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NEWS OF TILE DAY.
It appears from a cable message from oaf
London correspondent, which wo publish this
morning, that the senso of tho Liberal party
has been taken with regard to the proposal to
establish an Irish Parliament, and that a
majority ia opposed to any such concession.
Sir. Parnoll will thereforo probably throw tha
weight of his inilueneo for tlio present into tho
Conservative scale. The Agents-General have
expressed themselves favorably with regard to
the condition of tlio proposed federal ocean
mail service, and tenders will bo advertised
lor forthwith. A lerritic snow storm, rivalling
that of February, 1881, occurred yesterday iu
England. The comparative immunity from
Uicso disturbances enjoyed by tlio old conntry
for several decades, and their recent recurrence,
though not in consecutive years, will famish
additional material for meteorological specula
tion. t
Respecting the interminable Eastern ques
tion, the latest cable' news states that the
3-owers cannot agree as to tho settlement of
tho imbroglio between Serviu and Bulgaria,
and that they are endeavoring to arrive at a
conclusion through tho meaus of tho Porte.
It remains to ho seeu whether the astute poli
ticians at Constantinople will bo tho catspaw
of ouo or other of tho fivo Great
Powers interested, or through thoir divi
sions and jealousies succeed in controlling the
situation. Moukhtar Pasha, tho commissioner
specially dctuilod to proceed to Cairo, at tha
pressing instance of Sir Homy Drnmmond
Wolff, has reported nufavorably on the situa
tion, as was to bo expected, but it is not easy to
see what fruit Lord Salisbury can lookforwurd to
from tho English envoy's mission to Constanti
nople.
Tho Premier recently placed himself in com
munication with tho Governments of tho other
colonies iu tho Australian group, suggesting
that a combined effort should ho nut-jo to
secure the admissiou of colonial wines into
the English market ou mora favorablo con
ditions than aro in operation at present
Mr. Servico has now received a reply from Mr.
Griffith, tho Premier of Queensland, who,-
writing on 31st December, says : — " In reply
to your letter suggesting the desirableness of
united action on tho part of tho Austra
lian colonies interested iu obtaining a reduction
of tho duty on Australian wines admitted into
tho Umtod Kingdom, I havo the honor to in
form you that this Government entirely concur
in tho views indicated in your letter, and will
willingly co-operato with the other colonies to
bring about the desired concession, X beva
caused a telegram to be forwarded to the Agent-
General for this colony, requesting him to join
with the other Agents-General in making re-

precaution to th# Imperii! Government on
tlili subject,"
Unusually 1ic.it/ rains fell in Melbourne yes
terday. Dp to nine o'clock last night the rain
fall registered «t the Government Observatory
was 237 inches The nterngo rainfall lor
January is 1-72 inches, anil although yesterday
was only the 7th, 2-37 inches hud fallen. In
January, 1UIM, souio Tcry heavy inins fell, as
much as 250 inches being registered in twenty-
lour hours, and the total amount of rainfall for
that month lieing -t -75. January. 1872. was
another very wet month, 492 inches having
fallen. The weather lost night was still
unsettled, the barometer foiling a lit tie.
The rainfall seems to have hecn pretty general
throughout the colony. Our country corres
pondents in various districts reported last even
ing that tire hot weather had liroken up
and been succeeded by rain. At Balhirat
a serious flood occurred.' At Nliill, 3! inches
fell during Wednesday and yesterday; at.
Inglewood, 243 inches were registered ;
at Donald, 259 inches fell during the
amc period ; at St. Arnuud, 223 inches were
registered in twenty-four hours ; at Swan
Dill, 128 inches ; and at Gordon the
extraordinary quantity of 560 inches fell
iu thirty hours, ltep'orts from places in tho
neighborhood of Gordon stato tliut a good deal
of damage had been douo to lioavy standing
crops, and that, the hay and cereals out and
stroked would have lo ho ro-npeuod and spread
out to dry when the weather cleared. Heavy
floods were reported to have tukeu place iu the
low lying districts around Gordon, and if the
rain continued much longer, serious losses to
farmers wore apprehended, as there were still
tliousauds of acres uf crop to ho harvested.
i'lic Water Supply department yesterday re
ceived information that SO points ot rain lia:l
fallen nt Yuu Yean up to Wednesday evening,
the depth of water now in the reservoir bciug
19 feet 4 inches. There is little doubt that
the watershed which supplies the Yau Yeau
reservoir received its share of the copious rains
which fell yesterday. On Tuesday, when the
heat was so great, the output from the reser
voir was 24.000,000 gallons ; bat on Wednes
day it fell to 18,000,000, or' 0,000, 000 gallons
less.
