AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3767, 24 January 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Peb s.s. Heeo at Auckland./

NEW SOUTH WALES.

January 17. In the Assembly Mr Buchanan moved a resolution declaring that "in the opinion of the House deposits forfeited at elections shouid not be returned."

Mr Parkes opposed the motion, which was negatived by fifty-nine to five. Mr Buchanan moved the second reading of the Matrimonial Clauses Act Amendment Bill, which is similar to the Divorce Bill which previously received the sanction of th* New South Wales Parliament, and on three different occasions had been sent to England—though unsuccessfully —for Royal assent. The only difference found in the present compared with the previous bills was that its clauses are restricted to persons domiciled in the colony, which he had inserted in order to meet the objections of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who notified that if the restrictions were adopted he would advise Her Majesty to give her consent. The reading was agreed to on a division by forty to fourteen.

Reports received from the country state the drought has broken the dams at Botany. They are unaffected to any extent.

A. letter was received from Mr Forster, late Agent-General in London, stating he was tinware of his having been elected a member of the Assembly in the colony. Although he intended to return to the colony, he was not pressing forward his arrangements.

The fears which have been entertained by the Sydney and Melbourne friends of, Clarkson, who went on a sketching tour for the Illustrated Sydney News and several European papers have been set at rest by his safe arrival from Queensland after an absence of seventeen weeks. VICTORIA. Melbourne, January 17. At a Portland banquet Mr Langridge, replying for the Ministry, said Government had been met with difficulties, and had not had fair play in their endeavour to carry the system of retrenchment, or allowed proper recess to prepare measures for useful and important legislation. Major Smith responded, and said it was necessary to float one more loan in England, after which Victoria will have to depend on her own resources.

Richard Hart, brother to the outlaw, was arrested at Echuca for highway robbery.

A boy of fifteen was arrested at Steighty for shooting a girl of thirteen and wounding her.

The present indications of the wheat harvest are not so good as last year. M

Legal proceedings have been commenced by Herr Wildner, conductor of the Austrian band, against Herr Schoukerger to recover £1300.

At a banquet at Warrnambool, Mr Smith in responding for the Government, said he believed the present Government commanded the respect, esteem, and confidence of the people, more particularly of modern people who believed the' colony was entering a season of unprecedented , prosperity. [ Mr Phillips, one of Leichardt's companions in the first expedition, is livine in I seclusion at the head of Diamond creek. QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, January. 17. The Brooker Islanders again attacked Frier's Bech de mer station at Kadounnay Island, but were repulsed. • LoicJ: bardt, the Explorer, Skuthorpe telegraphs from Blackall Station, " Letter with particulars by mail. Journals and other relics have been for* warded for safety. Have Leicbardt's and Classan's journals of Leichardt's whole trip. Classan's is about half. Both are in a good state of preservation ; also, the telescope with the presentation engraving, compasses, and.other things." The diary of Classan is; to the effect, that he left Leichardt at Saltwater Creek while he searched for water. On returning, he found the party dead. He then joined the blacks, with whom he lived till three years ago. Skuthorpe will not allow anyone to inspect the relics at Blackall, and it is considered doubtful whether they, are genuine. , '

The Nolanffool Reefs near Gringin are reported a failure.

The Queensland Insurance Company's dividend will be 10 per cent., and £2,798 carried forward, :