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SUMMARY OF NEWS for
HOME READERS.
His Excellency the Administrator of the Govern-
ment, Lieutenant-General Sir J. H. Lefroy, held his
firet levée, at the Town Hall, on the afternoon of
the 29th October. Despite the fact that there were
a large number of representative citizens at the Mel-
bourne Exhibition, the attendance was very nume-
rous. A levée will be held at Launceston on the
23rd inst. His Excellency has attended a concert
given by the Carandini Company ; the Annual
Show and dinner of the Southern Tasmanian Agri-
cultural and Pastoral Society; the annual com-
petition by members of the Rifle Association ; a
review of the Volunteers ; and, with Lady and
Miss Lefroy, has visited various public and charit-
able institutions. Sir J. H. Lefroy has become
patron of the Benevolent Society, and Lady Lefroy
has signified her wish to become patroness of the
Girls' Industrial School.
Parliament is now in recess ; the prorogation,
by proclamation, having been announced by a
Gazette Extraordinary issued on the evening of
Monday, the 1st inst. Parliament stands pro-
rogued until 31st May next, although it is im-
probable that it will meet on that day. The
last three days of the session were occu-
pied in clearing the order papors and arranging
the disagreements between the two branches of the
Legislature with regard to certain bills. The altera-
tions made by the Council in the Appropriation Bill
were the subject of discussion at a free conference
between the two Houses, which resulted in the House
of Assembly accepting the rejection by the Council
of the increases in salaries ; except in two depart-
ments, which the Council allowed, as it was shown
that extra duties had fallen to the share of the
officers in question. The three Public Works Bills
which were passed provide for the expenditure of
£36,600 on main roads ; £8,500 for bridges on main
roods ; £21,800 for buildings ; £600 for a jetty ;
£1,450 for telegraphs ; and £2,000 for surveys and
tracks. More works were proposed by Government,
but the Council adopted a policy of caution, and
only absented to such part of the proposals as seemed
to be justified by necessity. To carry out those sanc-
tioned, it is proposed to float a loan of £300,000 on
the London market, this sum being intended also
to provide for the consolidation of existing deben-
tures. The actual legislative work of the session is
represented by the following measures, which have
received the Royal assent:-The Census Bill, Stamp
Duties Act Amendment, Shareholders Vote by
Proxy Bill, Lands Clauses Act amendment, Train-
ing Schools Act Amendment, School-houses Erection
Bill, Small Debts Act Amendment, Main Line
Railway Act Amendment, Alteration of the Name
of the City of Hobart Town, a bill to provide for the
erection of boundary fences in the City of Hobart
Town, a bill to enable the Municipal Council of
Launceston to borrow £10,000, Contagious Diseases
(Cattle) Act Amendment, Scab Act Amendment, a
bill to raise £90,000 by a Treasury bills, Appropria-
tion, 1881; Supplementary Appropriation, 1878-9-80;
Scab Act Appropriation, Debentures £300,000,
Real Estates Duties Act Amendment, Goldfields
Regulation, Mineral Lands Amendment, Limited
Liability (Mining), Mining Companies Registration,
Barristers and Attorneys Act Amendment, Customs
Duties Act Amendment, Oyster Fisheries Act
(Amendment, Food and Drugs Sale, Meat Sale,
Obscene Books, etc., Prevention, Rural Minicipali-
ties Act Amendment, Judges Qualification, Judges
Pension, Cemeteries Act Amendment, Main Roads
Act Amendment, Main Roads and Bridges Con-
struction, Public Works Construction, Public
Buildings Construction.
The Premier the Hon. W. R. Giblin, left Laun-
ceston by steamer, on Monday for Melbourne. He
will probably avail himself of the opportunity of
consulting Ministers and heads of departments in
Victoria on telegraphic and other intercolonial
matters.
The Committee of Elections and Qualifications
appointed by the Legislative Council having un-
seated Mr. Joseph Solomon, the recently elected
member for Huon, and a writ having been issued to
fill the vacancy, the election took place on the 5th
inst. The same candidates as on the previous oc-
casion (Messrs. Joseph Solomon and William Fisher)
were nominated, and the former was returned. Mr.
Solomon's title to be a candidate will be questioned
by petition asking the Elections and Qualifications
Committee to declare him disqualified by the bribery
of agents which had unseated bim.
