Australian Telegrams.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3046, 19 November 1878, Page 2

Australian Telegrams.

(Pteß B.S. BlN&ABOOMA AT THE BItJFF.)

Melboubnb, Now 13.

The proposed mission to England has been the'principal topic of the past week. It hat long been talked about, but last week the Chief Secretary brought down a rote of five thousand pounds on: the supplementary estimates for the expense of the Commissioners. The names of the three gentlemen hare not yet been officially mentioned, but they are supposed to be Messrs, Berry, Pearson and Sir Charles Gayan Duffy (Speaker). In the Assembly the latter (Duffy) contradicted the statement, saying he would not accept any office so long as he was Speaker. A great deal of interest is felt throughout the country, and many members addressing their constituents took the ground that no embassy should proceed to England until an appeal had been made to the people. The Reform League, however, declared in faror of the mission, one of their arguments being that while the squatting and monetary interests are re-,

presented in London, the Liberal part of the colony was not. Ministers continue to push on 1 the vote, and so far have expressed a determination to go to Downing street—not with the Kef'orm Bill, which passed the Assembly by a large majority, but to ask the secretary to take steps, in and grant such aid as will prevent deadlocks and secare finality in legislation.

A letter from Sir Chas. McMahon, read in the House, showed that he was, offered the Agent-Generalship by Mr Francis, thea Premier, but he declined. He could not accept the position with honor while acting as Speaker, and he declined to make the chair a stepping stone to office.

At tbe IV'ayor's inaugural dinner on Saturday night the Governor made a farewell speech, saying that lie would not leave an enemy behind him. '

The Government want to bring the session to a close in the course of two or three days; probably the prorogation will take place next week.

The bushrangers are still at large, and although numerous police parties have been put, not a trace of the gang has been seen. Some ludicrous incidents occurred in connection with this affair. The police parties, all dressed "as bushmen, fired into each other, and wherever seen have been reported as Kelly's gang. The.men are all disguised as much as possible/ and armed with rifles and mounted. •

The race meeting just closed has been the most successful ever held in Melbourne as regards attendance and financial results. Close upon forty-three thousand people were conveyed by rail to the. course on cup day. The settling has been | against the bookmakers, as Calamia was largely backed when the weights! were first issued, and so many favorites won .during the meeting. The doable, Lord Harry and Lonehand came off, and was very disastrous. It is said that not less than.one hundred thousand pounds will change hands over the meeting.