AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2885, 15 May 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per s s. Eotohua.)

The Matthien, bound from New Caledonia to Newcastle, with copper, experienced heavy gales for six days, and was brought into Brisbane with four feet of water in her hold. The crew were exhausted.

A tender was accepted for ££9,000 for the completion of the main hall of Parlia ment House, Melbourne:

The commercial community of Mcl-

bourne is seriously occupied with the question of contraband war transfers under the American flag. Appeals under the Victorian Land Tax Act against certain classifications, numbering about 157, will shortly be heard. It is asserted that the gross proceeds of the tax will be £60,000 less than was estimated by Mr Berry, and that when the expenses are deducted the first year's return will not be more than £100,000.

The defence works' at Queenscliff and Point Nepean are being vigorously carried on.

The wool ship Bamsey, from Brisbane to London, was observed on fire on January 3, north of Falkland Islands. The fcmoke came up through the main deck, but by great energy the crew were enabled to get the fire under. A number of bales were damaged by water. The fire smouldered several days, and twenty bales of wool were jettisoned.