Tenders were called for by the Colonial Treasurer
for Treasury bills to the amount of £50,000, pay-
able ; in five years, and bearing interest at 5 percent.
Forty-nine tenders wore received, offering sums
amounting in all to £125,000, at prices ranging from
par (the named minimum) up to £1 5s. per cent,
The whole £50,000 was allotted to tenderers at £1
2s. 6d. and £1 5s., the amounts being distributed
pro rata, to tenderers at £1 2s. 6d. percent. £30,000,
and at the higher figure £20,000. This may fairly
be considered a successful financial operation, and
the number and amount of tenders shows that there
is much capital seeking investment, even at 5 per
cent interest, a marked contrast to 12 months ago,
when the Treasurer had great difficulty in finding
purchasers for bills bearing interest at 6 per cent.
The only judicial work of any consequence recently
transacted was at a sitting of the Supreme Court, in
its Small Debts Jurisdiction, held before His Honor
Mr. Justice Dobson, on the 3rd inst. There was only
one defended cause, that of W. L. Crowther v. R.
Hewitt, a claim for £26 15s. 6d., for attendance
upon defendant's wife. Mrs. Hewitt suffered with
an abdominal cancer, which the defendant alleged
the plaintiff undertook to cure, commencing to at-
tend upon her in January, 1879, and ceasing his
visits in June of the same year. Mrs. Hewitt died
in September, 1879. The treatment chosen by the
plaintiff consisted of cauterisation, twice, and some
times three or four times a week during the whole
five months he attended upon her. One of the pleas
was want of skill on the part of the plaintiff. Drs.
Bright, Giblin, and Benjafield gave evidence for the
defence, to the effect that cauterisation was not now
practised for such maladies as that in question, while
tíie last-named gentleman said that cauterisation so
applied was inhuman and barbarous. After a retire-
ment of half an hour, and all the three jurors not then
agreeing, it was, by consent, arranged to accept the
verdict of two, which was given for the defendant.
The plaintiff intimated his intention of applying for
a new trial.
A large number of leading colonists have been
paying a visit to the Melbourne International
Exhibition, and the verdict given upon the Tas-
manian Court is in nearly every instance one of
approval. A meeting of the Commissioners was
held in the Court during the Cup week, and many
points were discussed, the object being to get some
of the heavier exhibits moved outside, so that there
might be less crowding. Having the advantage of
being on the spot, the Commissioners were enabled
to effect some very important changes in the
arrangement of exhibits, and also in respect to the
status of Mr. Hubbard, the caretaker. The latest
articles sent to the committee are some natural
history specimens. The Tasmanian stone is attact-
ing attention, and, moreover, provoking controversy.
Thirteen of our leading woolgrowers have signified
their intention of competing in that section with
the Victorian producers. Financially, the Com-
mission is in an unexpectddly sound condition - the
result of economy at both ends of the island.
Sir Henry Lefroy made his first official inspection
of the Southern Tasmanian Volunteer Forces on the
5th instant, in the Queen's Domain. On the
Governor's arrival at the parade ground he was
received by a general salute. The Volunteers after-
wards marched post, and then went through
various movements. His Excellency addressed the
Volunteers,speaking in complimentary terms of the
performance of the men. Lady and Miss Lefroy
were present at the parade. The annual prize
competition under the auspices of the Southern
Tasmanian Rifle Association took place at
Hobart Town on the 2nd instant. The
premier position in the first class was taken
by Mr. J. J. McDonald, who secured the first
prize and the Association's medal ; Mr. H. Bowden
took the second prize, and Mr. A. C. Kirk, jun.,
the third. In the second class only seven members
competed for three prizes, the first of which was
won by Mr. J. T. Morriss ; Mr. Ikin, sen., and Mr.
J. Rogers scouring the second and third respectively.
Inconsequence of the disagreement of the Northern
Volunteer Force in the arrangements made by the
Commandant of the Forces, Colonel Angelo, the
proposed participation of Tasmania in the Inter-
colonial Rifle Match, which is to take place in
Melbourne, has had to be abandoned. The
Southern Tasmanian Volunteer Artillery Corps
engaged in some shell practice on the 30th ult.,
from Macquarie Point. On the whole the practice
was fair. Sergeant-Major George Breare, R.A.,
instructor in gunnery, who has been brought out
from England to instruct the Volunteer Forces of
Tasmania, arrived at Hobart Town on the 5th.
