The Express. — 1864-08-15 (London, England)

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 agitated in a short time hence. A general election is "in the offing," but it is as yet somewhat too remote to speculate upon its possible results. In • month or two the existence of the present assembly 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 resistance 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 Secretary. On the formation of the M'Culloch administration in 1863, Mr. Healer accepted the office which he held at the time of his death. The lion. gentleman was much esteemed both in his public and private 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 followed 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 cortege 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