AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 785, 26 November 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wkliiboton, November 13. The collier Camille has just arrived from Newcastle. She brings later papers with London dates to October 28. Sydney October 31. Bumors of the appointment of Hon. Edward Butler, the Attorney-General, as Chief Justice, are gaining ground. Messrs Salomons and Windeyer are spoken of as likely to be the Attorney-General. Melbourne, October 31. Parliament will adjourn next week. The European telegraph line is still interrupted. , ... There has been a large sale of city property, belonging to Mr Thomas Brown, formerly of Sydney. It is fronting B< urke and Queen streets. It realised L 45.800; ad high as Ll9O per foot was obtained. The Treasurer has given 1 50 as a pnz a , to be contended for between the visiting teams, with the military smallbores. The Bteamer Alexandra, with the Italian Opera Company on board, went ashore on the Swan Spit, near the entrance to Hobson's Bay, at daylight this morning. It is exDected she will be floated off at high water. * November 1. A challenge trophy is to be shot for, on condition that it be wen three times by any intercolonial team before it passes into their possession. AdelaiT)B> November 1. In consequence of the interruption to the telegraphic line in Persia, London messages are being sent via Turkey. Hobart Town, October 61. His Excellency the Governor prorogued Parliament today, and in the course of his speech, after reviewing the session, he promised that Ministers would employ the recess in giving attention to the financial resources of the Colony, public institutions and Crown Lands, with a view of submitting measures for adjusting the revenue and expenditure. Bis Excellency also promised an anxious watching of the main line of railway contract and works. He congratulated Parliament on the prosperity of the Colony.

Invercakgill, November 15. Thirty seven of the Lady Jocelyn's immigrants were engaged at high wages. The Immigration Officer reports that he could have found employmeut for 150 more. Building operations are at a standstill owing to the scarcity of carpenters, whose wages range from J 2s to 15s per day. Auckland, November 14. The B.s. Phoebe has arrived at the Mannkau Heads. November 15. 'I he Pbrebe brought twenty thousand sovereigns for the Bank of New Zealand. Napier, November 14. There were no tenders sent in to-day for the supdy of 300,000 feet of timber for the Waipuk'urau hue. This is attributed to thi extraordinary scarcity of labor. Arrangements were made yesterday with Messrs Brogden and Nons by the Provincial Government for the use of the railway line at the port for reclaiming the land near the new wharves and the station. The work will commence next week. The effect of the sham-fight and the demoDstration made by the Basilisk at Poverty Bay is believed to have done some good with the Natives. Chrtstchitkch November 14. The dinner in connection with the Agricultural Show took place last night. There were 170 persons preseut. The Governor, in responding to the toast of his health, said he was surprised at what he had seen of Canterbury. The show, in almost every department, would have done credit to any old show-county of England. He was gratified to find that the first prize for Clydesdale entires had been taken by Prince Charlie—a horse bred on his own estate in Ayrshire by Mr Fleming. The reception that he himself had met with in Canterbury was most gratify ing to*im. As Governor, he would do his utmost to maintain intact the union between Great Britain and New Zealand. Mr Vogel, on rising to reply to the toast of the Ministry, was demonstratively (sic) applauded. He referred to toe great progress and prosperity of Canterbury. Remarking upon the railway scheme, he said the conception of the grand idea was due to Mr Moorhouse, who waß formerly Superintendent of Canterbury. '1 he fact of Canterbury, with a population under 9,000, undertaking the constiuction of the railway from Lyttelton to Christchurch at the cost of a quarter ti a million, was comparatively a matter of greater magnitude than the Colonial Railway policy associated with hu (Mr Vogel's) name. In fact, it was the beginning of that policy. Railways should be looked upon as ordinary roads, in regard to which the question, "Will they pay the interest on the cfstof construction !" should never be asked, especially by a Government whose desire it was to open up and settle the country. In this way the repayment was equally sure, though indirect—A ball wan afterwards held in the Drill shed, at which 300 persons were present, including the Governor and Lady Fergusson. