LATEST FROM AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2160, 21 March 1870, Page 2

LATEST FROM AUSTRALIA.

Bluff, March 19. The s.s. Claud Hamilton, Captain Underwood, left Hobson's Bay at four p.m. on the 12th instant; passed Port Philip Heads at seven p.m., and Swan Island at seven a.m. on the 14th. She experienced fine weather during the run across; made S. W. Cape at six a.m. on the 18th, and entered the Bluff at eight p.m,, bringing eighty-five tons cargo for Dunedin. Passengers—Miss Forsyth, for Dunedin ; Mrs Leigh and Mrs Baker, for Lyttelton ; Mr lioyse, Mrs Young, Mr Bird, Mr Wood, for Wellington; Mrs Willis, for Nelson : Mr Mcßeeth, for Greymouth; Mr Pearson, for Hokitika. Melbourne, 12th March. Trade is unsettled; insolvency rumors are rife and confidence is shaken. Messrs Degraves have re-established their solvency. Flour is yery dull at £11. Wheat is 4s 9d in small lots. Maize, 3s 4d. Oats, 3s. King and Company, of Ballarat, have offered ten shillings in the pound. W. Georgeson and Co., tea dealers, have filed their schedule. Levy and Son have assigned their estate. Mr Buzzard, bookseller, has assigned his estate. Sugars are firm but little is doing Trade generally is depressed. Wool sales are brisk. The Treasurer's statement was made last Tuesday. A large expenditure for the year is proposed. McCulloch severely criticised the statement, arguing that the revenue was greatly overestimated. The debate is adjourned. A. Supply Bill, to pay civil servants, has passed. Mr O'Shanassy has revived his opposition to the opening

of the Council with prayer. Mr Mitchell has been elected chairman of committees in the Council. Mr Williamson, teacher in the Scottish School has been appointed schoolmaster of the ship Nelson. R C. Gladstone, cousin of the Premier of England, was killed at Teraug by a fall from his horse. Sir Henry Barkly has been appointed Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. The Companionship of St. Michael and St. George has been conferred on Mr John O'Shanassy. It was offered to Mr McCulloch but he refused it. Dr Bird has been appointed lecturer on Materia Medica in Melbourne University. Mrs Sayers, of "Wangaratta, while visiting Melbourne, committed suicide last night. She drank an ounce of belladonna. The Hebrews give a banquet and testimonial to Mr Edward Cohen today. A chemist named, Thompson, assistant to Wragge, a chemist in Collins' street, has committed suicide by taking prussic acid. The alleged cause is spiritism. Suicidal tendency is increasing; several attempts have been made within the last few days at drowning. In the last two events of the Champion Match Hewitt won. The decision of the last event caused dissatisfaction ; it was a dead heat, and was not run again. The pedestrians visit Sydney at Easter. Go wan, a soldier of the 14th regi-, ment, has been committed for trial on a charge of rape. Power is continuing sticking-up with impunity. The racehorse Charon is dead, having received internal injuries while exercising. In the Egan murder investigation, Edwards has been acquitted; he was discharged and again arrested. The Halford testimonial fund has reached £60. The Melbourne Autumnal Meeting commenced yesterday; there was a small attendance. Hurdle race —Victor, Ist. The St. Leger stakes — Lamplighter, Ist. Handicap Plate of 40 soy Ist. Ascot Vale Stakes —Eoe, Ist. Australian Cup— Norma, Ist. Plate of 50 soy tral, Ist. Sailed — Prosperity for Hokitika, Moa for Auckland. Sydney — Arrived at Newcastle — Bengal, Camilla. The schooners Isle of Thanet and Flying Fish were wrecked at Port Stephens. Vane, formerly of Gardner's gang of bushrangers, is liberated. The Eobertson testimonial fund is progressing. Public opinion is dead against the Divorce Bill now under discussion. A portion of the Estimates have passed. Wool sales are firm. Arrived—Barque Novelty. The Government have introduced a Bill for fixing the Governor's salary at £6000. Flood's have occurred in the Hunter district. Adelaide. The unemployed agitation continues. Government have offered work at 3s a day. Breadstuff's are steady, and have slightly advanced. The elections are going on. Vere, charged with the Avoca murder, has been arrested at Bowman's Flat, Eiver Finnis.