Swan Spit pile lighthouse. The entire structure gave way, not a vestige being left above water. The men in the lighthouse escaped safely and boarded the Omeo, which escaped with scarcely any damage. A temporary light will be placed on the Spit. A widow named Rome, who was on a visit to her parents at Smythesdale, drowned herself yesterday afternoon, while suffering from religious mania. She had attended religious revivals at Ballarat, where she carried on business as a milliner, and was told by a revivalist that she was commissioned by God to regenerate the world. At the inquest the magistrate expressed a strong opinion that the authorities should interfere in such cases as that under notice.

A large and enthusiastic meeting was held on Wednesday at the Town Hall, under, the auspice of the Salesmen and Assistants’ Union, to promote the early closing of places of business. An address was delivered by the Bishop of Melbourne, and Messrs Murray, Smith, Berry, and Wrixon were amongst the speakers. Two thousand were present. During the bustle of the arrival of the steamer Victorian yesterdaj’’, the detectives arrested a cabman, named O’Brien, who was in the act of removing passengers’ luggage from the steamer. O’Brien broke from Jthe detectives, and jumped into the river. The second mate and steward leaped after him, and brought him to shore. On searching O’Brien’s premises, several hundred pounds’ worth of luggage was discovered.

A meteor of extraordinary size and brilliancy shot over the city, from the zenith due west, yesterday night. The streets were lighted up as by an electric Hght. Doctor Yuill, President of the Central Board of Health, stated at a meeting of the Victorian Branch of the British Medical Association that in the event of an outbreak "of smallpox the Victorian Government had arranged for a revaccination of the entire Victorian population at the expense of the State, At a meeting of the Medical Association yesterday, opinions wore expressed and endorsed by the meeting that the quarantine system at Sydney was a mistake, and increased the ill effects. Adelaide. The Euro inquiry finished yesterday. The Marine Board found the vessel was navigated too close to the shore, and a proper look-out was not kept. The Board decided to send the case on for official investigation. The first meeting of the Bible-in-State-Schools Society was held yesterday. There Was an influential attendance, including Archbishop Farr and many leading members of various churches. The Rev Mr Mead presided. Resolutions were adopted that the syllabus of the London School Board be accepted as the basis of reading the Bible in schools, the reading to be subject to the approval of parents, who, if they choose can withdraw their children while reading is in progress. A public meeting will shortly be called, at which every Minister, Member of Parliament, and teachers will be asked to co-operate. Several European buying firms will be represented here during the coming wool season. At the Caledonian Society meeting, on Wednesday, private subscriptions reaching nearly £SOO were given on behalf of the sufferers by the the late gales in the Shetland Isles. Perth. Lord Gifford, who takes a great interest in the Volunteers, has proposed an encampment of several days, which will probably be held shortly between Perth and Guilford. O’ Graay, master of the Clarence packet, has been arrested on a charge of murdering a Chinaman. His Excellency the Governor is reported to have offered McKenzie Grant £IOOO for the Ximberley pearl found in Legrange Bay. Judges fix the value at £2OOO. The owner goes home by the Bokhara. The pearl is olive shaped, with a perfect and regular surface, and is beautifully lustrous. Several pearls found in the same locality, are valued at 50 and 250 guineas. Brisbane. In the Assembly on Wednesday, Mr Griffiths attacked Government in reference to their connection with the Queensland Bank, and also their position with Morshead’s firm, as agent for the mail steamer. Mr Mcllwraith said the firm was only an agent with others for filling ships, and not in any other way as agents of the company. Regarding the Banks, he maintained that there were no conflicts of interest, and that he was not a director.

Smellie Company’s foundry and iron works and shipbuilding yards have been purchased by Messrs Smith, Forrester and Company for £IB,OOO. A paragraph in St, George’s “ Standard” of Saturday last states that Skuthorpe has arrived there. He persistently asserts that he has the Leichardt relics, and will produce them when sufficiently remunerated. He states they include Leichardt’s and Classon’s diaries, and a telescope and compass in good preservation.