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Auckland, November 14 The Evening Mar boat went off to thi Pbiebe fro n theManuk.uHeads,andbrought the following summary of Australian and English news : Sydney, November 6. The Government have carried the new Tariff Bill slightly amended. They intend to appoint the Chief Justice next week. The A uckland riflemen, for Melbourne, left yesterday. Melbourne, Novembers. A number of extra prizes have been offered by the Rifle Association. Ihe Church Assembly has concluded its sitting. The Bishop goes Home in March relative to the new bishopric of Ballarat Ihe girl named Brown, who shot her lover at Muckleford has been remanded The Alexandra steamer, which went ashore in the West Channel, has been got off by two steam tugs. Captain Stuart's eertiheate has been suspended by the Marine Board for ore month. The bricklayers threaten to strike for higher wages. air Hercules Robinson, Sir George Bowen, Lady Robinson, and 1 ady Bowen visited Sandhurst, and had a splendid reception. The Melbourne papers give the bare results of the racing, owing to the discourtesy of the Committee of the Racing Club towards the Press. The Committee has since apolo gised. The bootmakers are out on strike. The sawmill men at Kchuca have struck for the eight hours system. At a meeting of the woolbrokers, the wool buyers resolved not to buy at the public sales, unless a draft rate of lib. per cwt. hi allowed. The barque Anna, bound for the Manukau, has been wrecked on King's Island. She was loaded with Jarrah timber from Freemantle. The cargo was insured for LI,OOO. The captain's wife and two passengers were saved. The Assembly will be prorogued next week. It has passed the Appropriation Bill. There will be no steamer from here till next Thursday. The Audit Commissioners have reported a deficiency of L 9.372 in the accounts of O'Farr«U, the licensing clerk of the Land Department. It is probable that the amount would have been found to be larger, had not the re-ceipt-books been destroyed. The Roman Catholic Chapel at Inverleigh has been burned to tbe ground. The total land revenue for last year was L 865.553. The reveuue from the pastoral occupation was L164.0U0. Sydney, November 8. The Government retain the duties on galvanised wire, doors, and Bashes, in the amended Tariff Bill. The Opposition are now becoming factious, and are endeavoring to oust the Ministry before they appoint a new Chief Justice. The Torres Straits line has secured the steamers Sun Foo, Flintshire, and Tom Morton. The first mail leaves here in the Christmas week. His Honor Judge Hargreaves has referred to the Crown Law Officer tbe conduct of three western newspaper proprietors, with a view of punishing them for a contempt in referring to the Moggridge murder before the trial. . The mail steamer took Home L 140.000 in 490 tons tin ore bave been received during the last month from the Northern mines. The banks have reduced tbe exchange on London to ij premium. Brisbane, November 8. Numbers of miners are arriving at George Town, and some are returing from Charters Towers, frightened at the risk of starvation. A few are determined to reach Palmerston at all risk. The news of their efforts to reach there by the Endeavor River track is anxiously looked for. Thirty-three deaths have occurred on board the immigration ship Humboldt, from Hamburg, some from scarlatina, others from scurvy. The vessel has been quarantined for one month. Tbe body of Gilbert Wright, solicitor, has been found in Kelly's paddock, about a mile from Mackay ? 8, with a handkerchief tightly drawn round the neck.

Wellington, November 15. The Banqueting Committee have fixed on Friday next as the day for entertaining the Superintendent and M r Bunny. The banquet wifi be held in the Theatre, and an immense attendance is certain.