Tho extensive alterations at tho Melbourne
Post Office that have for some lime past
been in contemplation hv the Govern
ment are to he undertaken at once.
The plans and specifications in connection
with the work of adding another story
to the building having been completed,
and all other necessary arrangements made,
..tenders arc now invited for tho making of tho
-'additions decided on. Tenderers arc asked to
state tho price of the work iu Standi stone,
and also in Tasmaniau freestone, tho latter
being the mutorial of which the building as it
stands at present is composed. Tho work really
means tbo construction of two additional
stories, and tho raising of tho clock tower to a
height of ubout 150 feet above tho street.
Tho business of tho Post Office officials
will proceed as usual while the work is
iu progress, though tho existing iron roof
will havo to be removed.' In anticipation of
this tho stamp printing department, which
formerly occupied the upper floor, bus recently
heeu removed to tho Exhibition-building.
Portion of the tower will havo to bo taken
down, and tho citizens will have to reconcile
themselves to the loss of the musical chimes
of the clock wliilo the building is in progress.
Tho tower when finished will contain provi
sion for a clock with a dial 13 feet iu diameter
— more thau double the size of the present
ono — aud this will doubtless bo discemiblo at
a considerable distance. When this work is
completed tho Post Oiiico will be aliont half the
size it is intended it ultimately shall he. The
remaining portion will be creeled when re
quired, but it is tho intention of the authori
ties to remove the wooden buildings at the
comer of Elizabeth-strcot aud Post Office-place
as soon as possible, as they are a constant
source of danger from flro.
Tho opening of tho Morwell and Mirboo
lino took place yesterday, and was inudn the
occasion of a demonstration at Mirboo, where
u banquet was held to celebrate the event. A
special train left Princes-bridge station at
half-past uino iu tho morning, and conveyed
about 100 visitors, umongst whom were Messrs.
Murray, Fiiiclmui, aud Toohcy, M.L.A.'s, and
Mr. A. J. Agg, Railway Commissioner. Tho
weather was most unfavorable for any out-door
demonstration, as it ruined throughout the
day. The banquet was held in an un
occupied store in tho township at
ludf-past three o'clock, Mr. O. Ogilvy, J. P.,
presiding. The Government were not repre
sented, the Premier's secretary sending a tele
gram to the chairman and to Jlr. Mason,
expressing regret that under present circum
stances Ministers wero unablo to accept the
invitation to attend. Mr. Mason, in responding
to tho toast of his own health, referred to the
growing prosperity of the district, and expressed
astonishment that South Gippsluud hud not
been included iu tho prospecting vote. lie
considered it a great omission that tho Govern
ment had not placed a sum ou tho estimates iu
assist in prospecting for coal. The proceedings
throughout were of a most successful character,
and bad tho weather been propitious the attend
ance would undoubtedly have been much larger.
As it was, there wero 120 persons present ut
the banquet, uud it was unticiputcd tlmt there
would bo a large party at the bull in the even
ing. . Tho catering was uudor the charge of Mr.
Straker, of Uotbam, and gave complete satis
faction. Mr. C. S. Bigelow's efforts as secre
tary of the banquet committee met with general
approval. Tlio special train left Mirbou at six
o clock and reached iown at eleven p.m.
Tho voxed quostiou of the abatement of the
nuisance arising from tho insanitary condition
of tho Port Mclbourno lagoon was agaiu under
the consideration of the Chief Secretary yester
day, when Messrs. T. Loader uud Clement
Hodgkinson, members of the Harbor Trust,
with Mr. G. A. Mouritz, the secretary, had an
interview with Mr. Berry regarding tho respon
sibility of tho Trust iu tho mutter. A conver
sational discussion teok place, iu the courso of
which Mr. Berry iutiiuatcd that tho responsi
bility of kcepiug tho lugoou in a proper state
must rest somewhere, and his desire was to
sou tho question satisfactorily settled. This,
of coarse, was tho point nt issue.