Commodore Wilson, of the Australian Squadron,
is expected to visit Hobart Town during the month of
of December, bringing with him several of the war
vessels belonging to the Australian station. The
Government have arranged for a residence for the
Commodore during his stay here.
'""'Áotivity is tho prinoipal characteristic of tho
mining world at the present time. At tho two
Srincipal goldfields, Beaconsfield and Nine-Mile
pring«, the summer weather is telling its own talo,
and most of the companies aro in full swing. At
the former place clearing up day resulted as
follows i-Tasmania Company, from 1,590 tons of
«tone 4,150oz. amalgam was obtained, yielding
l,613Joz. rotorted gold ; Ooldon Gate Company,
from'144 tons of stone obtained 014oz. amalgam,
yielding 212JOZ. gold ; Littlo Wondor Company,
.from'7 tons of etono obtained 7oz. gold. The
Queen (alluvial) was also oleanod up, with a return
i'of 42oz. At the olearing up of the Prince of
Wales Company, Nine-Mile Springs, 74 tons of
atone gavo llöoz, of amalgam on tho boxes, and
BOoz. on tho plates and ripples, whioh gavo in all
-.iftSoz. of retorted gold. The mino is still looking
«SW W8U< The Now Chum platen were sorapod on
Saturday. From 82 tons of stone 162oz. of
.amalgam wero obtained from tho plates and ripples.
ams return is a great improvement on the last few
ÄJf1" lumping oases heard hore by Mr.
«2SST2fJ?taw "S**"1 8*°»* excitement
Standing that thoy havo had severo weather, and
many of tho men are still ill. Tho 40-kead battery
ia working admirably. There is groat improvement
in tho North Bischoff mino ; and Mr. Whito, the
new manager of the West Bischoff mino, has
arrived on tho spot. A claim for damages from tho
West Bischoff lode having been worked 70ft. by
Mr. Osborne will probably bo settled amicably.
Both tho Cam and Royal Tasman diggings have
found champions during tho last week, but there
havo been no proved results of any magnitude from
either na yet. Soino traces of copper have
been found at tho Forth, and thero aro con-
comitant indications of an encouraging character.
Tho Lisio diagiiiRB, though not by any moans
woikcd out, are almost deBcrted, and at tho West
Coast tho weather has interfered with the prospect-
ing. Tho outcry for bettor track communication
with tho Pieman is continued, and it is hoped that
immediate action will bo taken by the Government
to provide it now that tho money has been voted
by Parliament.
So far as tho season has advanced tho weatbor
has fulfilled tho most ardent hopes of tho farmer,
sunshine and shower alternating almost daily,
rendering the prospects of tho forthcoming harvest
of a satisfactory kind. The sixth annual exhibition
of tho Southern Tasmauian Agricultural and
Pastoral Society was held at the show ground, Now
Town, ou tho 27th October, and despito (.lie în
oloment state of tim weather, thero waa an attend-
ance of about 8,000 persons. Tho show was a
highly satisfactory one. The seventh annual ex-
hibition of the North-Western Agricultural Associa-
tion was held at Latrobe the Bamo day, but owing
to tho unfavourable' state of the weather, and tho
depression caused by tho lowness of prices ruling
for agricultural produce, waa only moderately suc-
cessful.
The education annual great event is approaching.
Tho examinations for the Tasmanian Scholarships and
A.A. Degrees tako place early next month under
tho auspices of the Council of pducation. Three
scholarships at tho Hutchins School--Newcastle (2),
and Boyd-aro also open for competition about the
same time. Tho Rev. J. C. Whall, M.A., Warden
of Christ's College, is urging the Council to alter
and modify their system of examinations, in order
to place Btudents op an equal footing with their
English competitors. '
Returns furnished to us from Bridgewater would
indicate that the number of Balmon caught in the
Derwent during the fortnight has been very small,
this being probably owing to the plentiful supply of
food in tho river, Tho take for the season has
however been highly satisfactory. Ono of tho
grandest eights in Launceston at the prcsont time is
a tree of the Impcrialis Polonia, in full ' bloom at
Mr, Waters' garden, Cimitiere-street. This tree is j
Bomowhat rare, aa there is only another in the North
of tho island, although some hundreds of seedlings
and cuttings havo been tried,
In accordance with the determination repeptly
arrived at by the Presbyterian Synod, and the
arrangements subsequently mode at a meeting of
the PreBbytery of Hobart, the congregations or St.
