AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.
It is whispered that on of the lessees of the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, is quite unhappy. But why ? The pantomime draws large houses ; why, then, should he be discontented ? His grievance is that in lieu of the fixed rent, the lessees pay to the proprietors ?0 per cent of the gross receipts. Thus, when the receipts reach £ISOO per week (as they do), the rent to be paid is £3OO per week. When a shareholder mischievously suggested a day performance to the malcontent lessee—" What," said he, " pay rent twice in one day ! "
The Victoria Railway department has called for tenders for the construction of .ten saloon carriagos. These saloon carriages, which will of course not be divided into distinct compartments, like the old-fashione~d, ordinary first-class carriages, will be cool insunimer,and otherwisoadmirably adapted for the accommodation of excursion parties. The Australasian says a statement lias been circulated to the effect that nearly all of the selections in the Wimmera district which were recently forfeited for dummyism were being again taken up ty dummies. As the new applications for these lands have not yet been dealt with by the Lands department, no definite official information on the subject is available ; but according to the knowledge which the department at present possesses, the statement in question is a gross exaggeration.
The Prospectors' Company at Stockyard Creek have declared its first dividend. It amounts to £SOO, being sixpence per share, and there are 32,000 shares. The Golden Bar tributes are getting up some rich stone. Coarse gold could be seen iu it freely. Tho Victorious Company's shaft was bottomed to-day on the side of a high reef. None of the claims on the Bennison Flat are getting payable gold, except Wilson's, and as a number of shafts have been bottomed without findine: gold, the miners are getting discouraged. The Benuison Company had their first washing. Only about half a machine was puddled, and it yielded very little. A seaman lately, whilst bathing alongside a steamer in Darling harbor, was seized by a shark, which tore the flesh off the man, and it is likely that he will lose his leg. Dissensions among the cricketers at Sydney continue, and the brothers Gregory are unlikely to play in the match. The Cricket Association intend to give a public reception to the English players, and invite them to a breakfast.
The improvers at Mort'sdock works, who joined the strike, have been fined £5 at the Water Police Court; to be reduced to a nominal fine if work is resumed.
The Australasian Mutual Provident Society's amended rules have received the Royal assent.
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Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1147, 3 February 1874, Page 4
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437AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1147, 3 February 1874, Page 4
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