AUSTRALIAN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2866, 1 June 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[Beotke’s Aohncv.J The Budget. Melbouene, May 31. The Treasurer’s Budget statement, introduced in tho Assembly last night, showed that tho revenue for the past financial year was £5,754,000, being £31,000 over* tho tho estimate made in September last. The expenditure amounted to £5,374,000, exclusive of £305,000 paid for the redemption of treasury bonds. Tho revenue for tho present year is estimated at £5,610,000, including balance at 31st March last. The expenditure is estimated at £5,574,000, leaving a surplus of £36,000 at the end of tho financial year 1872-ISS3. The Treasurer proposes to reduce tho excise on beer by

one penny and inland postage to one penny ; also to abolish the tea duty. The total remission of duties will amount to £200,000. It is further proposed to vote £120,000 for the defence force, and £IOO,OOO for irrigation. Tho railways, the statement showed, are returning 4 per cent on a- capital o£ £18,000,000 employed. The statement concluded by announcing that a loan of £4,000,000 will be placed on the London market in January. Seditious Language in Victoria- U An address to the Irish people signed by-Messrs Longmore, Puffy, Brophy, O’Callaghan and Toohey, members of the Victorian Assembly, represents Ireland as under the hoof ot a foreign despotism, and urges that tho country should receive complete freedom. Mr Paterson has given notice of motion in the Assembly, calling attention to the treasonable and seditions language employed by some of its members in the address.

Grain. Malting barley has advanced to 5s 3d to 5s sd. Prices are steady, but the demand is not active. Wheat is quieter but steady at Gs lOd to 7s. New Zealand oats are easier at 4s to 4s 2d for feeding, and 4s 2d to 4s 4d for milling sorts. The wheat market is dnll. Adelaide wheat ex store, is unchanged at 52s ; and Now Zealand do., 61s. Adelaide flour ex warehouse, 355. • Tallow. Australian tallow is fifhi at 42s fid for best beef, and 44s for best mutton. WeatherThe weather is now very wet and stormy. ShippingSailed this afternoon—Union Company’s s.s. Eotomahana for the Bluff. SaleSydney, May 31. At the sale of Campbell’s estate George street, to-day, seven shops realised a total of £95,200. FireBrisbane, May 31. A serious fire has occured at Toowoomba, in the Darling district, resulting in the destruction of several houses. The insurancs include £250 in the National Company of New Zealand;