Australian Telegrams.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2943, 22 July 1878, Page 2

Australian Telegrams.

(Pek s.s. Abawata, at the Bluff.)

(Peg Pbess Agency.)

Melboubne, July 17.

There has little of importance transpired during the week. The Address in Reply has been adopted in both Houses without amendment or discussion.

A Supply Bill for nino hundred thousand pounds, the largest sum yet

included in any temporary Supply Bill, passed both Houses yesterday.

The Government will introduce a Constitutional He form Bill to-day. It is said that t' icy were originally in favor of a nominee Upper House, but became amenable to newspaper influence, and. thus framed the measure as it now appears.

It has been no secret that the relations amongst Ministers were by no means of a most cordial character, and during last week there were current rumors of two resignations, but a peace has been patched

The Minister of Lands has been severely taken to task for the blundering displayed in the administration of his department.

The Minister for Railways was most severely castigated by his own supporters on Thursday night last, and even his colleagues and chief read him a lecture on the floor of the house. Mr Woods made no reply.

The Commissioner of Customs is not at one with his colleagues on the subject of the purchase of the Hobson'sßay railway, so that altogether it is not a very happy family.

The war cry of the Reform Bill will, it is expected, rally the scattered forces of the Ministers and once more bring them well in hand. Sir Arthur Gordon is here en route to England. He leaves to-morrow per Cu3co. As High Commissioner for Polynesia, he yesterday warned a deputation from the JNew Guinea Colonisation Association of the danger they were incurring in proceeding to New Guinea without adequate protection, and pointed out that the proper course was to obtain a charter from the British Government. He told them that every caije would be taken for the protection of British interests, and the prevention of lawless acts. Dr Bradford is still in gaol. Ou Saturday his ysase again came before the Court, when an affidavit was read from Dr Bradford explaining that his hasty marriage was due to the strong affection he felt for the young lady, his being apprehensive that the opposition of one of the guardians would have prevented the marriage (a view which he has since ascertained to be erron ous), and his ignorance that tie was guilty of any contempt of the court. He denied that he was actuated by mercenary motives in manying the young lady. It stated that the settlement he had already signed in New Zealand was made at' the instance of the guardian of the young lady. It professed hit willingness to execute any settlement that the Court might order. AH the relations of the young lady, it was statrd, have expressed themselves that the marriage was ahappy one. His Honor said Dr Bradford appeared to take a much lighter view of the offence than he (Mr Just<«s Moles* worth) did. He would himself prepare minutes of the statement which the master was to prepare before Dr Bradford should be received, and that neither directly nor indirectly would Dr Bradford have any dealing with the property. The decision of the Court was reserved.