AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2871, 7 June 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Per s.s. Rotomahana at the Bluff.) Melbourne, May 30. _ The Treasurer in delivering his Budget Speech last night stated that the increase in the Customs was £169,000 ; in territorial revenue, £8000; Public Works, £117,000 (of which £115,000 were from railways). The total increase of receipts the Estimates were submitted showing a deficit of £511,000. This deficit had not only been swept away, but £300,000 of Treasury bonds had been redeemed and notwithstanding this there would bo a balance to carry forward to the ensuing year of £73,770, No more successful result had been achieved by any Treasurer. Mr Elsdon, late Engineer-in-Chief, who was examined on the Bent enquiry,' complains that he was interfered with in his duties.

Mr Alfred ..May, printer of the “ Argus,” who was connected with the office 29 years, died after a brief illness.

About £300,000 still remains to ho expended on defence works. The scheme for the reorganisation of the forces proposes a permanent body of 125 artillery men, a torpedo corps of 92 men, proposed volunteers 680, militia 1210, the whole to cost £64,000. The attention of the Assembly being called to the fact that no search had been made of the islands south of New Zealand for the survivors of the Loch Maree, Sir B. O’Loghleu promised to communicate with Commodore Erskine and request that a ship be taken to search the Islands for traces.

May 31

The Land Bill met with a strong resistance from the Opposition, led by Mr Mirams, who asked the Government to postpone the Bill to the end of the session. He and his friends declared that no Bill should pass until the leasing question was decided by a general election. Finally the Bill was read a first time. Several candidates are announced for East Bourke, but it is believed the contest will lay between Lobb, Ministerialist, and Gray, Eadical. A portion of "the Exhibition building is being fitted up for the purpose of a Government printing office. The premises destroyed were insured for £25,000. At a meeting of shareholders of the Frozen Meat Company, the Chairman referred to the misfortune at the works. Since then the interior freezing chamber had been examined, and the walls found a good deal decayed with dry rot, and saturated with spores of mildew to a considerable extent. The meat was therefore unfit to be shipped to England.

A good strong rain has fallen in all parts of the city. The scheme for a workingmen’s college, to which Mr Ormond contributes £SOOO, has advanced a stage, Government having granted a site. It is believed the working men will raise £SOOO.

The Bishop of Melbourne will visit the Princess Theatre to witness the performance of “Jo,” for the benefit of the Children’s Hospital.

A man named Robert Johnston obtained an introduction to Mr Dwyer, Governor of Geelong gaol, entered the room, locked tho door, and deliberately shot at him. Mr Dwyer held him down till assistance arrived. Mr Dwyer states that Johnston is a total stranger to him, but the latter says he owed Dwyer a grudge. Attention has been called to the great danger from the storage of explosives in the hulks in tho bay, glycerine jolly being tho compound most feared, Sydney. The strike at Newcastle is in progress of settlement. A young Chinese storekeeper, near Mudgec, bus been shot dead by his wife. They had not long been married. The Krug champaguo trophy was won by Pities, the Victorian representative, who won only by twenty lengths - . There were four competitors. An old soldier died in the Liverpool Asylum aged 112. He served under Sir John Moore iu the Peninsular war and under Wellington at Waterloo. Advices from the South Seas state that outrages at Duke of York Island by natives are increasing. Two vessels were lately attacked.

Adelaide. A full Court refused a new trial in the case of Dr Morrison, one of the Insurance convicts. The English and Australian Copper Corffpany have resumed work after the machinery had been lying idle for a year. ■