AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2393, 5 April 1873, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, Saturday, March 29,

Preparations have been made for the reception and swearing in of Governor Bowen to-day, but the Victoria was still detained up to last night in Twofold Bay on account of the weather. The landing is now to be a private one, and the Governor is to be sworn in on Monday afternoon. A telegram has been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that the Home Government would introduce a Bill immediately removing the restrictions on intercolonial free trade. The Sydney Government are arranging a Californian service. One London firm, Glassford and Co, offer to do it for £52,000 a year. The Upper House Bill has passed the Assembly. The Glenelg railway is expected to be opened early in June. Sixty thousand tons of breadstuffs bave been exported from South Australia during the year. Captain Watts, formerly A.D.C. to Governor Macquarie, at Sydney, and for twenty years Postmaster, Adelaide, has died, aged sixty-seven. Parliament meets for the dispatch of business early in May. The Victoria with Governor Bowen left Eden this morning. The Atrato proceeds down the bay on a trial trip to day with about one hundred guests aboard. The intercolonial gig race takes places this afternoon. Six crews start from Sydney, Hobart Town, Melbourne, and Ballarat. The City of Ballarat Rowing Club and the Geelong Club are the favorites. * COMMERCIAL. Wheat is much wanted ; sales are made up to 5s Bd. Oats are firm, sales are made at 3s 4d to 3s Bd. The market is bare ; the arrivals from New Zealand are trifling. Sugars are in good request; the arrivals from Mauritius havo confirmed the news of the scarcity of stock. The Hadda left Mauritius for New Zealand on February 15. In Adelaide, wheat is selling at 5s to 5s Id for shipping parcels. Sydney. Sailed—22nd, W. C. Wentworth, for Auckland. Newcastle. Arrived—22nd, Drover, from Auckland ; 23rd, Louisa, from Lyttelton.