INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1616, 13 January 1868, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

[From the Melbourne papers.] Sydney, Monday "Dec. 30. The heat here is.intense. There are bush fires all round the city. Nimblefoot is scratched for. the Sydney Cup. Trade is dull. Maize is advancing. Martell's dark brandy is quoted at 7s 6d, and Marrian's ale at £8 10s. The Governor leaves Brisbane on Saturday next for New Zealand. The royal assent has been given to the Queensland Consolidation Bills. Mary Ann Pritchard has been committed for trial on a charge of arson. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Disastrous bush fires continue to be reported. The Sailors' Home Committee have decided to hold a ball in aid of the funds of the Institution during the Prince's visit. A monster meeting was held by the Protectionists last night to condemn the policy of the Government. It was resolved to exert the influence of the party at the next elections. The Eoyal Artillery stationed here are ordered to Gibraltar. The intense heat continues. The Government offer a reward of £100 for the discovery of the person implicated in the Moama murder. The James Lester has cleared for London, with 3101 bales of wool and 370 casks tallow. Arrived—Airedale, from Hokitika, with 8896 ounces of gold ; and Western Star, from Foo-chow-foo. Thursday, Jan. 2. The Homebush races were a poor affair. The Prince of "Wales Stakes were won by Why Not, with Hard Times second: the New Tear's Gift by Eainsworth, with Premier next in order; the Flying Handicap by Eainsworth, with Blondin second; the Corinthian Cup by Mountain Maid, with Cornet next. The heat continues intense. To-day is observed here as a general holiday. Mr Tait's victories on the Fleinington course gave great satisfaction. At an auction sale of sugar to-day, prices were easier. Only a portion of the Niagara's cargo was sold. Six thousand six hundred pounds were collected at the Customs to-day, owing to the cessatioD of the package duty. Over 3000 bales of wool were catalogued for to-day's sales. Little was sold. Prices were a halfpenny lower. American advices report the sailing of the barque Mary Eason for New Zealand, with twenty casks of tobacco and 66,489 feet of lumber; and the Cathuya, Frankling, and Hengist, for Melbourne, with 21 hhds. 51 cases and 319,368 lbs. of tobacco, 181,016 gallons of kerosene, and 70,000 feet and 10,971 pieces of lumber. Sailed —Mataura, for Panama ; J. Lyster, for London. Friday Jan. 3. The passengers by the E.M.s.s. Kaikoura give a fearful account of the catastrophe in the West Indies. The mail steamers intend in future to run direct from Colon to the Azores. The tallow sales to-day were dull, and prices were lower. About one-third of the Ellen's cargo of sugar has been sold, at about £1 per ton of a decline. White crystals sold at £37 10s to £3S 15s; white counters, at £33 ss; flue yellows, at £35 to £37 7s 6d. The Xulla, from New York, brings 497 packages of tobacco, and 4,750 cases of kerosene. The entries for Tattersall's Club races were closed to-day. A large number of entries were made, particularly for the Maiden Plate. Arrived.—Mary Edith, and Edith, from Liverpool; and Xulla, from New York. Adelaide, Saturday, Dec. 28. Advices are still being received of damage done to the grass by the recent bush fires. Monday will be observed as a holiday, being the anniversary of the foundation of the colony. The wholesale drapery houses will be shut on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The weather is still uncertain. No business is being done, owing to the departure of the mail. Arrived.—Uagadin, from Mauritius, with dates to the 21st November. Sugar was firm, flour was much lower, and there was a large stock of the latter article. Tuesday, Dec, 31. The boisterous state of the weather interfered with the holiday yesterday, and the day passed oft* quietly. No business will be done until next week. The cargo of the Uajaden, from Mauritius, is to be sold here. Arrived—Ariadne from the Baltic, with timber, for orders: and Costa Rica from Foo-cbow-foo, with tea. The Coorong is anxiously looked for. Thursday, Jan. 2. The weather yesterday was beautiful, and the races and other amusements were largely attended. To-day a hot wind is blowing. General business is quite at a standstill. The corn market is very dull, owing to the conflicting accounts as to the Victorian harvest. The feeling is generally gaining ground here that our harvest will prove better than was anticipated. The Ariadne from the Baltic, with timber, is ordered on to Melbourne. Friday, Jan. 3. The Hon. A. Blyth and family, and the Rev. Canon Russell and family are passengers to England by the Darra. The "Register" urges on Government'the necessity of retrenchment in che public establishments. A large number of miners are leaving the Moonta mine, under engagement to the Peak Downs Mining Company. There is no change in the corn market.