Australian Telegrams.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3070, 17 December 1878, Page 2

Australian Telegrams.

(PEE I.S. EIHOAEOOMi. AT THE BIUFF.) IPbr Pjbkss Agbncy.) 1 Milbourvs, December 11. Parliament wai prorogued on Friday last with the usual formalities/The Governor't speech recapitulated the work of the Session. He made the following reference to the Reform Question:—l regret, however, that the grave and urgent question of constitutional reform has not been brought to a successful issue, but hope next session you may be* enabled to surmount satis* factorily the difficulties surrounding this important problem;" and in relation to the Embansy:—" My advisers will take steps to carry into effect your expressed wishes for the opening, up of personal communication between' them and the members of the Imperial Government on the subject of existing defects in the Victorian Constitution Act." Mr Berry is now preparing for his European trip and will take bis departure: by the next mail steamer. Previous to his departure there will be a rearrangement of Ministerial officers. Sir Brian O'Loughlen will perform the functions of Chief Secretary, and Major Smith that of Treasurer, while probably the Mining Depart* ment will be amalgamated with the Lands Department. One or two political meetings have been held during the week, and at a Prahran meeting, by a small majority, declared in favor of the Government. On Thursday a Parliamentary trip took place down the Bay in the Nelion, which has been recently cut down and converted into a frigate at a cost of £16,0Q0. Satislaction is felt at the jlcpeptanee by the Marquis of Normanby of t&eGorerndrsh jp of YjetoriaY Jjong and favorable notices of his career in the colonies of Queensland and New Zealand have appeared. At a dinner given to the Cricketers, the

Governor w th* course of his speech •aid-- '** Gentlemen, I will ask permission to digress for amoment and congratulate you on the appointment at my inceeitor in the great office of Governor of Victoria, often called the 'Blue Ribbon' of the colo» nial service, of to able and distinguished a nobleman as Lord Normanby, with such large experience, in the Imperial Parliament and in Colonial administration. It is a singlar fact that Lord Normanby has followed m« as Governor successively of Queensland, of New Zealand and Victoria. I earnestly hope that the whole of hit administration here will be as pleasant and -as prosperous as were -my first fire years in Victoria (applause), and that he will escape any political tempest such as that of the last twelve months."

A fatal case of snake bite occured near Alexandria, Victoria, to a boy who was taking potatoes out of a bag, when he was bitten on the finger.' The usual remedies were applied, but to no purpose. Although only three weeks to the champion races, they are not spoken about. Probably not more than half a dozen will be started. The remit should be with either Warlock, Bhodee or Wellington, all three year olds, carrying seven stone three.

Very little doing at the theatres, but preparations are making for the Christmas pantomime. ' ' ' In commercial circles there is dnlness in all branches of trade still complained of. .'....■ \ v '-.. ■ " . ■

The Kellys stuck up Faithful Creek Station about 2 p.m. yesterday, and have been about the vicinity since; one of them dined at Deboass' Hotel to-day. They brought in a vehicle belonging to Gratzer, a hawker, for the purpose of removing the occupants of the Bank.