AUSTRALIAN.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4050, 21 December 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydnet, This day.

A farewell banquet was given to Sir Henry Parkes, Premier, last night, when over one hundred members of Parliament were present, together with a number of leading citizens. The affair was a great success.

It is currently stated that Dr Eenwick, Secretary of Mines, will succeed Hoskins as Secretary of Land, and that Mr B. H. Abbott will be appointed to the portfolio of Mines.

Two fresh cases of small-pox in Wool* loomooloo have been reported to-day. 1 Bbisbane, This day. A serious fire occurred last night in Petrie Terrace in this city, resulting in the destruction of several houses. The insurances include £400 in New Zealand offices.

Sydney, Tuesday. Both Houses of the New South Wales Parliament were prorogued to day by his Excellency the Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, who, in his speech on the occasion, reviewed the chief events of the past session. With reference to the Chinese Immigration Regulation Bill, the Speech stated that, in its present form, the measure would attain the desired object without inflicting any injury upon the Chinese now resident in the colony, and without in any way prejudicing the commercial relations of the. colony with China. The Speech then referred to the Act under which the procedure of the City Police Courts hare been modified, and described the change which has been introduced as being a great improvement, and as giving much satisfaction to the public. The new Licensing Act was a great benefit to the community, connecting, as it did, the operation of the law with the responsibility of the citizen. Railway extension was making rapid pro » gross, and would continue with vigor. The financial position of the colony was satisfactory, and the revenue bad been well sustained. Parliament stands prorogued to the 28th of February next.

Melbourne, Tuesday. The cricket match, English team versus the Eleven of Victoria was continued today. The weather during the day was fine, and the wicket more lively than yesterday. The English continued their second innings, which closed fur 198, Shrewsbury being not out for 80. a The Victoria team then went in for .'their second innings, aud were disposed of for 75 runs. The bowling of the Englishmen was dead on the wicket, but their fielding was weak. Great excitement prevailed towards the conclusion of the game, which thus resulted in a victory for the the English by 18 runs. The scores are as follows :—First innings—Englishmen, 146; Australians, 247. Second innings— Englishmen, 198 ; Australians, 75. Brisbane, Tuesday. Sir Joshua Bell, President of the Legislative Council, while driving in a cab to day was seized with a fit, and died suddenly. The cause of death is believed to have been apoplexy. The deceased was 55 years of age. He had held the position of President of the Council since March, 1879, and was created a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George last month. Perth, Tuesday. H.M.S. Nelson, Commodore James Erskine, which is under orders to relieve H.M.S. Wolverine as flagship of the Australian Squadron arrived here to day.