AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2817, 13 May 1872, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

At the Geelong Circuit Court, two brothers named Clarke, convicted of stealing cattle, were sentenced to four years on the roads. The bazaar at St. George's Hall, Melbourne, held by members of the theatrical profession, has proved a great success. A man, named William Davidson, was found floating in an insensible state on the river Xarra, near Princes bridge, early on the morning of April 29. He had dropped his' hat into the river, aud, in" endeavoring to recover it, over reached himself, and was precipitated into the river. A male child, apparently about a week old, was found abandoned at a doorstep, in Courtney street, Hotham, Melbourne.

A woman named Mary Ann O'Connor was found in a hulf dead state, under a tree in the Fi .. >v G.-7-n*., early on tbe mornn;-; if th<* l! 1. th ultimo. A proposal has been made hy the Governor of Western Australia lor the introduction of GOO Swedish immigrants, the new-comers to be provided with a tract of land that shall bo set apart for them, and which they are to occupy rent free. At Ballnrat, the men worlvinsj at the Phoenix Foundry have obtained a half-holiday ou Saturdays by working half an hour later each other day in the week. At the Geelong Circuit Court, on April 30, a trooper named Forbes brought an action against a stock owner for damages sustained by injuries inflicted by a bull, laying the damages at £3000. The jury, not being able to agree, were discharged without giving a verdict. The Geelong Advertiser says that " one of the beneficial effects of the tariff can be seen at Volum's brewery, in the shape of a large and well-ap-pointed new malthouse, which has been erected at a considerable cost Formerly Messrs "Volum and Co. used to import their malt, but now they find it will be cheaper to buy the barley they require from tho farmers, and make their owu malt."

During the present Victorian Ministry's term of office no less than six police magistracies have become vacant. Of these five have been filled up by amalgamation with others, and no fresh appointments have been made for them.

Steamboats must be paying well in Victoria and the other colonies. The Western Australian Journal, the Perth Inquirer, of the 3rd April states:— "By the brig Vision, which vessel arrived in Gage's Roads, from Melbourne, on Wednesday last, Mr AVallace Bickley returned to this colony, and we very greatly regret to say without succeeding in the main object of his mission. Mr Bickley personally visited Melbourne and Sydney, and set on foot reliable inquiries in Adelaide and Tasmania, but in neither quarter could he obtain a steamer suitable for our purposes on terms of ' subsidy ' such as could be entertained, nor was an eligible vessel procurable even on any reasonable terms of purchase. The Rob Roy was doing far too well on the Melbourne and Portland line for her owners to dream of taking her off the trade, and every really good vesßel adapted for the service of this coast was equally in demand."

A startling occurrence took place on Saturday afternoon, April 21, in the vicinity of the Tarra Bend Lunatic Asylum. Two boys, who were the nephews of a patient in that institution hired a boat from MrSmith, of the opposite bank, and took their uncle on board with them, he being out on leave. Two other boys, sons of one of the warders, also went in the boat. Shortly afterwards the people on the bank lower down were horrified by seeing the boat making straight for Dight's Falls, being impelled by the lunatic, whom the boys were vainly endeavoring to restrain. They did not dare to touch him at all, since he had Btolen or purchased a revolver while on the shore, and kept this pointed at them swearing he would bio w their brains out if they did not leave him alone. He had been seized with a mad fit, and was foaming at the mouth. The boat plunged at the falls, and went right over them, everyone expecting to see it stove in and the occupants all in the water the next minute. However, it shot over safely, and the violence of the madman abating, the boys managed to run the boat over the bank. Of course they were all in a terrible fright. The boat was half full of water, having started some boards in going over the stones. The lunatic did no further mischief, and was speedily lodged in the asylum.

The directors of the Geelong Meat Preserving Company have issued a report and balance-sheet, showing the results of the operations from November last, to be submitted to the shareholders at the first half-yearly meeting, to be held on the 7th inst. The directors report that tbe number of sheep slaughtered was 40,197, and the number of cattle 274 head. They had considered it advisable "to extend the plant of the company, and the works are now capable of preserving 4,500 sheep per week, or an equivalent number of cattle. Estimating the value of meat consigned to London and on hand at a low figure, the directors report the satisfactory balance to the credit of profit and loss account 0f£2072 15s 3d; from which, however, it is not deemed advisable to recommend a dividend at present. The following unsatisfactory announcement is made by the Pleasant Creek News : —" It is very probable that some of our largest nockowners will quit the Wimmera district if it be possible to do so at anything short of an absolute sacrifice. They-find that Queensland offers a much better field for pastoral purposes, and propose investing their capital in that country. A block of land is about being stocked there by Mr S. "Wilson, capable of carrying half-a-million sheep. It is Mr Wilson's purpose, we believe, to scud a flock of 20,000 maiden ewes there as a first inetalmeut. This kind of speculation will raise the prospects of the sister colony very considerably. The attraction of capitalists to that will ensure the industry of wool-growing being carried out effectively, and will elevate it to that position in the wool market at home which. Victoria has hitherto en-

joyed." The success of the Australian racehorses on the Indian turf has led Messrs. Hunter and Co., of Calcutta, to embark in a venture of the greatest importance to the breeders of tho-rough-bred horses in Victoria. Yesterday the ship James Service hauled off from the Sandridge town-pier, having on board twenty thorough-bred horses, from three to" five years old, shipped to the order of the firm mentioned. These valuable animals have

been specially selected by Mr W. 0. Yuille for racing purposes. They are all from well-bred mares, and by such sires as Panic, King Alfred, Touchstone, and Boiardo. As this ship is very successful in her trips with horses, there is every prospect of the shipment being landed iv good condition, and from their breeding and form, we may expect to hear of them making a name on many an Indian racecourse, though nu yet they are all untried. Unlortunately of late some traders have been in the habit ot' manufacturing a taking pedigree for any likely-looking animal they could pick up in the market, aud this fact has led to Victorian pedigrees being viewed with great suspicion by Indian sportsmen. In this instance the agent has taken great pains to get the breeders' certificate as to the pedigree of each animal shipped. The 'tween decks of the James Service are roomy and well ventilated, and the fittings and accommodation for her living freight are admirably contrived to secure the greatest amount of safety and comfort during the sea voyage.