Auckland, November 15. The Auckland Cri ket Club gave a grand opening fSte at Ellerslie to-day. Trams were running on the Onehunga line, conveying visitors. 1 here Were over 2,000 persons present. The whole affair was a great success. . All the Superintendency returns are in but one unimportant di>trict. The majority for Mr Williamson is 462. New Plymouth, November 15. The assessors for the railway compensation claims have decided against the Government 30,000 acres of the Puketapu block were paid for yesterday. The price was L 3.750, or 2s 6d per acre. Lyttelton, November 15. The ship Cardigan Castle has arrived, 84 days from Plymouth, with 206 statute adults. She reports four births and four deaths on board. The deaths were amongst the infants. Oamaru, November 15. There are numerous entries for the bhow to be held on the 20th inst., especially horses and cattle. The sale of booths has just been held ; the amount realised was L9d. Ihe weather is wet. Napier, November 17. The Government have decided to hold the next Colonial prize-tiring at Napier. The spot chosen is four miles from town, at Taradale, on ground lent by Mr Tiffin. The prospectus of a new journal to be published at Gisborne has been published. The paper will be issued on the Ist January, and is t» be called the Poverty Bay Herald. It will be a bi-weekly, aud the same size as the Hawke's Bay Herald. Christchurch, Notembe* 17. The Provincial Council was opened on Saturday. The Superintendent gave a luncheon to members, the Governor and the Premier being invited guests. Ford and Co. held a large sheep sale, principally from the flocks of Sutton Bros., gouthlaud, and Mr Toluiie, Dunedin. One of Sutton Bros ' Lincoln rams brought L 155. The total amount realised was about L2,001>. Ananginents are being made to hold an Interprovincial Steeplechase at the Waimate in 1874, including a Maiden Plate of two miles, a Handicap of three miles, a Weight for Age Race of two and a half m les, and a Consolation Hace of two milts. 'lhe added money will be L3OO. In a billiard match, Weston, the Australian champion, gave Crump, a local amateur, 500 points in 1,000 for i 25 a side. The latter won by sixty-four points. MELBOURNE CUP. Auckland, November 15. The following are the horses that started for the Melbourne Cup besides the winners:— Hamlet, Priam, Arrow, Lancer, Exile, Dolphin, King of Clubs, M'Callum Mohr, Early Morn. Ca'abar, Protos, Index. Ace of Trumps, Benj too, Kin? • om, Lapidist, Victorian, Lothair, Fearnought, Bismarck, and Fitzyattendon. Prior to the start, betting on the course placed Lapidist second favorite. Horatio went back. The latest odds were- 4to I against Don Juan ; 5 to 1 against Lapidist; 7 to 1 against Horatio. After several false starts, the field got away on good terms, Protos being first to show in frout, followel by Lapidist, the ruck close up and all together. No material alteration in the relative positions took place at the back of the course until they neared the scrap ng sheds, when Don Juan, who occupied a good position throughout, was seen drawing to the front, attcuded by Horatio and Dagwoith. In this order they passed the Stand all three together ; as they passed under the hill round the Abattoirs, Horatio split his hoof badly. Don Juan tb<n assumed a clear lead, and by this time tl ruck tailed considerably. The Arrow coming away from them, made an effort t* join the readers. From this point there were only four in the race J 'on Juan was never caught and won pretty easily; Arrow finishing fourth. It was a very fast run race, considering the heavy state of the course. Time : 3 min. 46 sec. Don Juan b South Australian bred, by I ucifer, out of Levity. He ran only once before in Victoria. m Wellington, November 17. On application in the Divoree Court today, the Otago case, Palmer v. Palmer, was set down for hearing on Wednesday next. Mr Hackworth, formerly Collector *f Customs at Wellington, had a paralytic strike while in Auckland. He is much better, but must retire from active work for a time. Auckland, November 17. The half-yearly meeting of the South British Insurance Company was held at two o'clock to-day. The report stated that L 9.375 had been realised by the sale of shares for increasing the capital of the company, and that amount bad been carried forward to the reseivefund. The receipts for the half-year amount to L 17.933, being an increase of L 3.931 on the business of the previous half-year. The losses have been heavy, amounting to L 9.551, including LI, 130 not paid before August 31. The balance carriel forward to the profit and loss new account is Lll 941, including L 625 transferred to tbe reserve fund, making LIO,OOO Total assets, L 50.000. The bulk of the business done is in yearly policies, which only expire at the close of the first year of the company's operations. The dilectors recommend making a call to provide more capital. The present investment* are L 43.220. Cash in hand, L 8.397. The report was passed, and Mr Beethara, Captain Daldy, Hon. Mr Chamberliu, Messrs Earl, Howard, and Jones were re-elccted directors. The chairman congratulated the company on the sound state of its affairs. November 18.

