ARRIVAL OF THE 'WONGA WONGA' FROM SYDNEY.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 72, 1 April 1870, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE 'WONGA WONGA' FROM SYDNEY.

LATEST AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS. DISASTROUS FLOODS IN THE NORTH. GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AND DISTRESS. SEVERAL LIVES LOST. MORE MURDERS AND SUICIDES. THE LATEST MARKETS. TOTAL WRECK OE THE BARQUE ' RAM GOON.* The fine s.s. Wonga Wonga, T. S. Reale, I_*sq., commander, arrived in harbour this morning from Sydney, bringing later intelligence. We take the following telegrams from the Sydney Herald : — GLADSTONE, March 25. The Island City, barque, arrived from Auckland this cluy. She has had a disastrous passage. KIAMA, March 22. The Rangoon, barque, of about 400 tons, was driven upon the rocks at the mouth of the Minnamurra River, Kiama, at 3 o'clock this morning, dm-ing a fearful gale. She was from | Melbourne, in ballast, bound for Newcastle for * coal. Captain Charles, J.P., sent a team to j Kiama for a boat, and succeeded in getting : nine persons, the whole of the crew, from off i the island. Her masts aud rigging are over ' the side. The crew were taken on to Shell ; harbour. An unbroken gale has been blowing | here since Saturday night, the violence of ' which has never been equalled within the re- ' collection of the oldest residents. The creeks ; and rivers have been flooded, and mail and . traffic entirely suspended. Judge McFarland I was unable to attend the session here on Monday, and has not yet arrived. A largo portion of the telegraph line was blown down. Steamer i communication also .topped.

GRAFTON, March 22. We have had heavy rains, with a rise of 15 feet in the Clarence River. All the low lands are submerged, '.three steamers arc anchored out not yet having discharged their inward cargoes. ' The Examiner states that it is reported that there are heavy floods in the Richmond River, with supposed loss of life. _ One person is known to be drowned at Emigrant Creek, and three others are said to have perished at Ballina, through the capsizing of a boat. The waters are higher at the Clarence Heads than they were, in the big flood of 1863. There was a very heavy downpour of rain all last night, and the river, which had fallen, has again risen. 6 p.m. It is still raining, and the river is rising slowly, being again up to the eaves of the Steam Company's shed. The backwater is very high around Carr's and Alumny Creeks. Many families are washed out on the low lands. The sugar works on Carr's Creek are reported to be damaged. There is a good deal of water in the low parts of the town and at South. Grafton. There are no mails or inland communication. It has been raining three weeks without intermission. There is a gale outside, with heavy sea on the bar. WINDSOR, March 22. The weather to-day has been beautifully fine, and the river, up to 'noon, had fallen to within seven feet of its proper level. This afternoon a fresh rise set in, owing to heavy rains to the south, and the water is now rising fast, about eighteen inches per hour. BR AID WOOD, March 23. Thirty-six hours heavy rain. High floods, and great destruction of property, one life lost. At Araluen the claims arc levelled. The Causeway, at the southern entrance to the town, is entirely destroyed. Weather still threatening. Mail communication with Goulburn stopped since Monday, and likely to be much longer. TAMBAROORA, March 24. After a stoppage of six weeks, during which time extensive repairs were undegone by the Victoria machine, crushing was resumed on the Ist instant. John Attwood, 80| tons, yielded 307 ozs 13 dwts ; Porter and Barnshorn, 54 tons, yielded 557 ozs 10 dwts. A crushing of 200 tons, for James Brown was commenced to-day. We were suddenly visited this afternoon by the most terrific storm ever experienced here. The rain and hailstones fell in torrents. Weather very threatening. NARRABRI, March 22. The latest intelligence from Moree states that on Friday last, Thomas Cook of Deptfort, who left the Galatea, at Melbourne, was drowned while crossing the Mehi, by the upsetting of the postal boat, which was found the next morning keel up and stove in. The body was found on Wednesday morning on a tree, having been carried down by the flood. Another body of a man, name unknown, was found floating in the Barwon. The river is coming down ; another flood is expected. The river has fallen at Narrator There is a rumour of a murder having been committed at Cox's Creek, but the particulars are not known. WEST MAITLAND, March 22. McLauchlin's body was found 50 yards from where the boat foundered, aud has just been brought in by Hyndes' crew. 11 p.m. A large and influential meeting has been held fo-iught* On behalf of flic distressed, convened, by the Mayor. Resolutions of sympathy were passed. The Assistance Committee intend to apply for a portion of the funds in the hands* of'the Sydney Committee. The subscriptions here are liberal. March 24. The river is falling fast.; it is now 22 fret above low water mark. The back water is falling slowly. It is now level with the Elginstreet station platform. The trains arc running to the High-street station from Newcastle, though passengers arc conveyed by omnibus between Woollombi Road and Highstreet _ ta'Hon. There is a flood in the Paterson district, and there is no communication by mail. No accidents have yet been reported. March 25. The river and back water are falling slowly. The Flood Committee is inactive until a reply is received from Sydney. They are only supplying the necessaries of life. Railway communication with Newcastle is open to High-street. 'Busses run to' Stoney Creek for Muswellbrook. The main station is still unapproachable. EAST MAITLAND, March 22. The body of John M*Fadden, who was drowned here yesterday, was recovered to-day. Weather fine. The roads between this and West Maitland are not crossable. There is no communication by trains with Newcastle. MELBOURNE, March 22. A contractors' deputation has requested the Government to extend the time for the comdlction of the Beech worth Eailway. The Government promised to give the matter their consideration. The Albert Dock laborers have struck for eight hours' work per clay. Mr. Start has resumed his duties at the City Police Court.. Mr. Guthrie, Inspector-General of Customs, died whilst on sick ieave in Tasmania. The Government intend making reductions in the Civil Service, aud will re-model the Civil Service Act. A bill for providing a pension oi £1000 per annum to Lady Darling, and for investing £4000 for her sons will be initiated to-night. Captain Payne, of the Nelson, has been appointed Chief Harbour Master, in addition to his present duties. The time for the completion of the Beechworth railway has been extended three months. A brigade order has been issued announcing that a Volunteer encampment will take place at Easter. Detective Carter died yesterday evening from the injuries he received by coming in contact with a cab. In Parliament to-day, Mr. Macphcrson announced his intention of submitting resolution? for a basis of expenditure, and remodelling the estimates thereon. Isaac Solomon has assigned his estate. Draper has been committed for trial on another charge of defrauding the Commercial Sank. " Country flour sold ab auction to-day at £10 15s. ; feeding grains generally are rising j potatoes are selling at 45s to 50s; oornsacks, lis 3d. March 23. Messrs. Lyster and Smith proceed to