All tbo bodies interested bud rcpndiutcd any
responsibility. As tbo Harbor Trust were in
possession of tbc lagoon it appeared reasonable
that any responsibilities connected with it
ought to dcvolvo upon them. The Trust com
missioners had already accepted their respon
sibilities so far as tlipy considered their duly
required them to do — that is they had taken
steps to convert tho end of the lagomi
next tho Bay into a liarhor for yachts, boats
and other small craft. The operations of the
Trust, however, did not extend further inland
thau liouse-s tract, and Mr. Berry desired that
that body should undertake the opening up uud
cleansing tho channel of the lagoon us tur us
Graham-street. It was proposed that
the remainder of the lagoon beyond
that limit should he filled iu. Mr.
Loader pointed out that the moment tho Trust
went beyond ltouse-street they would undertake
the work of a sanitary body, wliich would be
altogether outside their propor functions. It
was not likely tho Trust would accept a respon
sibility of that kind. Moreover, tlio
opening of tho lagoon so us to let
the waters of tho Bay in, would cost
a largo amount of money, und the cost of keep
ing it open would represent u considerable
annual expenditure, which would havo to he
borne by the Trust. It was mentioned that the
Trust's largest dredger, the Crocodile, was the
only ono capable of performing tho work
of removing the, sand bar, and sho would be
engaged elsewhere for six mouths yet. Mr.
Berry ultimately said that ho would forward a
letter embodying his views to the Harbor
Trust. An informal understanding was ar
rived at, however, thut the land to be filled up
should be resumed by tho Government, that a
deodorisiug plant should be erected by tlio
local municipalities to the satisfaction of the
Public Works department, aud that tbo local
drainage should, as far as possible, be prevented
from flowing into tbo lugoou. It was remarked
by Mr. Loader that an uct of Parliament would-
be necessary to enable tho Government to re
sume the land. Mr. Berry said that if tho
Trust performed the work he hud indicated
his belief was that there would ho no objection
to their receiving tho uiuuey derived fruru tho
sale of the laud reclaimed by tho filling in of
part of the lagoon.
During the hot summer months lust year
many complaints wcru made to the Bailway
Commissioners, some of which havo been re
newed this year, as to consignments of vege
tables, fruit, dairy produce and fish Incoming
unfit for consumption through waut of re
frigerating cars for their conveyance over long
distances. Tho commissioners gavo instruc
tions for cars to bo specially constructed for
the purpose, and when the freezing works at
Newport were closed tbo refrigerating cars used
for the carriage of meat from Newport to
Williamstowu were distributed over the
railway systems of tho colony between Mel
bourne aud Echuca, Naniurkub, Kynetou,
Kerang, Wycbcproof, St. Anniad, Wodonga,
Mortvell and Sale. Altogether there ore ten
now in use, und others are in course of con
struction. A fish car of peculiar const ruction,
tuedo at the suggestion of people in the fish
trade, is iu use between Melbourne and Sale.
Formerly the fish warn »xiad iu baskets,

placed ono upon another : tlio new car is fitted
with platform for tho fish, and has tho sides
perforated so that a current of air is constantly
passing through it. This car is an experiment,
and should it prove successful others will bo
constructed ou the same plan.
Mr. Kerfcril, on Ihe ocearinu of his retiring
from tho position of head of tho Crown Law
department, has written tho following letter to
the secretary of this department: — "My dear
Mr. Harrimnn, — Will yon kindly convey to tlio
gentlemen engaged iu tlio Crown Law offices
my grateful appreciation of the mauner iu
which they have discharged the duties of their
respective offices during the long period that it
lias liqen my privilege to preside over tlio de
partment as a law officer ot the Crown. I liavo
already expressed my thanks to yourself, Mr.
Sutherland, Mr. Gurner uud Mr. Guinness,
with whom I have been in more immediate
cominuuicutiou. ' I desire now only to place on
record my acknowledgment of tlio valuable as
sistance rendered me by yourself uud all
officers in the department. "With tlio kindest
wishes for your and their welfare, I aui, yours
truly, Geo. B. Kekkemi."
