AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2793, 7 March 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Bingarooma at the Bluff.) Melbourne, Feb. 28. A proclamation was issued yesterday summoning Parliament for the despatch of business for April 25th. The Governor has returned to town from a country tour. Government has been running water trains to country districts where the drought has been most severely felt. A number of destructive bush fires have taken place, causing a good deal o£ damage to property. Rain has fallen, but the rainfall this year is as yet inappreciable. Recent Customs seizures, amounting in value to £3OOO, have caused a great scare among the Chinese. Oases represented as containing Chinese products, and classed as merchandise, really contained cigars and tobacco. Street fights between larrikins and the police are becoming more frequent, and the magistrates are inflicting severe sentences.

The Bishop-of Melbourne has hesitated to comply with a request to issue forms of prayers tor rain as nobody heeded the warning to conserve water, and it seemed to him absolutely impious to cry to God and neglect His own providential indications of His will. The cricket match English Eleven against Eleven of Victoria excited a fair amount of interest. The principal features in-the play were the, brilliant batting of Bates, who scored 84, and the bowling of Peate in the second innings of the Victorians. Palmer also did good service for his side. Slight was injured by being struck with the hall while fielding, and Kelly took his place, and fielded in his old place at point in his usual brilliant style—so much so that, as a substitute, the English Captain had him removed from that position. Rain fell on Sunday, and made the ground rather dead. Adelaide, Feb. 28.

The Kussian squadron arrived on Sunday and proceeded to the anchorage unperceived. Their stay will only extend to a few days and they will then proceed to Albany. Perth, Feb. 28

Forrest’s report upon the country between Beverley and Albany has been issued, and is most favorable for railway construction, The estimated cost of the 220 miles is £693,000 Brisbane, Feb. 28 The Queensland Cabinet has decided to forward to London a detailed answer to General Fielding’s proposal for the construction of the Transcontinental railway from Mitchell to Point Parker, and the new Australian syndicate will bo allowed a certain time to make an offer. There are now two colonial syndicates in the field competing for the construction of railways to connect Brisbane with the Southern capital by way of the great southern and western plait*.