Sydney by the Eangatira to-day, to irrange for the opening of the Opera o_l\ Easter Monday. The Government advertises for a first-class practical engineer as overseer for workshops. Some meat arrived per Geelong, cured by Professor Gamgee's process, was to have been cooked to-day, but it turned out a failure. The Darling Pension Bill has passed the Council, Messrs. O'Shanassy and Highett alone dissenting. Mr. James Nowlan has been appointed County Court Judge vice Clarke resigned. Floods have occurred in the Sale district. Messrs. Dalmahoy, Campbell & Co. report that cattle changed hands at the quotations current on Wednesday last—say 17s 6d per lOOlbs. The sheep market is moderately sup. plied ; prices have advanced Is per head. Messrs. Power, Kutherford, and Co. report that of 1,500 head of cattle entered, only one half were yarded to day; prices have improved 10s for best; they sold 170 head of Delvin's mixed sexes, at an average of £6., To-morrow 400 head of Murrumbidgee cattle will bo offered. 25,000 sheep were sold; for good • kuality the price was dearer. Merino wethers sold at 8s 6d. ' • March 24. Mr. William Porter was the successful tenderer for the first section of the railways, fifty-six miles, at £293,000. Mr. J. F. Boadle, the well-known agriculturist, died suddenly. Two soldiers swam half a mile ashore from the Walmcr Castle, but were captured and t seat back; a third is supposed to have been drowned. Parliament is discussing Mr. M'Gregor's motion, that the estimates be taken back and expenditure brought within the income. The motion is likely to be carried, and the Ministry will resign. Private advices per Clara Sayers state that her cargo could have been sold at a profit before leaving. Wheat firmer ; sales up to ss. Feeding grains advancing. The Melbourne Meat Preserving Company's net profits for the half year were* £9000, which was carried forward, and 10 per cent, dividend declared from former balance. Warrenheip Distillery Company show a loss during the half-year of £3400. March 25. Mr. Macgregor's motion was allowed by the Government to be carried without opposition, the Ministry meekly observing that tkej did not consider it hostile. The Treasurer then moved that the House proceed to supply on Tuesday next. The amendment of Mr. Vales, that the House do now adjourn, was carried against the Ministry, who, after this defeat, must resign. There has been an indignation meeting of " shipowners to-day against Captain Payne's I appointment. There is very little betting in the sporting world until the acceptances are known. Business remains steady. ADELAIDE, March 22, A man named Leggie murdered his wife by stabbing her with a knife at Gasson's Labour Office. They were both drunk. He was in receipt of £1G each mail from Englaud. Captain Phillips, late master of the _ H6nry Ellis, has committed suicide by taking laudanum. At the inquest on the body, the jury returned a verdict that he died from the 1 effects of an overdose of. laudanum, taken as medicine. • - Dixon, the bootmaker of "Hihdley-street, 1 who was on Saturday taken into custody on a I charge of wilfully setting fire to his premises, has, in accordance with a verdict of a coroner's jury, been to-day released by order of the police magistrate. The A.S.N. Company were the only tenders for the King George's Sound Branch Mail Service,. at a reduction on the last contract. The tender will probably be accepted. The Elderslie, from Mauritius, brings dates I to Bth February, and thoroughly confirms previous advices as to the scarcity of sugar and rise in prices. The cotn market is quiet. March 23. | The tender of the A.S.N. Co. for the branch !." mail service is £1050 per month, and is accepted. ■ .The consecration of the Masonic Hall was a great success. Brother the Rev. Canon Parr delivered a most original and beautiful oration. Rev. Mr. Clarke is to preach next Sunday at North Adelaide Congregational Chapel, in aid of the building fund. The corn market is very quiet. March 24. At the nominations which took place to-day Messrs. Cottrel, Fowler, Murray, and Skelton, 1 were proposed for East Adelaide ; and Messrs. Darling, Solomon, Raphael, Fuller, and Coglilan for West Adelaide. The elections take place next Monday. The cargo of sugar ex Elderslie was offered to-day. 2,000 bags sold at advanced rates. The remainder was withdrawn for higher prices. The corn market is quieter. 5s Id is offering for wheat, but there is none to be purchased at that figure. March 25. The weather is very hot and dry, and rain is much wanted. The com market is firmer ; 5s 2d offering for wheat. Two tons of colonial currants, grown at 7 Angaston, sold at £50 per ton.