Australian Summary.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3442, 6 January 1880, Page 2

Australian Summary.

VICTORIA.

The dispute between the Banks and Mr Berry are yet unsettled. The former insist on better terms, refusing the new agreement which Sir B. O'Laughlin terminated.

The public account is already overdrawn two hundred and forty thousand. The Government, it is believed, has no power to withdraw the loan, except for the purposes for which it was raised. It is probable at the general election* ministers will submit a specific proposal for ihe establishment of a NatMpal Bank. , • ■■' w.

Colonel Scratchley has obtained leare from Government to report on the defences ef New Zealand.

Both sides are preparing earnestly for the general election.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

A special train returning from the liawkesbury, races on Boxing Day ran into a train just about to leare the Faramata Station, completely telescoping the hindmost carriages, injuring, it is feared, one person fatally. About 10 others, more or* less, are severely injured. The accident would hare been a terrible one only Richardson, the line Inspector, observed the special approching too fast and shouted to the, passengers on the stationery train to jump out, a large number doing so, as the Hawkesbury engine crashed through several carriages before it stopped. The shrieks of the passengers were terrific, numbers of women being wild with hysterics. Murphy, a laborer, received a frightful jagged wound in the stomach, and Lurdentoo, a brushmaker, was injured in the spine. Sereral ladies were badly bruised. The passengers in the special jumped together, but were not seriously hurt. It is beliered thy accident was caused by the points not being shifted, while the brakes .acted badly. , i

' The Executive bard fixed the execution of Scott and Hogan for January 26, and. commuted the sontence of Williams and Bennett to. imprisonment for life, the first three years in irons. The two last have been remored to. Berrina gaol. It it reported that the tiro condemned men are broken down, especially Rogan. Scott exhibits a mania for writing, and has nearly exhausted the stock of paper in the gaol. The Executive considered the youth of Williams and Bennett, who , were inreighled by Scott. Sixteen convicts, who escaped in the ship Moudemal from New Caledonia were re captured and were all condemned to perpetual imprisonment in irons. QUEENSLAND. The balance of the debentures of the now loan will be forwarded to London by the next Torres Straits mail. The marine surrey of Northern Queensland at the joint expense of the colony and the Imperial Government is discontinued. An extensive fire destroyed McLennan's livery stables and the Sovereign Hotel. Brisbane. They were insured in the New Zealand office for nearly five thousand.