AUSTRALIAN.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3932, 5 August 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, Ibis day. Sailed, last evening: The steamship Wakatipu, for Wellington.

In the libel action Goode v. Onslow, a verdict for the plaintiff has been returned, with damages £125.

Melbourne, Thursday. Opening 1 of the Victorian Parlia-

ment.

The Victorian Parliament was opened to day by his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby. In his speech on the occasion the Governor said that during the forthcoming session a bill would be brought down for the amendment of the Land Act, with a view of increasing the area which selectors were now allowed to hold; and others for the extension of railway lines and works of irrigation; that a Hoyal Commission would be appointed to inquire into and remodel the colonial expenditure, and to investigate the working of the present tariff; but that the existing system of protection would not be disturbed. Bills also are to be introduced for the conversion ot loans, and for the issue ot fresh loans amounting to £4,000,000 at an early date, for the extension of public works, for regulation of Chinese immigration, for a readjustment of the land tax so as to include city property ; for new reform j for founding a school of agriculture in the colony, and for various other purposes. In both Houses of Parliament to-day, the address-in reply to the Governor's opening speech was agreed to without opposition.