Australian Telegrams.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3028, 29 October 1878, Page 1

Australian Telegrams.

(Pee Pbess Agency.)

(Pee s.g, Albion at the Bluff.)

Mklboubnb, October 23.

It is thought here there is a strong probability that the Marquis of Normanby will be the new Governor of Victoria. It i« considered more than likely that Sir H. Robinson will go to. the Cape, and Sir Bartle Frere be moved on to Madras, Jt is understood that the Marquis of Normanby would have much preferred Sydney, and that he was not particularly anxious for appointment to Victoria.

Both Houses hare appointed committees of three to confer on the Reform Bill, but no one is very sanguine of any result being obtained. The members appointed are—For the Council; Sir Charles Sladen, Dr Hearn, and Hon. E. S, Anderson; and for the Assembly-, Mr Berry, Sir Bryan O'Loughlin, and Professor Peterson. They are all men holding extreme views «n one side and the other. All parties are seemingly agreed that some arrangement should be arrived at by which the question oan be settled amongst ourselves, instead of referring it home. The education question is earning some little stir, owing principally to the exertions to obtain a separate grant for their . schools. The Minister of Education, in passing the estimates in the House last week, said the Catholic clergy were responsible for the whole of the agitation. The Catholic laity were quit* satisfied with the working of the present Act if they were let alone, and not continuously* stirred up to action by the clergy. The debate, so far, has been well sustained. The Government expect to close the session shortly, as there are always signs of the approaching end. . It seems as if the Government intend a policy of isolation for. this,colony, so far as die mail service is concerned, and that tenders will be accepted for 4 direct service between Melbourne and .England. . . The collections on Hospital Sunday and .Saturday are about up,to last year. "In many of the churches there is a large increase. 1 Three of the defendants in the case of - I attempting to influence jurors have been sent for trial. The fourth' defendant, •Mann, was discharged, as there was no evidence against him. , A company is in course of formation, I with a capital of twenty thousand pounds, for the establishment of coffee taverns in the metropolis and suburbs. John S. Denny, Secretary to the North Victoria Building Society, has been absent ten days. His whereabouts has not yet been discovered. His defalcations, so far, amount to £1,700; and he has apparently added the crime of forgery to that of embezzlement. Alex. Stevenson, of the firm of Stevenson and Elliott,, coach .builders, was much injured at a fire which destroyed his residence, , asd died from the effects of,the injuries received. , L . „.. A dispute between a contractor for the Eastern Market and the bricklayers, over the Saturday half-holiday, remains unsettled, and the men remain on strike. Business is better, but very little doing on the races., The Cup betting is dull, with no alteration in prices.