MELBOURNE.

West Coast Times, Issue 78, 2 December 1865, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

(from our own correspondent.) Wednesday, November 22. The lost tow days have been rife with political events. Ministers, ns they proposed, sent up the Tariff Bill to the Legislative Council, puro and simple ; and, as was expected, it was summarily rejected. Tbo second reading was ap. pointed for Thursday, the 10th instant; and after a short debate, in which the Protectionist members refused to take part, on the ground that the question had been deoided in secret conclavo, a majority of nineteen votes to five sottled the fate of the much disputed measure. There was, of course, a deal of curiosity as to Ihe intentions of Ministers ; and when it was ascertained that they hid proceeded to Toorak, a rumor of resignation acquired additional strength. The mo3t interested were the merchants. On repairing to the Custom House in the morning, our traders found that the authorities had discontinued the collection of the new duties, so long levied under the authority of the resolutions of the Assembly, j though, curioufily enough, they still admitted tea and sugar nt tho reduced rates those Resolutions had authorised. Tho impression on the mercantito mind was that somo oversight had been committed, but at any rato tho opportunity was too good to bo lost ; and during the day tho Custom House presented a wild sceno of oxoitemont, the long room being blocked up witli a orowd of importers, dorks, and agents, Booking to pass entries, and withdraw goods from boud. Ono firm (L, Stovonson and Soh) had fifteon clerks at work. So great was tho rush, that at last tho doors had to bo shut on tho struggling traders. Tho entries passed on Friday and Saturday, howevor, will clear tho bohded warehouses and tho ships iv tho Bay of dutiable goods, and will involvo a loss of tens of thousands of pounds 10 tho revenue, more especially as of courso tho claims mudo for tho return of duties levied under thG Resolutions can bo no further contested. Ministers have played thoir cards badly in a rovonue pdint of view, and thoir immediate supporton) aro just now not at all onthusiastio, They havo not kept thoir intontiona concealed long. Moot is to be given to Mr M'Cullooh's "warning" , to tho Legislative Counoil, and tho rejected tariff is to bo oolleotcd in the guise of registration dues, levied under that

elastia measure which allows 2d to be charged on eaoh " unit of entry," and leaves tho Governor in Counoil to define what a " unit of entry" shall be. A more wharfago rato is levied on most goods, but on others — those affected by the Assembly's tariff— a substantial charge is imposed, equal, in fact, to what the new duties would have been. Where importers will feel the present system tho most is that the fees must bo paid in cash ; there can bo no bonding, and no drawback on exports, unless, indeed, tho Minister of Customs should issue another edict outside tho law. The followiug list contains tho heavy charges now levied in addition to tho old tariff, and will convoy an idea how thoobsoleto "Units of Entry" Aot has been manipulated. Unit op Entry, Dried and preserved fruits and vegetables, nuts of all kinds ... 5 owt. Butter, cheese, candles, bacon, lard, haras, starch, soap, confectionery, biscuits, comfits, Bweetnieatß,Buccadcß,,jdtns maccaroni, vermicelli, preserved meats, nnd salt fish . ... 2 lb. Salt 20 lbs Vinegar 1 quart Varnish \ pint Cocoa and chocolate lib Salted provisins, including fish, not othorwiso enumerated ... 4lb Doors , ... 3 sup. ft* Window glass 3 sup. ft. Plate of gold, gold watches or parts thereof, jewellery ... i dwt. Plate of Bilver, silver watches or imitation 3 dwt. Barley £ bushel Oats I bushel Millinery and all articles made up from fabrics of silk or silk mixed with other materials . . 48 cubin in. Apparel and slops, and all articles made up wholly or in part from fabrics of wool, cotton, linen, or mixed materials (except bags), boots or shoes, hosiery, and gloves, hats, caps, and bonnets (untrimmed) saddles, harness, and leatherware 72 cubic in. Manufactures of silk, or of mixed materials, of which the greater part is silk 4 cubio in. Musical instruments 144 cubic in. Carriages 144 cubio in. Glass and glassware 144 cubic in. Chinuwuro and pdrcelain 288 cubio in. Oilmen's stores not otherwise enumerated 288 cubio in. Furniture .. .;, ... 288 cubic in. Toys, turnery • ... 288 cubic in. Woodenware, brushware „, 288 oubio in. Nickelware, earthenware ... 288 cubio in. Woollen blankets and ruga ... 144 oubio in. The outside agitation is subsiding, in fapt, seems already to have come to a natural |nd. Peoplo don't know what to make of passing events. Ministers aro far too popular to be undermined without a hearing, and their, statement a« to revenuo losses, which will probably be made to the Assembly to-morrow, is afilkiously expected. Sir Charles Darling, who is still working hand and glove with his responsible advisers, is confined to Toorak by a severe attack of rheumatism. A sad acoident ocourred in Hobson's Bay early this morning. The City of Launceston had shipped the English mails for Tasmania, and was steaming, out when she came into collision with the Penola, s.s., inward bound from Adelaide. The City of Launceston received such damages that she sunk in deep water, though fortunately not before the passengers had been transferred. Mails, cargo, and everything else was lost. The bulk of tho mails havo since been recovered by divers. Mr Barry Sullivan and his critics are still waging letter war with eaoh other to the edification of tho town. The manager is playing Boucieault's lost Irish pioco "Arrah na Pogue," and has made a decided hit with it. He con* tinuoa hl« oxtraordiunry v lottore to tho publio" ancnt tho treatment he receives from the press and the weekly papers— these he specially anathematises — find side-way means of reply. A good deal has been writton and said of late regarding the management of the Government Institution for neglected nnd deserted children, at Sunbury. The Age is now publishing a series of reports whioh, if true, shows gross oarolessness on the part of the officials, and the children, it is alleged, have been kept in dirt and ignorance, and have beon badly and under fed. It is certain that the itoh and other loathsome diseases havo broken out amongst them. An official enquiry has been ordered. Friday, November 24. ( Passongors not coming forward freely for Hokitika, the departure of all the steamships has been repeatedly postponed . There is therefore an opportunity for an important postscript. Ministers announced yesterday evening that they had determined upon a dissolution without passing any Appropriation Bill. His Excellency will prorogue the ,two Houses on Friday next, aud the eloctlohs aro. to be proceeded with at once. Sir Charles Darling .is said to have strongly urged the dissolution, in consequence of the despatches he received this mail, making it advisable that the Ministry should show whether they really possess the confidchco of the country or not. A motion of " want of confidence" has bc'e'n tabled, and will be debated this evening. The prosecution against Mr Tyler, <jdll6ct6r of Customs, is proceeding in the police cdurt. ♦ — (For remainder of News and Advertisemerits, see Supplement.)