The Alexandra correspondent of the Herald, who was lately visited by Tawhaio, says :—" Drink has obtained such a hold on the Kingites, that they will sacrifice anything to obtain it. 11 is rapidly killing them. Te Kooti is reported to be a vict m of rum. "He wants to be tried in England, and says he will get a fair trial there, but the Pakehas here are so incensed against him, that they refuse to hear his defence. He says he will never engage in war again, but will plant corn, catch fish, and drink rum, which is better." Oamaru, November 17. For the Bhow on Thursday there are 170 horses entered, or nearly double the number of last year. The cattle entries are I<>o. the last Bhow only G9 ; and sheep 112 entries. It is expected to be a grand show; there are numerous visitors coming from the North. Grahamstown, November 17. The Shortland Sawmill Co. have got more than 2,000 logs of kauri down the creek today, valued 6 at LIO.OOO or L 12.000. A few have floated out to sea. Tairanca, November 17. Mr Chadwick, a large property holder, threatens to fence and ditch a portion of the Tauranga and fvapier main road, in consequence of the Government declining to give him compensation. Sueh a course would stop the mail and other communication. Nafieb, November 17. Several hundred thousand feet of sawn timber are lying in the Seventy-Mile Bush awaiting transit. There is no haulage available, though the roads are in excellent order. The price of the timber is 17b per 100 ft,

A contract baa been taken for LBSO for tbe construction of a bridge across the N garuroro, which will bring the traffic ef the Southeastern district of the Province to the rail way. . . 2,600 acres of agricultural land a*joining the railway station on the Waipara are advertised for sale, and are being laid off now. Tenders are called for by the Superintendent for the reclanmtion of four acres of the lagoon adjdning the proved wharves and railway stations at Port Ahuriri. Four very valuable Lincoln ram", and ten Lincoln ewes, for Mr Ormond, M.H.R., and two Cotswold rams for Mr Hamilton, ar rived by Rangatira, ex Queen Bee, to-day. Westport, November 17. With the early epring tide tbe "arbor Master crossed the bar and took the ps. Comerang into the Ngakaw hau this morning. She is now loading at the shoot, and will tranship ber cargo into the schooner Pearl at Westport, for Lyttelton. The Comerang will then go back to Ngakawhau for a cargo of coal for Westport consump ion, and again return for a load for Wanganui, she being under charter to return to carry cattle for Westport. Captain Johnston, Mr Blackett, and Mr Seed arrived in the Luna on Sunday, and visited the Ngakawhau yesterday. All three gentlemen expressed their astonishment at the extent of tbe Albion Coal Company's mines. November 18. The Comerang ir in tbe river from Ngakawhau, with 100 tons ef coal. She will return to Ngakawhau to-morrow, weather permitting, and proceed thence to Nelson. Chrirtchubcii, November 17. The railway returns for the year ending September 30 show an excess of receipt over expenditure amounting to nearly L2O 000 At Saturday's sheep sale, Messrs John I Martin, M'Master, and Hume, of Wellington, Mr Amos of Oamaru, and Mr M. K. Miller of Hawke's Bay, were large purchasers. The Auckland cricketers who arrived on Friday, practised to-day. The general opiniou is that the match will be a good one, but that < 'anterbury will win ; it commences on luesday. Wednesday is proclaimed a half-holiday, when the Governor will attend the cricket match. November 18. Mr Nosworthy's sale of racing stock took place to-day. The Governor, Captain Fergusson, and the Superintendent were present Tlie principal sales were:—Lurline, the winner of the Canterbury Cups for 1872 and 1873, to Mr H. Bedwood, Nelson, for 750 guineas; Calumny, to Mr R. Kay, Canterbury, for L 550 ; Defamer, to