Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Tuesday 23 December 1879, page 4


NEW SOUTH WALES.

Parliament is sitting, bat will shortly be brought j to a close. On the 10th ¡nit., in the AMemblj-, the j Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Watson, made hil ünanoial

statement. He announced that the recepits of the year wero expected to fall Bhort of tbo estimate to the extent of £071,314, leaving an actual deficiency of £200,047, which he proposed to charge against tho surplus ruvenuo account. He estimated the expenditure for 18S0 at £4,984,183, and revenue from existing sources at £4,761,875 He proposed new taxation to tbe amount of £308,500, made up as follows :-Stamp duties, £150,000 ; spirit duty incressed from 10s to 12s.. £100,000 ¡ wine duty from Ga. and 4s. to 10s. and 5-. per gallon, £12,000 ; excise on colonial ale, beer, and porter, £37,500 ; duty on imported ales increased from 9d. to la. per gallon in bottlo, and Gd. to 9d. in wood, £13,000 ; tobaoco duty, leaf from Is. to ls.^d. per lb., manu-factured 2s. to 2s. Gd., and 3d. duty on tobacco manufactured in the colony, £40,000 ; altogether making up a sum of £358,500 additional taxation. The debate was adjourned. The second reading of the Education Bill was carried in the Assembly by an overwhelming majority.

The education question is still exciting great attention, The new bill is strongly opposed both by Episcopalians and Roman Catholics. In his latest lecture, Archbishop Vaughan defended him-self from the obarge of having stirred up the agita-tion, accusing the secularists of doing so. He endorsed the views expressed by Bishop Barker, and exhorted his hearers to join the Church of England party in opposition to the abolition of denomi-national schools. He announced that a denomi-national union was about to be established. Some of the leading members of the Church of England propose taking steps to keep their schools open

without Government aid.

The event of the month has been the trial of the four Wantabadgery bushrangers—Scott, alias " Moonlite," Bennett, Rogan, and Williams. They were charged with the murder of Constable Bowan and robbing under arms. The trial took place in Sydney, and lasted several days, intense interest being in it, as was evidenced by the crowds at the court. Mr. Justice Windeyer was the presiding judge. Scott defended himswlf very ably, cross-examining the witnesses at great length, and speaking for nearly seven hours in his defence. The other prisoners were defended by counsel. The jury after about two hours' delibera-tion returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners, but recommending Rogan, Williams, and Bennett to mercy. On the usual question being put to the prisoners why sentence should not be passed upon them, Scott, in a rambling speech, professed to be careless of his fate. He said he would die like a man, and complained that his trial had been unduly hastened, and that although the jury might not think so, be believed they were influenced, and could not help being influenced. He also asked (if it were not contrary to law) that his body should be given up to his friends with a view to his being buried at Gundagai, where Nesbitt is buried. Williams and Bennett displayed con-siderable emotion. The judge, in passing sentence, made a very severe speech against the prisoners, and warned them to be prepared for death. Some points reserved during the trial are to be argued this week. The Government have suitably re-warded the constables who captured the bush-rangers, and have made provision for the wife and family of the late Constable Bowen.

The Exhibition continues to be a great attraotion, and it is expected that daring the Christmas holi-day! there will be an immense omah. Since the opening about 450,000 person« have visited the

Exhibition.

Mr. Stuart having been appoint«! Aoart-Gaoaral in London, hia seat in the Assembly for East Sydney became vacant. There was an exoiting contest for a new member, the result being-Dr, Renwick, 4,668 ; Tooth, 2,744 ; majority for Renwick, 1,924. Renwick's majority took Mr. Tooth's rapportera by surpris*. The result ia con-sidered a triumph for the Education Bill, Mr. Tooth I being in favour of denominational schools.