MELBOURNE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2170, 17 December 1875, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

December 8. The budget debate continues unfinished, but as most of the principal speakers hare addressed themselves to the subject, but very little of interest remains. There is a section of the Opposition determined to prevent the progress of business until a dissolution is obtained.-' * :. ' The case of Mr Mason, member for Gippsland, adjudged by the racing committee to be a defaulter, has been brought before the Assembly. The Government were asked to deal with case, but the Premier declined to be a judge of the characters of hon. members, and refused to take any action. Mr Mason has commenced a libel action against the .Age newspaper for a very strong article which appeared in that journal. The notorious cmvict Weechurch, op Taylor (his real name), has suffered the extreme penalty of the law. He was executed on Monday : last, •; and••,died asserting his innocence of the charge of attempt to murder. Scarlet fever still continues, and the number of deaths, from this cause has increased. The war steamers Pearl and Dido are here waiting the arrival of Commodore Hoskins by the mail. . He is expected at the end of the week. The Tasmanian cable is broken for the first time since it was laid down in 1869. The barque Tien Tsin foundered on the east coast of Tasmania. The crew were saved; TShe' was abound' froiniNewcastleV \ -Great dissatisfaction is'-felt* at rthe' present means of communication with Europe; Since the cable has been interrupted messages are transmitted by steamer anyhow, and without the slightest regard to dates. . - .■■-. . ,