Mr L. Water, Canterbury, for 1170; Hatred, to Mr K. Ray, for L3OO ; Malice, lo Mr R. N. Campbell. Canterbury for L 220. The total sum realised was about L 3.000. Wellington. November 18. Preliminary arrangements are being made to establish an Insurance Company her<, with LlO sharcp. Some good names are connected with tbe enterprise. Not less than one-third of the capital is to be called in twelve months to form a reserve fund. A sanguine feeling is raised in some quarters regarding the success of the scheme. At auction to-day tbe South British Insurance hbares sold for LI 17s Gd, the National Insurance realised LI 2s. November 19. The Luna will shortly leave Wellington for a month's trip, with a party on board consisting of tbe Hon. Mr Keyno'ds, Mr Seed, Captain Johnston, aud probably Mr Blackett, At Port Chalmers she will pick up the Chief Surveyor of Otago. They will determine the sites for new lighthouses. NAriER, November 19. The range for the « olonial prize-firing has been selected at Green Meadow, about three miles from Napier, by the new Taradale road. There is very extensive room for eight or ten sets of targets abreast. The ground is laid down in grass, and there are no intersecting watercourse or hills in the backg. ound to stop the bullets. About 2,000 acres have been taken up in fifty and 100-acre sections on deferred payments in a block set apart under the Hawke's Bay S.ttlements Act. Surveyors are urgently needed, but are not to be had. The Customs receipts for October amount to L 3.948, as compared with L 2.715 for October. 1872. The increase is solely due to the steady expansion of the ordinary trade. An attempt is being made to resuscitate the Jockey Club, and to hold races in March. The earthworks on the Pakapaka railway are finished, but considerable delay will be caused by the difficulty of obtaining timber for the bridges. Tenders are again called for the supply of timber for the tramway beween Waipukurau ani the Seventy-Mile Rush. Ttndeis to be opened on December Ist- « V • Ttie Rangatira, from Poverty Bay. brings intelligence that Mr Woodbine Johnston, brother of the Hon. Randal Johnston, has been elected by a large majority to represent Poverty Bay in the Auckland Provincial Council. Edwin Wood, Collector of Fducation Rates at Gisborne, has been arrested on a charge of embezzlement Reports from the petroleum springs are favorable, and a large number of fresh shares has been taken up. A strong desire is felt that Dr Hector should report upon them.

Auckland, November 18. L 15.000 Fiji Government debentures, bearing interest at 10 per cent., payable iu New Zealand or Fiji, are offered through the Fiji Banking Company. Tenders are receivable till noon on December 13. The complete returns of the Superintendency election give Mr Wiliamson a majority of 401. The official declaration will be made on Thursday. The Provincial elections are passing «ff very quietly. At the Eden nomination, no second candidate offering, Mr William Buckland, who was riding along the road at the time, consented to stand, and was elected unopposed. The other districts mostly promise a contest. ChbistiHOKCu, November 18. Tbe Governor visited Kaiapoi and Bangiora this morning. At the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day tbe captain of the ship Punjaub was charged with supplying impure water and improperly cooked meat to the immigrants during the voyage ; also with not having a proper quantity of medical comforts onboard. He was fined L 5 each in two cases of improperly cooked food. The two charges of impure water and insufficient medical comforts were dismissed. Hokitika, November 19. The Tararua arrived this morning. She left Melbourne at 5 a.m. on the 14th, and was tendered at 12.30. She brings 21 saloon, 89 steerage passengers, and a full cargo for all ports She sailed North at 12.45 p.m.