John's and St. Andrew's were amalgamated ' on
Sunday last, and worshipped together for the first
time in St. Andrew's Church, Bathurat-atreet, on
that day. The morning service was conduoted by
the Bev, James Scott (minister of St. John's, Mac
quarie-street, and Moderator of the Presbytery of
Hobart), and tho evaning service by the Ker. J.
A. Stuart, who has recently arrived from Wagga
Wagga, N.8.W. Tho anniversary servipeB and tea
meetings of the Memorial Church, and the Collinsr
street Primitive Methodist Church, have both been
held ; and on the same day, in Launceston, which
is a great place for Sunday school anniversaries,
the first of the season took place in connection with,
the Tamar-street Congregational Church. St.,
Mary's (R. C.) Cathedral, which has been for some
time in process of re-erection, is now approaching
completion, and is expected to be ready in January
next, when ceremonies of an extensivo character
are intended to accompany tho opening. Bishop
Murphy intends inviting all thp Bishops and Arch,
bishops in the neighbouring oolonioB to be present.
Two clergymen, the Bev. Fathers O'Callanan and
Murphy, who arrived by the Cotopaxi, have sinoe
come to work in Tasmania, and others are expected
by the Liguria.
One of the year's greatest holidays was observed
yesterday in right loyal way, and a full account of
the proceedings appears elsewhere. The unsuccess-
ful production of Bizot's opera Carmen by a Beroi
trofeBsional company from Launceston was followed
y a week's interregnum at the theatre, which has
beon utilised by the management in cleaning and
other alterations for the benefit of audienoes.
SimonBeu's Opera Company open next week for a
ten days' season, prior to their departure for New
Zealand. The company is a very strong one, in-
cluding Madame Simonsen and her two daughters, i
with Signori Bianchi and Polodini, as tenors. The
subscription list is filling up well. Cricket is in
full swing all over the colony. In Hobart Town a
team of Volunteers had to accept a defeat from an
eleven of Civilians, both being chosen from the
Southern Association members ; and the first club
match of the season, Derwent ». Wellington, has'
been commenced, and will be finished next Satur-
day. Baoing men have been absent from the
colony to see "The Cup" in Melbourne, but
yesterday _ had a small meeting to occupy their'
attention in a local aspect.
The members of the Northern Tasmanian Coursing
Club held a very pleasant reunion a week ago, when'
about twenty-five gentlemen dined together at the
Criterion Hotel, and when Mr. Ernest Qateuby,
who has for two Beasons acted as honorary judge,
was presented with a Bplendid saddle, bridle, and
complete horse equipment as a mark of their appre-
ciation of his services in the discharge of his
onerous duties.
The yachting and boating seasons will soon be
commenced. The Derwent Yacht Club, of Hobart
Town, open proceedings on the 13th inst., with a
race in which four yachts are expected to compete.
During the last fortnight several yachts have made
their appearance on the River Derwent. The
second yacht race at Launceston took place on the
6th inst., when the third heat for the Tamar Yacht
Club's cup was sailed. The race was won by the
Latona. _ The Derwent Rowing Club, Hobart Town,
hold their half-yearly regatta on the 13th inst.
The competitors in the several races are having
plenty of practice, and good contests are expected
to be the result. The annual Huon regatta is to be
held on the 1st January, 1881, at Shipwrights'
Point. A committee has been formed to make the
necessary arrangements. Considerable interest is
being taken by rowing men at Hobart Town in the
success already achieved by Laycock, and the ex-
pected success of Trickett, the Australian scullers,
now in England.
Several deaths, the circumstances connected with
which were of an unusual character, have occurred
recently. On October gO, an inquest waa held at
the Leven Banks, respecting the death of a young
woman named Winifred Bodman, who died two
days previously. It was elicited that death was
caused by a kiok from a calf. The body of a man,'
named Samuel Long, was found near Launces-
ton on the 28th inBt. Long, whose mind was
affootod, had committed suicide some two or
three days previously, by cutting bia throat
A man named Johnson has been killed by
being thrown from his horse, near Boobyalla. A
splitter, named Jas. Clarridgo, baa been accidentally
drowned in tho Dorset Biver. Attention has been
directed to an extensive system of smuggling being
oarried on, especially in the North and North
Western parts of the island, Martin Tnompson,
who was employed on the tug Tamar, has been
found guilty at the Launceston Police Court of
smuggling tobaoco, and fined £100 and costs, failing
to pay which ho has been imprisoned. The Aurora
Australias has been visible lately, and was rather
brilliant on the evening of Sunday, Ootober 31.