The Commissioner of Trailo and Customs
(Mr. Langridge) received a telegram at half-past
twelve o'clock yesterday from the Customs de
partment at Portland, staling tliut tho light-
bouso keeper at Capo Nclsou had telephoned
that two lisliiug boats with occupants were an
chored iu a dangerous positiou near Capo Nel
son, aiida. strong S.S.E. wind was blowing. The
telegram usked if the lifeboat should lie sent to
the assistance of the fishermen. It was stated
that tho steamer Belliugcr, which was tlieu in
J'ortlaiid Bay, would take out tlio life-bout to
tlio men iu danger. Tho Commissioner replied
by telegram, asking for further information,
ami uu hour afterwards received a second .tele
gram. stating tlmt the wind had abated aud the
men bud got ashore safe.
Arrangements Lave at length heeu uiado
for the members of the New South Wales
Hoyul Commission on Water Supply to visit this
colony and hold a confcrenco with the Victorian
Water Supply Commissioners. Mr. Stuart
Murray, O.E., secretary to tho Vic
torian body, yesterday received a telegram
from tho secretary of tho New South Wales
commission, asking whether it would he con
venient for the Victorian commissioners to re
ceive the New South Wales representatives
about the lotli inst. To this message a reply
was forwarded stating tliut the date named
would suit the Victorian Water Supply Com
mission, who would make every arrangement to
rcceivo tlio members of the New South Wales
commission, who limy therefore bo expected
lo arrive in Melbourne on tlio forenoon of tlic
loth inst. The two bodies will hold a con
ference regarding tho utilisation of the waters
of Australia's greatest river, tlio Murray, and will
also discuss othor questions of 'common interest.
The New South Wales Commissioners, about
seven or eight of whom aro expected to attend,
will also be afforded uu opportunity of inspect
ing Victorian water conservation works.
It is reported us jirobablo that Judge Quinlau
will succeed Judge Nolan, who lias retired, in
conducting tlio County Court business of tho
Western district. Judgo Hickman Moiesworth
is mentioned as likely to take tlio Ballarnt dis
trict, Judge Casey the Gippsluud district aud
Judge Wortliington the North-eastern aud
Northern circuits. Tho judges will arrange
amongst, tiwiuselves regarding tlio charge of tho
metropolitan County Court duties.
The Minister of Agriculture lias received a
sample of preserved milk from Messrs. Jack-
man und Co., of tlio Pioneer Dairy, lloniscy.
Sir, Jackiuaii puts the milk through a process
of condensation without, however, addiug any
substance as a preservative. Tlio sample
wbicli bo loft at the Agricultural department
yoslerdaywas sixteen days old and was per
fectly fresh. It will be tested itgaiii at the end
of a fortuight. Attempts ut preserving milk
so that, it will kccji permanently in this colony
havo hitherto resulted iu failure, but it will
doubtless be e. great public advmti.ugo if a
means of keeping it perfectly fresh for even so
short a space of time us a fortnight is dis
covered.
Mr. A. Cr. Major lias selected tliu following
thirteen players to proceed to Sydney to play
tbo return intercolonial match with Now South
Wales, which commences ou Hie 23rd inst.
Messrs. Blackburn, Bruce, Koran, Houslou,
-MM! wraith, M'Sliaiie, Palmer, Scott, Spoft'ortli,
Trott, Truiubie, Walters aud Worrull ; umpire,
J. Phillips. The limit selection of tlio eleven to.
represent Victoria will bo left to Messrs. Illack-
ham, Horuu and Scott, as business engage
ments will prevent Mr. Major from accompany
ing tlio team. It is desired that any of tho play
ers above mentioned, who limy be unable to
take part in tlio match, will inform Mr. Heather
at once of ihe fact, that gentleman's address
being 11 Market-street.
An interview has been arranged between
the Minister of Lauds aud the com-
mitto of management of tho Mel
bourne Benevolent Asylum, iu order that
the Minisler may be placed in possession of the
views of the latter body with regard to the pro
posed removal of tlio institution to some suitable
suburban site At the weekly mooting of iho
asylum commit! ue lield'yesicrday, a communi
cation was received from the Lands department
stating that tho Minister would receive I lie
committee at elovou a.m. on Thursday next.
A wish was expressed that the committee would
conic provided with a list of tlio sites that they
considered cligiblo for tho purposes ot the in
stitution.
