AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 115, 15 August 1885, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, August 6th.— To-day was the day fixed for selecting land under the new Land "Act, and a large number of applica- ; tions were received at the land offices in all parts of the colony. Sydney, August 7.— New Zealand wheat, 2a 9d ; New Zealand oats, 2s Id ; maize, 3s. The Sugar Company's No. 1 pieces are £26. Sydney, August 7.— Upon receiving intelligence of^ the passing of the Federal Euabling Bill, the Premier of this colony, Sir Alex. Stuart, wired to Sir Saul Samuel, Agent General in London, expressing regret that tho measure has been paeßed in the form described which he stated would prevent New South Wales from joining the Fedeal body. He considers the title of the bill, therefore, is now a misnomer, and suggests that it should be called a bill poviding for a Federal Council for a part of Australia only. Sydney, Augu6b 9.— A case of small-pox has been discovered on board the Messageries Maritimes s.s. Oceanic. The vessel arrived in Port Jackson twelve days ago, and the medical authorities are informed that the eruption was visible on the third day after the vessel's arrival. In consequence of discovery of emall-pox on board the Messagerie's steamer Oceanic, the vessel has been placed in quarantine, i and the patient landed at the quarantine station. The case is stated to be of an extremely serious nature. Sydney, August 10. Two more caßes of smallpox, of a leas dangerous nature, however, than the first one discovered, have broken out on board the s.s. Oceanic, the patients being put ashore at the North Head quarantine station. Fears are entertained that the German corvette Augusta, while on her way to Sydney with relief crews for German vessels on the Australian station, has foundered afc sea, as no tidings have been heard of her. Melbourne, August 6th.— The Victorian Government have decided not to take any further steps to bring about the inclusion ot Victoria in the Postal Union. Melbourne, August 6th.— ln the Legislative Assembly last night, Colonel Smith's motion for a select committee to inquire into the circumstances attending the appointment of Mr Allison D. Smith a8 Assistant Locomotive Superintendent of Victorian railways was rejected by 34 votes to 16. Adelaide, August , 7.— Wheat, 3a lid to 4s ; Adelaide town flour, £9 ; country, £8. Melbourne, August B.— Mr Service's reply to Sir Alexander Stuart's 'communication intimating the inability of New South Wales to join any federal body constituted under the recently-passed Enabling Act has been made public Mr Service hopes that upon further consideration the colony of New South Wales will find no reason for standing aloof from an inter- colonial federation. The Melbourne Omnibus Company have put on 50 new drivers in place of the men on strike. Others are being engaged as soon as possible, bo as to enable the service to be resumed. '• The Military Court is sitting at Queenscliff, by order, to enquire into alleged dissatisfaction manifested by members o: the permanent artillery force stationed there application has been made to the Supreme Couit of Victoria to test tho legality of the sentence lately passed upon the men found guilty of insubordination. Melbourne, August B.— His Honor Judge Higinbothatn has granted a writ of certio'rari'in"tHe;case or the 'two' gunherfe of 1 the* permStieht'Artille*^ force, lately condemned' to a term of imprisonment for insubordina*

tion, on the ground that the officers oomppsing the oour.t marshal had not Bufosoribed ■to the> oath with the visions of the discipline Afit. » >„',,,, . n Mblbqub^e/ Aug#s.t 9.-r ; T^e.,pr^^uB an vers'fl'rikeftag cpin^to^ end, thp men ihaxingj.adppted , the^co^n^endatipn^of a nmnber, pf ,Qitizen^,,wHa cOups^lled them to accept a oompromiae, the '.basis of settlement being a fixed payment for ,eao^,trip f# ,, „ r| „ , \\\C, MELBomRNtf, August 10, -tit i^ underetopd hat, a bijl. accepting the, .provisiong of, Federation Enabling Acidity ]be Breaented to the Victorian Parliament with, tjie least possible delay, i, . ,' , .. .M. M - , Mblbq^rne, August ,10. — A meeting of omnibus drivers ia now being held. Frpm the tone of the proceedings it is probable th^t the, strike wijil be resumed in,, conse'quenoo of .the Melbourne. Ononibus Company not reinstating the t uniopistB, „ , Melbourne, August 10.— It is 'expected that the'first'tttectirig of the Australasian Federal Council will be held at Hobart on an early date next year. ; Melbourne, ' Aug. H — Arrived, this morning, s.s. Kotomahana, from the Bluff. } Adelaide, Aug. 11, — The drought has at length broken up, and rain has fallen in many parts Qf the colony. More is required, hoSvever, Next saseon's' wheat crop is expected to be onl> light, owing to the lateness of the rainfall.