AUSTRALIA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1129, 22 February 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Melbourne, February 12. The import markets are brisk. 1600 bushels New Zealand oats realised 3s. 9d. I The advance in flour is checked by recent [arrivals; sales at £11 to £12. Wheat, ss. 3d. . Maize steady at 3s. 6d. Fine congous, Is, 9J. to 2s. A good enquiry for sugars, and a further advance is looked for. Brewing crystals, £36 to £38. Large transactions in kerosene. Malt, 9s. 3d. Oilmen's stores are scarce. A shipment of ordinary pi-kles brought Bs. 3-1. Keiller's confectionery, 9| I. Mr. A. G. Fisher has produced proofs which re-establish his solvency. Mr. Duffy, M.L.A., delivered a lecture on the'poverty and discomfort of Ireland to a crowded audience. Tho newspapers cordially approve of the lecturer's opinions as being temperate and just. Business in the lands department has been greatly increased since the new Land Act passed. Land and sections bave reached fever height all over the colony. Numerous complaints have been issued, asserting the unworkable character of Mr. McKcan's Laud Regulations. Permission has been granted for selections being made on town commonages. Captain Gray, of the Great Britain steamer, will probably become Chief Harbour Master. There are several applicants. McCulioch, Higinbotham, and other leaders of the same party, have accepted an invitation to attend the Grand Liberal Association demonstration at Sandhurst. The new Opera Company has been highly successful ; crowded bouses, and the performances favourably criticised. The Chjureh of England Assembly have held their annual session. Discussions have taken place on important subjects, characterised by more than usual animation. ' The session closed yesterday. Bishop Perry laid the foundation stone ofthe new Church of England in connection with Trinity College, situate in the University reserve. Capt. S. Kilgour, ofthe schooner Black Hawk, has beon charged with stealing £o worth of books from Mr. Miles J. P., of New Zealand, formerly owner of the schooner. The charge was dismissed, the evidence showing the existence of a partnership between plaintiff and defendant. On the night of the 10th a fire broke out in Airey's cabinet maker's work-shop, and the building was destroyed. The flames spread to the premises of Guest, the biscuit maker, whose machinery was destroyed. The losses are covered by insurance to the extent of £6000. Arrived — Prosperity from Hokitika; sailed, Cadueeus for Lyttelton. Six hundred bales of wool were sold at the last sale of the season, and realised previous week's rates. The Victorian fl ig was inaugurated on board the Nelson on the 9th. There were present 2UO members of the Assembly, and the principal citizens. The Argus states thafc the American Mail Co., have hired the City of Sydney, the City of Adelaide, and the Wonga Won_a, to run from Sydney to Honolulu with the mails, in connection with the San Francisco service. Arrived — Io from Greymouth ; at Newcastle, Amateur from Lyttelton. Sailed, Wild Wave for Greymouth, Margaret for Riverton. The Omeo arrived on the 7tb. The Commercial B ink shareholders have agreed to write off" ten shillings per share with the view of liquidating Draper's defalcations, amounting to £16,000. No dividend will be declured. Tenders for the first 56 mil as of the North Eastern line have been called for. The English pedestrians make tlieir second public appearance to-day. Bird and Topley are reported to be in fine form. Sydney. The import markets are brisk. Flood's wool stores took fire at 2 o'clock on the 9th. Two stores and their contents were destroyed ; and a third much damaged. The fire is supposed to have originated through spontaneous combustion of New Zealand flix. The loss is £JO.OOO, covered by insurance. An amicable arrangement with the companies is expected. Tha week's wpol sales have been postponed in j consequence. Arrived. — Clipper ship Patriarch from London, after a passage of 6.9 days, the shortest on record. The rumour is revived that a white man, supposed to be the last survivor of Leichhardt's party, is living with the blacks a long way north-west of the Warrego district. Young's contract for the Exhibition building, for £17,475, has been accepted. Arrived, the Doesbing, from Batavia, with 300 tons sugar A disastrous flood has occurred at Clermont, Peak downs, Fitzroy river, Rockhampton, attended with great destruction of property and loss of life. Daniel D.dgleiih, the engineer of tbe Steam Navigation Board, was thrown from his horse and his skull fractured. liis recovery \$ considered improbable. James Wright, merchant, is insolvent. fli.s liabilities arc £13,000, and his assets, £7,400. Thu Bill reducing the Governor's salary has b.-en negatived. Adelaide. The wheat market is firm at os. 3d. A discussion in the Assembly has been

i favorable to adopting the Victorian land laws. The Treasurer's revised tarift bas been thrust out without a division. The Government is liberally encouraging gold prospecting. An early dissolution of Parliament is expected. Houart Town. Mr. Gibbin, the now Attorney General, has been elected without opposition. Sir Vincent Fleming, who leaves for England, bus sailed in the Eucalyptus tor -Duuediu.