The steady downpour of rain yesterday jmt a
damper ou operations ou the wharves, aud there
wero no sceues worth describing. Work, how
ever, proceeded in a very slow fashion on the
Leura, Gulio und Tarainuug. aud u low more la
borers were recruited at the shipping offices. To-
-day, some 50 laborers are exported to arrive
by the steamer Victorian, from Adelaide, hut
they will probably ho lauded at Williamstowu
or Sundridgo iu order to prevent any dis
turbance, and arrangements huvu been
made to station a strong body of police
along the wlmrrcs. There was a meeting
uf ihe Shipowners' Association yesterday,
but the business was uf a private character,
principally relating to concerted action among
shipowners. The men on strike held a muss
meeting iu tlic old Trades Hall iu the nlteruuoii,
when resolutions were passed authorising the
secretary to appeal to the various trades uuioiis
throughout thocolomesfiirsyuipathjiind support,
endorsing the action nf tlie executive committee,
and placing a sum of .1200 at the disposal of iho
president, treasurer and secretary, iu order lo
carry on the struggle, and, if possible, to buy
over the new arrivals. It was stated at the
meeting that many new members laid
joined tho uniou, and that some private
contributions had been tniulu to ihe funds by
sympathisers with tlio cause. Mr. Bride, of
tim Otngo Hotel, offered to phiro £100 at the
disposal of the iiuiou, to he repaid mil oi future
funds. It is stated on good authority that pres
sure is heiDg brought to bear on the .Seamen's
Uniou by the discharged crews to take action
in tho present strike, aud that soma definite
decision will tie coruo to iu a. few days.
The dispute between the wharf laborers and
shipowners was under consideration ut a meet
ing of the Employers' Union last evening. Mr.
Bruce Smith presided, and about twenty
other gontiomeu were present. A resolution
was carried urging ovcry employer of
labor to support the shipowners in resisting
the wharf laborers' claims, on the grounds that
the men on striko had not shown that the
wages they wero receiving were not fairly equal
to the wages paid other classes who did similar
labor, and further that they hud not proved that
the shipping trade justified litem in asking for
the increase. The action of Messrs. M'llwiaith
and Co. in conceding the demands of the
laborers was mentioned, but tlio final considera
tion of litis subject was dofcrrcd until next
meeting. Meantime Mi. John MBwraith is to
ho caked by a committee of the executive of the
union to act iu concert with tbo shipowners for
tho future. Notices of motion were given to tho
effect that tbc shipowners should bo assisted to
secure labor from tho otber colonies, and lhat a
public ineoting of employers bo convened to
take action to resist the unreasonable demands
of labor unions."
Tho builders' laborers are, to somo extent,
involved in the plasterers' strike, as tlio cessa
tion of work by tho hitter necossarily deprives a
proportion of the laborers of employment. At
a public meeting of the laborers held in tho old
Trades Hall last evening, Mr. Hammutt in the
chulr, resolutions were carried unanimously,
impressing upon tho builders' laborers iu the
colony tho necessity of keeping tlio tvuges up to
tho full standard williout deduction for tho
Saturday half holiday. Mr. Bellman sug
gested that u board of conciliation should be
appointed to wliich should ho referred, with suf
ficient notices, (all demands made by either labor
or capital for alteration of rates of wages and
all disputes generally. Votes of thanks were
passed to the plasterers of Melbourne, to tho
employers, and to the chairmau, and tho meet
ing then ended. The demands of the laborers
practically amount to Is. an hour for 44 boors
a week.
A dispute bos arisen in- the milling trade
between masters and men, owing to the latter
having made a demand for tlie eight-hours'
system. Tho Millowners' Society received
a letter recently from the United Mel
bourne Engine Drivers and Mill Laborers'
Union stating that they had resolved to adopt
.the .eight hours', avstam onaml alter the firat

Monday In February, and that tho union
desired tho mtll owner to express their concur-
rencowitli tho above intention, or otherwise sug
gest a time and place for Ihe pur|ioso of holding
a eoufereiire. A meeting of mill owners was
held on Wednesday to consider tlio letter, and
it was resolved that tlio secretary of the
union ho informed that tho Melbourne millers
were prepared to adopt the eight hours'
system provided tho leading Adelaide millers
and 25 per cent, of tho principal country
millers of Victoria could ho induced fo do
likewiso; or, failing that, the town millers
would consent to the adoption of tho eight
hours' system, provided tlio men were content
to accept a proportionately reduced scale of
pay. A copy ot this resolution was forwarded
to the secretary to the Millers' Union, aud at
this stage tho motion stands at present.
