LATEST AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3282, 23 January 1868, Page 3

LATEST AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

Sydnet, December 28. From and after the Ist January the price of the Sydney Morning Eerald will be reduced to 2d. a copy, and that of the Empire to Id. Tremendous bush fires have been raging alone the telegraph line to Brisbane, and many posts have been burnt down, so that communication is interrupted. The drought is breaking: up at last. Some fine rains fell yesterday in the Maitland district. j |

December 31. Yesterday there was bush fires in the Geulburn district. The Catholic chapel at Wollongong had a narrow escape. A stable adjoining was consumed. A meeting of Protectionists was held yesterday, and was addressed by Nixon, formerly a member of the Victorian

Assembly. January 2. The heat continues intense. To-day is observed here as a general holiday. At an auction sale of sugar to-day prices were easier. Only a portion of the * Niagara's ' cargo was sold. Over 3,000 bales of wool were catalogued for today's sales. Little was sold. Prices were a halfpenny lower. American advises report the sailing of the barqne ( Mary Eason ' for New Zealand, with twenty casks of tobacco, and 66,489 feet of lumber; and the • Oathuya,' • Franklin,' and 'Hengist,'for Melbourne, with 21 hogsheads, 51 cases, and 319,3681b. of tobacco, 181,016 gallons of kerosine, and 70,000 feet and 10,971 pieces of lumber. The Empire was issued yesterday at Id., and has had a extensive sale both yesterday and to-day.

January 3. Bush fires hare occurred at Ulladulla and Braidwood, and a considerable amount of damage has been done in the neighbourhood. Fences and houses have been burned down. An outbreak is apprehended between the two sects of the community here on the occasion of the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh; but the i-xovern-ment has determined to suppress it on the first appearance of any such disturbance. They have ordered the enrolment of a number of special constables for the occasion. Sales of wool have been made at Id. per lb. lower' than last week's prices. Adelaide flour is quoted at £20 per ton. It is understood that the Panama mail steamers will in future sail direct from A spin wall to the Azores. About one-third of tbe ' Ellen's' cargo of sugar has been hold, at about £1 per ton of a decline. White crystals sold at £37105. to £38 15s. ; white counters, at £38 ss. ; fine yellows, at £35 to £37 7s. 6d. The ' Xulla,' from New York, brings 497 packages of tobacco, and 4,750 cases of kerosine.

January 4. The Sailors' Borne Committee have decided on having a grand pin-Die during the Prince's visit. The corporation also intend to give a fancy dress ball. Major Crammer, who yras the only " Waterloo man" in this colony, has just died at Port Macquarie. The inhabitants of Ulawarra district suggest a general fast-day and prayer for rain.

Adelaide, December 28. There is nothing doing in the wheat and flour market, owing to the high prices asked by holders. Inferior samples of flour are quoted nominally at from £18 to £20 per ton. A reived. — The 'Majaden,' from Mauritius.

December 31. The • Cost* Rica,' from Foo-Chow-Foo, arrived yesterday with a full cargo of teas, forty-four d»ys out. She has called here for orders. The South Australian Weekly Glironide. is to be enlarged to 140 columns. No business has been done to-day worthy of notice. The wheat and flour market is dull, and prices are nominal. Mr. Wells, the principal editor of the 8. A. Register, has resigned his position on that paper. A deputation of farmers from the districts abutting on the Northern Railways waited on the Commissioner of Public Works to-day, requesting that, in consideration of the failure of the crops this season, the railway train* might be allowed to bring up the materials for dressing their lands for next sowing free, delivered at the stations. The Commissioner promised to consider the request favourably.

January 2. A bottle has been picked up on the »hore at Port Kobe, containing a letter stilting: — " Barque • Lochnagar,' Ist June, bound from London to Wellington, ninety-two days out. We have had a constant eucceision of gales, and were hove to in a hurricane for thirty-six hours on the 20th May. All well at present. " The body of a man was found to-day drowned near the jetty at Glenelg. No transactions have taken place in the market for breadstuff* that are worth reporting. Prices remain about the same, viz., for old wheat from 7s. 6d to Bi. , and for new from 4*. to 63. 6d. per bushel, according to sample. Flour is quoted at from £17 10a. to £19 10s. per ton. The 'Ariadne,' from the Baltic, with timber, is ordered en to Melbourne.

January 3 Sheep-boiling-down at the establishment at Fort Augusta is proving very successful. The proprietors, by erecting more boilers, will guarantee to boil down 10,000 sheep per week. The Hon. Arthur Blyfch and family intend to visit England in the ship ' Darra,' which is to sail shortly for London. It is also stated that the Hon. Mr. Duffield proposes visiting Europe. Captain Oiboroe is now at the Moonta, engaging 200 miners for the Peak Downs copper mines. The corn market is very dull, and bat little business is being done. Prices are consequently somewhat easier. Sailed. — ' Coorong,' s., for Melbourne, ab 3 p.m.

January 4. A leading article in this morning's Advertiser ■trongly declaims against the action of the Victorian Government;, in literally proclaiming their own indispensability, and actually having the impudence to go to the country on that Tery issue, and ask the electors to gire them carte-blanche to overthrow the Constitution and establish a dictatorship, insolvency, and fraud. Samples of barley have been exhibited in town, grown from California seed, which produced forty bushels to the acre. General business continues very dull. The corn market is quiet ; sales of old wheat have been made at 7s.

Brisbane, via. Sydney, January 4. The Governor embarked to-day in the 'City of Brisbane,' on his way to New Zealand. Colonel O'Connell was sworn in to-day as ActingGovernor. Maryborough diggings continue to give good results.