LATEST FROM AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1860, 1 April 1869, Page 3

LATEST FROM AUSTRALIA.

[FROM OTJB COBRESPOITDENT.] Bluff, March 31,10.4 a.m. The Gothenburg left Hobson's Bay at 4 p.m. on the 25th. Passed Cape Schnack at 9 o'clock same night. She experienced fine weather during the passage, and anchored off Bluff Point at 10 p.m. on the 30th; came up to the wharf at 10 a.m. this morning. She brings twenty saloon and fifty steerage passengers, with 400 tons of cargo, for all ports. She leaves the Bluff at 3 p.m. Melboubite, March 25. The Bribery and Corruption Committee closed its sittings to-day. The evidence taken discloses undoubted attempts to influence votes in 1867 by monetary considerations. Mr Hugh G-lass was subjected totwo severe examinations, but nothing was elicited. He is to be re-examined this evening. The committee has evidently arrived at foregone conclusions, and will bring up a strongly criminating report. No further complications in the Jones affair has arisen. His re-elec-tion for Ballarat is considered to be certain. The Crown prosecutions against selectors for evasion of the land regulations have broken down in the main, but have been further postponed to the next criminal sessions. The Mining Board Conference, sitting in Melbourne, have drawn up resolutions to guide ministers in legislating on the subject of the inquiry; on private property. Isolated cases of small-pox are breaking out over the colony. Two

additional deaths have occurred. Vaccination is very general among adults. The jury on the case of A. EL Coys, charged with malversation of office as Chinese interpeeter at Castlemaine, was'discbarged after being locked up for six days. Flanagan, ex-police constable, has been convicted of the murder of Sergeant Hull, and is ordered for execution next Wednesday. All the Eoman Catholic prelates in Australia meet in Melbourne during Easter as a Synod on Education. Friday, the 2nd April, hns been proclaimed a day of humiliation and prayer for the long drought. Commercial—Flour is quoted at £14 but is not firm. Wheat is coming forward more freely at 5s 9d to 5s lid. Oats dull at 4s 3d. Large eales of New Zealand have been made at a shade below that. The English mail produced little change in the market. Candles, llfd. Kerosine has risen to 2e 3d for Downer's. Malt is very dull at 10s. Tobacco is moving up slightly. Sugars are still advancing. Sydney, j The Prince is quietly enjoying private society. , The 15th Regiment embarked for England in the Himalaya. Parliament will be prorogued on Saturday next. The Galatea sails for New Zealand on the Ist April. Mr Chamberlain, cashier of the Panama Mail Company, has disappeared. He is supposed to have absconded. The Testimonial to Parkes , fund is gradually mounting up. Trade dull. Californian flour quoted at £14. Wheat, 6s 6d. Adelaide. A meeting of the Aborigines Protection Society has been held, presided over by his Excellency. Mr Bonfield, an old colonist, has drowned himself in a water-hole. The anti-ritualistic movement in the English Church is gaining strength. Flour is quoted at £14. Wheat, 5s 7d. Large shipments of the latter to England have been made. 12.40 p.m. The Gothenburg takes the following passengers for Ly ttelton : — saloon: Mr Wilkins; steerage, 4; 4 tons of cargo. For Wellington—saloon : Mr Allen; six in steerage, also a few men for front, and 40 tons of cargo.