Commcntingupon 'tho appointment of Mr. G.
B Kcrfcrd, Into Attorney-General, to a scat in
tho Supremo Court bench, tbo Sydney Mornimj
I mild concludes n long article as follows : —
" What language, indeed, could bo too severe
when applied to tbo degradation of tho bench
by means of purely political appointments?
That tho very fountain of justico should ho cor
rupted for the purposo of rewarding a politician,
however respectable his political career may
havo been, is not only a violation of tho con
stitution, but it is an act which in itself may bo
said to shock tho public conscience. It takes
us back at once to tho worst days in English
history, when men wero placed upon tho bench
for tho purpose of procuring verdicts for tho
Crown. To guard the public interests against
the political corruption uf the bench should be
one of the most solemn obligations of Parlia
ment ; hut so long as judicial appoint incuts are
held to ho tho proper -rewards of political ser
vices, this obligation is ignored, uud a practice
never contemplated by the coustitution is
tacitly adopted iu its stead. In faco of such u
danger, tho local press is amply justified in con
tending that judicial appointments 'should bo
made iiou-political. It suggests that such ap
pointments should iu future he made ou the
nomination of tho Supreme Court bench, sub
ject to to tho approval of tlio Governor in
Council. A scheme of that kind, substituting
tho judges of the Supremo Court for tho Lord
Chancellor, nuiy or may not bo feasible, but ut
least it would make some approach to the Eng
lish system."
Hcferriug to the contemplated reconstruction
of tlie Government, tho Mount Alexander Mail
says It was understood that in the first in-
stuueo Mr. Gillies would place himself in com
munication with Messrs. Patterson, M. H.
Davies and AVrixon, and. failing their consent,
with Messrs. Harper, Walker mid M'Loau.
Wo cannot say how for this information is
authentic, hut wc believe, so far us the senior
meinoer for Castleuiaine is concerned, tho Com
missioner of Eailways might as well spare
himself the trouble of inviting tho former to
join a Government that cannot survive tho first
week of the next scssiou of Parliament."
A telegraph office has heeu opeued ut the
Arcadia railway station, on the Seymour to
Nmnurkah liue.
Tlie Telegraph department has received a
notification from Madras advising that the
Teheran route to Europo is interrupted beyoud
Debecd.
The exhibition for mathematics at matricu
lation has this year boon awarded to Mr. llarry
Speight, who is a sou of the Chairman of tho
Bailway Commissioners, and a pupil of Mr.
llowell Thomas has at the St. Kildu Grammar
School, wlicro ho lias also liud tho advantage of
the special teaching iu mathematics of Mr.
B. A. Smith. In Eugluud he was at tho Derby
Grammar School, where under his mathemati
cal tutor, Mr. Iddon, lie made u good beginning,
and already gave considerable promise. Since
liis arrival iu Melbourne ho lias heeu ut his
present school, from which lie passed tho
matriculation exumiuatiou last year. Ho will
probably enter Ormotid College.
An animated discussion took placo at tho
Hichmond city council last evening in respect
to the Victoria-street- bridge, the maintenance
of wliich it was proposed to hand over to tho
charge of tlic Collingwood council. Cr.
Jenkins gavo it as his opinion that tho bridge
was in a very dangerous condition, uud that if a
heavily laden wuggou was driven across it a
serious accideut was liable to happen. Ho
specially directed the attention of the council to
tlie fact that, although a committee was ap
pointed to deal with tho matter of subsidence
to the extent of about 4 inches iu connection
with tho western embankment, yet nothing
whatever had been done in tlio way of repairs
for the past two months. Cr. Adam said ho
hail taken professional advico in regard to cer
tain proposals by Cr. Jenkins, which, if tlioy
had heeu carried out, would have placed tho
bridge iu a fur worso condition tlmn it is at
prcseut. T'liey had had quite sufficient of Cr.
Jenkins's bungling over this work. Cr. Jenkins
continued to suy that the bridge was ruined in
tho first placo through tho action of Cr. Ailam,
who was then mayor of the city, as ho totally
ignored the advice of the host engineers to in
sert. piers in the embankment, and accepted
tlio opinions of incompetent gentlemen.
