AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2691, 3 November 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per s.s. Albion at the Bluff.) Melbourne, Oct. 27. Some sensation has been caused by the apprehension, on the Commodore’s warrant, of a bandsman belonging to to H.M.S. Bacchante, after being discharged by Judge Higginbotham, on the ground that the bandsman was not under the Discipline Act, and therefore could not he treated as a deserter. The sum of £533 has been remitted to Scotland in aid of the Shetland Islanders.

Strong disapproval is expressed at the report of the Police Commission, and it is expected the Government will give effect to its recommendations. The censures passed on some of the officers are considered unmerited. A meeting has been held at Wangaratta, under the auspices of the Mayor, to protest against the proposed reduction of Sergeant Steele, who distinguished himself at the time of the capture of Ned Kelly. The position of the Victorian Cabinet has been sensibly weakened by the proceedings arising out of the appointment of the Education Commission, but the Government are believed to have a substantial majority. Nothing has been heard of the missing steamer Balclutha, and it is belived that her cargo, 300 tons of blue stone, shifted during a gale, causing her to founder. The steamer Richmond encountered the same gale, and the captain was washed overboard and lost. The South Australian Government are making arrangements for the introduction of Coolie labor from India to the Northern Territory mining districts.

The Queensland transcontinental railway survey party report favorably of the country traversed. The case of Thorpe, teller of the Bank of Victoria has excited much interest in Melbourne. He positively declined to give np the interest accrued from his investment of the Bank’s money. He denies being concerned in the recent robbery of notes, but believes he has been arrested on that charge. Thorpe’s salary was formerly £540 a year, but it has been gradually reduced tq&3oo, and it was to recoup himself with the interest that he deposited the money taken. The case was heard at the Police Court yesterday, before a full Bench, the Court being crowded. The principal evidence in the case was given by Matheson, the General Manager, who testified to Thorpe having endeavored to exculpate himself by asserting that Shaw, the manager in his (Matheson’s) absence, took £395 in cash, depositing a cheque, which remained in Thorpe’s possession eighteen months. Thorpe asserted also that Shaw took another sum of £297, which was represented by cheque until a {recent date before or after the robbery of notes. Matheson declared that Shaw had authority to take two or three months’ salary in advance, but .to make the matter regular it should have come before the Board. He had not himself made enquiries as to the truth of Thorpe’s assertions. Finally Thorpe was committed to stand his trial.