It is with deep regret wo announce the demise of
tho Lady Superioress of the Convent of the Presenta-
tion Order of Nuns-M. F. X. Murphy-which sad
event took place on Saturday evening last, at Mount
St. Mary's, in this city. This highly esteemed lady,
sister of the Most Rev. Dr. Murphy, Bishop o^
Hobartnn, entered the conventual lifo in Ireland in
1843, where for many years she was connected with,'
and presided over the Presentation Order in that
country. In 1800, being desirous of extending tho
benefits of the order to Tasmania, this pious lady
arrived in this colony with threo professed nuns,
four postulants, and ono lay sister, and through
her untiring energy, aided also by the Bishop, suc-|
oeeded in founding the order at Hobart Town and
Launceston, and in having erected the capacious and
handsome buildings now occupied in both parts of
the island by the sisters of the community, who,
now number 25. She had for a long timo been
suffering from an internal malady, and on Wednes-
day, notwithstanding nil that modical Bkill could
accomplish, little hope was entertained of her
rocovory. Having on Saturday recoived all the
rites of the Church, bIio calmly passed away in tbo
presonce of tho sorrowing sisters of tho community,
His Lordship tho Bishop, and othors of the clorcv. I
His Lordship tbo liishop, and otbors of the clorgy.
Tho memory of thia good lady will long live in the
gratoful recollection of former pupils of the convent
schools, and of tho Catholics of Tasmania, as well
as tho numerous Protestant friends whose cstcom
she had long enjoyed. Firm in the discharge of
har holy, high, and important duties, she brought
i to bear a kind, considerate, and gentle nature,
which endeared her to all who knew her.' A
Waterloo voteran, named John Smith, has died in
Launceston, at the ago of 80 yean.
The London tiading barquo Lufra, whioh arrived
at Hobart Town, from London on tho 9th ult., has
almost finished discharging her cargo. The London
barquo Ethel is at Hobart Town, ready to rcoeivo
wool when it comes in. The London trading barquo
Harriot McGregor has made a trip to the Mauritius,
returning on the 3rd inst., after a passago of about
30 days, with a cargo of sugar for Messrs. Alex.
McGregor and Co. She is now discharging cargo,
after whioh she will load up for London. The
barquo Westbury, at Launceston, has finished dis.
charging hor inward cargo from London. The barquo
Borean, also at Launceston, loading for London,
commenced wool sorowing on the 4th inst. Sha
had on that day got in 100 bales of wool, 50 tons of
tin, and 20 bags of ground balk, Tho barque Mary
Blair, owned hy Messrs. Bolbiu and Dowdoll, of
Hobart Town, has concludod a round trip from
Hobart Town to Adolaido, thence to Dieppe and
across to Caidiff, Wales, returning thenoe to Laun-
ceston by way of the Mauritius. She arrived at
Launceston on the 5th inst., after a paauge of 29
days (ron Mauritius, bringing' ;34£ .tons of
angar. Two shipping disasters bare occurred
on the Tasmanian coast recently, both to
small coasting crafts. The ketch Joan, 63 tons,
went ashoro at Forth Heads on the 28th ult.,
but was floated again on the 5th inst. She sus-
tained a good deal of injury. Tho ketch Governor
Weld, 56 tons, whilst crossing the bar at Georgo's
Bay on the 26th ult., carried away the spindle of
the wheel, and stuck on the spit. Through the energy
and perseverance of her master, Mr. W. Madden,
assisted by Captain Hall and crewB, Brie was got off
on the 29th ult., and afterwards brought round to
Hobart Town. Tho s.a. Glenelg, owned by Messrs.
Harrild Bros., of Adelaide, SA,, is again to be
placed upon the trade to Launceston. She will as
before take the route from Adelaide to Sydney, via
Launceston. She is expected to arrive on the 11th
inst., at the last named place. The whaling barque
Emily Downing put in near Hobart Town on the
2nd inst., for provisions. She has 5¡r tuns of sperm
oil. She sailed again on the 8th inst*. Tho whaling
barquo Marie Laurè was reported last week with 41J
tuns of sperm oil.
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