Cr. Farmer pointed out that (ho charge of tho
bridge could not legally be given to the Colling
wood council, as" the ihrec councils interested
were under special deed. The discussion eoded
without any action neuig taken in the matter.
The question of encroachment en Canipbell-
paradc, near the Hawthorn-bridge, by the tram-
car liouso, was once more brought under tho
notice of the Hichmond city council last even
ing, when a communication on the subject was
received from the directors of the Melbourne
Tramway uud Omnibus Company. The coun
cil recently decided to allow the building to oc
cupy tlie present position, providing that the
company agreed to remove it wlicu culled upon
to do so. The reply of Iho directors was io the
effect thut they hail no alternative hut to accept
the condition imposed by Iho council. They
would, however, rely upon the forbearance of
ihe council to exercise its powers at a future
date adversely to the company's interest, seeing
thut the encroachment was not tho result of any
oversight or neglect on tlio company' part, but
was caused by ilieir architect having placed
implicit reliance on the plan prepared by the
council's surveyor, acting iu his private cu-
jiacity, and tho pegs placed by him on the
ground, and to the fact that when invited to test
tlio accuracy of the lines he raised no objection
hereto. Cr. Jenkins said that if lie ever had a
majority on liis side iu (he council lie should
certainly move that the buildings be shifted
back to the proper line, us the. couur.il iiud made
a great mistake iu allowing the encroachment,
which seriously interfered with the road traffic.
No action was, however, taken.
Hefciriug to the hitch which at one time oc
curred ill making the arrangements for a visit
uf au Australian cricketing team to England iu
the ensuing season, the Hume. -Via vs remarks: —
" Cricketing circles and the English public
generally aro much interested iu Ihe pending
dispute .about iho next Australian eleven.
Everyone is hoping that it may ho arranged.
'The disappointment would ho great aud general
if no colonial cricketing team were !o visit this
country" in 1888. It may he quito admitted
that the objections raised in Australia to the
teams hat have come forward are perfectly
valid ; tlioy may not be properly representative
of colonial cricket, but this is a matter on
which the mother' country can express no
opinion. We may regret thut there have heeu
squubbles and disagreements, hut wo do not
euro to forego tlio pleasure of seeing tho Aus
tralians play. The dulness of the last cricket
ing season sufficiently proves lunv widely the
British public missed the closely contested
matches between ltoino aud colonial elevens.
Australian cricket is sensational, not to say
phenomenal, and, in theso days of hurry anil
excitement, is about the only cricket wc can
appreciate."
'i'ho llailv.-ay department will run a special
train from Spcnccr-street terminus to-murrow
nfternoon to tlio Hoyul Park station, on tbc
Ouburg line, for tho convenience of persons
attending the continental concert to be given in
the Zoological Gardens. The special train will
leavo Spenccr-strcet at throe o'clock, calling at
North Melbourne, and will bo in addition to the
ordinary trains leaving for Coburg and inter
mediate stations at twenty minutes to three and
half-past three. Tho concort commouces at
half-past three and concludes at six o'clock.
Trains will leavo tho Hoyul Pork station for
Spencer-street at four minntcs post fire, a
quarter to six, four minutes past six and fifty-
four minutes past six.
The Oriental Tournament at the Exhibition-
building was, considering tho weather, well at
tended last night. For to-night a grand com
bination concert has been urrangod, and other
amusements will also be provided.
The steamer Edlna, of Messrs. Win. Howard Smith
and Suns' Hue, will bo laid up to-day for an overhaul,
resuming tho trade ou Monday morning.
Wo aro wq nested to draw attention to tlie saio of
Government land which will take place at the rooms of
Messrs. Fraser. and Co, at two o'clock to-dny. Tlic
sale of land at Sputtiswonde announced to he held by
the same firm has been withdrnwu.
Wo have been requested by the Fort FllDllp Steam
ship and Hotel Company to state that the p.s. Lonsdslu
will proceed to Quoonseliff to-day, via Schnapper Point,
Promana, and Sorrento, returning by the ssmo route.
Tlie time of sidling from tlie various places wilt be seen
on reference to advertisement in onr shipping columns.

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