AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7528, 18 April 1885, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

[Reuter’s Telegrams.]

[Received April 17, at 12.40 p.m.]

BRISBANE, April 17,

Tho Hon S. Griffiths, Premier of Queensland, in an address delivered yesterday, defended the policy of the Government with regard to the question of coloured labour, and said that tho disclosures of the Polynesian Commission were enough to cast discredit upon the name of Queensland.

’ ’ SYDNEY, April 17. Sailed —Yesterday afternoon, s.s Te Anau, for Auckland.

[Received April 17, at 10.45 p.m. |

New Zealand wheat is selling here at 2s 3d; New Zealand oats, 2s 2d ; maize, 3s 3d per 561 b. Sugar Company’s No. 1 pieces, £26.

[Received April 18, at 2 a.m.]

The dispute between the Pacific Mail Company and tho Seamen’s Union still remains unsettled.

A Cabinet Council was held to-day, at which further measures were discussed for placing the defences of the Colony in a satisfactory condition.

MELBOURNE. April 17,

Government are in receipt of a telegram from tho Agent-General to the effect that the political situation is still very menacing.

The trial of the convict Barnes for the murder of the late J. B. Slack was concluded to-day. Prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to death.

ADELAIDE, April 17

Wheat market quieter, prices ruling from 3s 8d to 3s 9d. Flour—Town brands, £8 5s to £8 10s; country, £ll 5s to £ll 10s, Freights to London —Steamers, 20s to 235; sailing vessels, 23s to 265. Arrived Messageries steamer Salazie, from Marseilles.

Mauritius advices are to hand dated April 2, Messrs Ireland, Fraser and Co.’s circular gives the month’s engagements for Christchurch as 200 tons, and Dunedin the same amount. Freights to Australia rule 30s to 335. The sugar crop has been to a large extent improved by recent rains.