The Express.
London, England, 1864-08-15 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

There is no political news of importance by this
mail. The Melbourne Herald of June 23, in its
review of the mouth, observes:—" The tkird and
last session of the present parliament was brought
to a close on the 2nd instant. With its prorogation
all interest appears to have died out, for the nonce
at least, in matters political. A lull has takes
place, which, however, only indicates the force with
which the elements of political warfare will be agi-
tated in a short time hence. A general election is
"in the offing," but it is as yet somewhat too re-
mote to speculate upon its possible results. In •
month or two the existence of the present as-
sembly will terminate, according to law, simply by
effin.uon of time. And then the preparations for
electoral struggle will commence in earnest—with
the everlasting land question as the piece de resist-
ance for the voters and candidates to carve and cut
ad libitum.

The Hon. Richard Hodes. President of the
Board of Land and Works and Commissioner of
Crown Lands and Survey, died on the morning of
the 19th of June from consumption. Mr. Reales
arrived in Victoria in 1842 as a journeyman coach-
' builder, and by his industry soon raised himself to
be an employer. In 18b8 he entered parliament,
and in the session of 1860-1 became Chief Secre-
tary. On the formation of the M'Culloch admini-
stration in 1863, Mr. Healer accepted the office which
he held at the time of his death. The lion. gentle-
man was much esteemed both in his public and pri-
vate career. His funeral took place on the 22nd June,
and, with two single exceptions, was the largest that
bad ever taken place in the colony. The Governor,
Sir Charles Darling, was present, as well as every
' person of note. " Without any distinction of class
or creed," says the Melbourne Herald, "all fol-
lowed to do honour to the mortal remains of a man
who in his lifetime bad been esteemed and admired.
The thoroughfares through which the funeral cor-
tege passed were densely crowded, and the whole
of the places of business—both public and private
—were closed from the hour of noon."
An unusual number of crimes of violence of more
than ordinary interest had occurred in Melbourne,
including a murder and a bank robbery.
On the Nth the inhabitants of the city were startled by
the intelligence that the branch establishment of the
English. Scottish, and Anatralian Chartered Beak, is George.
street. Fitzroy, had been • " stuck up' at 10 o'clock that
morning by four men armed with pistols and daggers. Oa
the opening of the bank for business three men entered the
premises, one of whom proceeded direct to the room of the
manager (Mr. Dowling). while two others remained at the
counter, in order to divert the attention of the ledger.
keeper (Mr. Gent). The malinger, who was not in his room,
bat engaged counting some silver in the outer aloe at the
time, at one neon the description of mass who wan entering
his parlour, went round to meet him, sod caught the fellow
by the band. A struggle ensued, and io the meantime one
the two men who had remained at the counter was ea.
geged in helping himself to some silver, when Mr. Gent
seized him. The prisoner Carver discharged his pistol at
the ledger•keoper, whoa neck was slightly scorched by the
powder, and the novel sensation of bevies a hall whissieg
so close past his ear stunned him for a few seconds. On
recovering himself he found that his ansailant, together
with the third man, bad vanished. A struggle was still
going on at the marina of the manses?s room between
Mr. Dowling, his brother, who opportunely arrived en the
spot, and the man Woods. A shot was tired, but feU wide
of the neck. the bullet lodging in the wane:etas of the
door. To their envisages Mr. Orot hastened, and by the
combised efforts of Use three, together with the aid afforded
by Mr. Boss, a grocer, who had been attracted to the