AUSTRALIAN.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3835, 13 April 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Melboubne, This day.

Before the breaking ap of the conference of the two committees of the two Houses on the Reform Bill yesterday, an acrimonious debate took place. Berry insisted upon lnamtaiaing the Assembly's

terms. Sir Charles Sladen said the Consul's ultimatum had only been come to after a long delibertiori, and any departure from the same was not likely to take place now. He denied that the Council would have accepted Service's Reform Bill.

In the Assembly last night Mr Berry made a statement concerning the Reform Conference. He said that, after three sittings it had failed to bring about an understanding between the two Houses. ™Le proceedings would be printed, and v,L.ald show that the Assembly had been justified in the course it had followed. He added that it was still open to the Council to give the Reform Bill a further consideration during the fortnight's ad> journment. Murray Smith said he waa satisfied in maintaining that liberal concessions should be made to the Council.

A Meterological conference will hold its first sitting here on the 20th inst. Dr Hector will represent New Zealand.

Sydney, This day,

The Wallsend Company, of Newcastle, has reduced its price to seven shillings for the best coal per ton. Samples of Boorook silver ore have been assayed in London—l7l aid 3-16ths, 53|-, and 41^ sterling respectively per ton. The news has caused some excitement in this colony. Bbisbane, This day.

Mcllwraith, Premier, telegraphs from London that he believes he will be able to -come to terms regarding the Transcontinental railway within a week on a basis of £II,COO for Western, and £12,000 for G-ulf land pcs. 1 mile. Mcllwraith reports regarding the Steel Rails Committee, that he has called no witnesses, as he is satisfied his case has been proved by his adversaries. He sails next week on his relurn voyage to Queensland

Melbourne, Tuesday

The Conference of Committees of the Legislative Council and Assembly broke up to-day, without coming to any agreement, auch being found impossible.

The exhibition jury has recommended Messrs Swallow and Ariell for the Emperor of Germany's prize. The following further awards are announced : —Messrs SchwartzandCo., Christchurch, Wanganui wines, first, fourth and fifth orders of merit; James Smith, Nelson, fourth and fifth orders of merit for wines; Joseph Soler, Wanganui, fifth order of merit for winas.

Sydney, Tuesday,

The G-rand Naval review of the Australiansquadropn under command of Commodore Wilson, took place at Port Jackson to-day. The forces engaged included 15 worships, carrying 15C0 men v . including 300 men of the New South Wales Naval Brigade. The review was followed by a sham-fight, in whtch H.M. ships Wolverine, Emerald, Miranda, acd Connor? it, made ka combined attack upon a point south of Farm Cove, known as Lady -McQuarrie's Ohair, .which was defended by a force of 400 men, with elevea pieces of artillery and three Gatling guns; under protection of earthworks, which had been thrown tip. A large^ crowd assembled to witness the manoeuvres. The demonstration was a complete'success, and passed off with great eclat. The defender." of Lady McQuarrie's. Chair was supported by H.M.S. Alert, and cchooners Alacrity, Beagle, Conflict, llewaad, and Sandfly.