AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2166, 28 March 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Mei.botjenb, March 19. The import markets are dull. Sales by auction are numerous. Business generally is unsatisfactory, but business confidence is partly restored. Flour is £10 10s to £11. Oats, 3s 6d to 3s 7d ; maize, dull at 3s 6d ; wheat, 4s 9d to 4s Sugars, ex Perseverant intended for New Zealand, were disposed of byauction atadecline of about 20s all round. Under hammer Java rice was quitted at £1810s; mill dressed, £19 10a ; candies, 10d to 10£ d ; kerosene, 2s 2d ; malt, 9s 4|d to 9a 6d ; good cherry, £36. Wool sales, very firm. The mail steamer reached the bay on Wednesday. Amongst the passengers are Mr and Mrs Charles Mathews and Captain Sturt.

Captain Grabam, of the ship Whirlwind, hae been honorably acquitted from the charge of running the ship on to the rocks in the Javae Sea.

Harris and Hewitt have agreed to run 300 yards on the 2nd of April, with the yiew of deciding the championship. The suicide mania still continues; chiefly amongst women. Dawson, the barrister, is dead.

W. H. Bray, of the Sandhurst Hotel, Melbourne, has been arrested, charged with committing an unnatural offence on two lodgers. The authorities have decided to arraign Draper on a fresh charge of forgery. Ah Pievr, a Chinaman, hae been committed for trial on a charge of murdering a girl at Glenluce. Arrived —Omeo on the 12th ; Gothenburg on the 16th; Kate Conley, Magnet, from Greymouth; Union from Dunedin. Sailed — Waterman for Greymouth ; Zephyr for Hokitika.

It is proposed to establish a Victorian Academy of music, and the GoTerament is willing to assist. Political affaire are quiet. The McPherson Ministry ie increasing in strength. Berry (the Treasurer's), budget, is but mildly opposed. The Ministry have expressed their willingness to accept six months supply, and they will prepare fresh estimates based on a lower expenditure. The Assembly adjourned on last Tuesday

out of respect to the memory of Sir Charles Darling. The Legislative Council went on with the business. The Walmer Caetle, with noldiers, eaiie today. The Commercial Bank's drafts on London have been refused, ov'ing to the accounts being co complicated through Draper's manipulations and erasures. The notorious Edward Bathurat has been again committed for trial on a ohargo of fraud. Adelaide. The unemployed after commencing, relinquished Government work and wages. The Winnerab's farm, Port Willunga, has been destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at £3000. The elections are progressing. Sydney. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce had an interview with the PostmasterGeneral, and urged on him the adoption of a four weekly Californian route. The Post-master-General spoke favourably of the proposal, but said it was a Cabinet question. Mr Robertson's appointment aa Commissioner of Public Works is rumoured. The testimonial fund has reached £1000. Wool sales are firm. The schooner Mariposa has been wrecked at Broken Bay—crew saved. Fawcotfc, the police magistrate afc Casino, has been committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter. Queensland. The Executive has decided that the law shall take its course in Prendergast'e case. Severe floods continue. Gympie is flooded. A publican named Dulling at Newcastle has committed suicide. Farnell, M.L.C., has been installed Grand Master of the Freemasons. The Assembly refuees to commit the Divorce Bill, with a view of obtaining an amendment giving a wife power to obtain a divorce from her husband. The supplies have been voted for the current month. The Clontarf picnic held on St. Patrick's Day was a great success.

The Treason Felony Act hae expired, and the Government do not intend to renew it. Arrived—Aborigine from Hokitika. The rivers are still rising ; the Richmond River is 21 feet, Nepean is 15 feet, and Hunter 29 feet above the ordinary level; all are still rising. This is likely to prove the highest flood known. In the Hunter district, the public buildings and others that stand high were orowded with sufferers. Railway traffic is interrupted. The Nereid, from San Francisco, has arrived, having been ordered from Auckland. She brings 6000 quarter-sacka of flour and 1200 sacks of wheat, a portion of her original cargo. The daily issue of "The Press" ** 2,500 Copies.