AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 29, 22 December 1883, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, December 13. — A naval engagement has taken place between vessels belonging to the Haytian Government and steamers belonging to the insurgents. Severe losses and considerable damage were suffered by both sides.

Melbourne, Decomber 13.— Lord Rosebery arrived here to-day from Sydney.

Mkm)ournk, December 17. — The Hon. Graham Berry, one of the Victorian delegates to the late Sydney Conference, has returned to Melbourne. The "Vagabond," Julian Thomas, who went to New Guinea to carry on the exploration commenced by Captain Armit, special corespondent of the "Argus," has returned to Cooktown. The "Argus " this morning announces that its expedition to New Guinea has terminated for the present.

Sydney, December )3. — The Land Bill was brought up for discussion in the Legislative Assembly last evening, and has met with a persistent stonewalling from the Opposition benches. The Government are equally determinod to oarry the measure through, and the House has now been sitting for twenty-four hours continuously.

Sydney, Dec. 14. — - The debate on the Land Bill was continued in the Legislative Assembly until an early hour this morning when the motion foy the second reading oi the bill was carried on a division of 76 votes tolG.

Sydney, December 14. — A question has been raised here regarding the validity of the appointment of Mr 0. H. Reid to a seat in the Executive Council, to which he was appointed in January last with the portfolio of Public Instruction. It is affirmed that Mr Beid's seat in the Legislative Assembly is jeopardised by virtue of tho Constitution Act, under which no provision is made for tho appointment in question.