AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3042, 28 December 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tbleokafh.j (Per s.s. To Anau at Auckland). Sydney.

The elections have resulted in pro. nounced opposition to the Government land policy by 85 of a majority. The Premier has been urged to f"how the constitutional precedent and resign before the meeting of th« House, hut it would seem that he still inclines to the idea that he will have a majority. How. ever, it is possible the present Government may meet the new House, obtain supplies and then announce their resignation. There are altogether 50 new members elected. Those of the old members who have suffeie I defeat were supporters of the Government. The Treasurer, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Mines are without seats.

On the morning of the 18th a collision between two goods trains occurred at Kakumba A largo American engine was thrown off the line and nimh damaged. Another collision occurred on the following morning on the Middle Z>gzag line. One train ran into another, smashing three cattle trucks, but no further injury was done. Canon Walsh Prijst, a friend of the late Bishop Solvvyn, has died, aged 70. Melbourne, Dec. 21, In the'Assembly on Wednesday Sir Bryan o‘Loghlen moved that the House adjourn till tin 9 ! •> January. Mr Francis protested that the time was too short, and mpved the adjournment to the 13th February, saying that rather than sit during January, after a lons session, he would retire from public life. The amendment was carried, and the Supply Bill for 4140,000 passed. Among the expiring laws to be renewed is the Lmd Bill, which will be continue I lor twelve months. Two Chinamen have been imprisoned in a drive in a mine at Bunigong. A number of men are working vigorously trying to extricate them. The Legislative Assembly Chambers are to be lit with the electric light. At a meeting of the Police Commissioners, Chief Commissioner Clnmley recommended the disbandment of the detective force ns at present organised. He deni "d that promotion in the general force was gained by Masonic or Orange influence. . A Masonic welcome on a grand scale has been given to Sir W. J. Claiko. Adelaide, Dec 22. The trial of Patrick and Elizabeth McGee for the Harnley bridge murder has been concluded, and resulted in n verdict of wilful murder. Both prisoners seemed overcome wilh terror. The female prisoner having alleged she was eudenle , the Chief Justice decided to pronounce sentence at once and directed the Sheriff to empannel a jury of matrons to testify to the female prisoner’s condition. Arrangements are being made for a determination of Australian longitudes next year, when tin boundaiy line between South Australia and Queensland will be defined. A gentleman win has taken up land on the Herbert river has started sheep farming with fifteen thousand owes and a hundred rams. Ho hopes within three years to have a hundred thousand sheep there.