AUSTRALIAN.

Marlborough Express, Volume X, Issue 715, 2 June 1875, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, May 26.

Sir A. Gordon, Governor of Fiji, arrived at Sydney on the 26th. He is a guest at Government House.

The returns as to pleuro pneumonia shows that the previous experience of stock-owners confirms the beneficial effects of inoculation.

Captain Fild, of the barque Henry Buck, recently arrived, jumped overboard from the City of Newcastle, while on her way to Sydney, and was drowned.

Advanced rates are required for Martell's and Hennessy's brandies, and there is a stimulated enquiry for good second brands.

Melbourne, May 26,

The Australasian and European Bank has reduced its expenses by L 1,500, 500 per annum, with a view to enlarge their dividend.

The Commissioners have resolved not to open the Exhibition until September 2nd.

A general conference of the Wesleyan Church has resolved to open their doors to adherents, admission by ticket.

Parliament was opened to-day. The Gevenor's speech states that the educational system is becoming fairly established, and it is cherished by the people ; upwards of one hundred buildings are still required to extend the system to places where there are no schools ; and 600 buildings are wanted to replace those under lease. It is the intention of Government to submit proposals to erect the necessary buildings. The advantages that will accrue to this and other colonies by the establishment of free interchange of growths, products, and manufactures of various colonies had occupied the attention of the Government, and negotiations are m progress which it is hoped will result satisfactorily, and ultimately lead to a common understanding among all the Australian Colonies.

The Address m Reply was agreed to without discussion.

Wheat, 5s ; Hennessy's brandy, 8s 3d. The Tarariia has arrived. Brisbane, May 26. The Assembly has agreed to pay members L2OO per annum.

Adelaide, May 26. Lurline has won the Adelaide Cup easily. Wheat, 4s Id to 48 2d. Hobarton, May 26. The Executive has determined to allow the law to take its course m the case of John Smith, sentenced to death for rape. Cape of Good Hope, via Melbourne.

Cape papers state that the miners at the Diamond, fields are on bad terms with the authorities, and have established a semimilitary force of cavalry and infantry, arms are being bought m every direction. A proclamation issued by the Lieutenant-Governor was met by a counter proclamation from the Diggers' Association, complaining of the incapacity of the Local Government, but disavowing any treasonable intention.

Auckland, June i. Mr Reader Wood has been gazetted Provincial Secretary. . There is to be a household tax of 20s, and a bachelor tax of 10s levied for education purposes for the ensuing year. A Rotorua telegram states that a party of three gentlemen, named Adams, Kemp, and Gilfillan, while on their way m a, canoe to

Manaperua Spiing (Rotorua Lake), were capsized m a gale on the 27th inst, at Rotorua, between Ohinemutu, and the Island of Mokoia. John Gilfillan, of Wanganui, was drowned, the other two being saved by sticking to the bottom of the canoe, which drifted towards Mokoia, from whence the accident had been witnessed by some Natives, who made several unsuccessful attempts to launch a canoe to go to their assistance. Upon the canoe drifting within a short distance of and towards the Island, some Native women courageously swam to their assistance, and bringing the survivors to land, carried them, m spite of themselves, into a hot bath, which soon restored them. The state of the Lake prevented communication with the main land until Saturday morning.

The body of Gilfillan has not yet been recovered, although both Natives and Armed Constabulary are searching for it, and quite a gloom has been cast over the district by the accident, as Gilfillan was much respected.

Auckland, May 29. The Superintendent's prorogation speech m the Council was merely formal. He said he had transmitted for the information of the Governor the resolutions passed m regard to the proposed constitutional changes, which would abrogate the Act of Parliament passed m 1852 for the purpose of granting representative government to the Colony of New Zealand.

Mr Vesy Stewart writes to the Southern Cross : — " We have at present 47 families foi the block. About 32 families will accompany me and twelve more will follow m September. I had the pleasure of meeting the Hon. Mr Yogel m London. He received me most cordially, and I am happy to state he has fully and honorably carried out with me all the provisions of the agreement entered upon between Mr O'Rorke and myself. We start from Belfast m two ships ; the first will contain my family and the special settlers, and about 100 single girls \mder Mrs Stewart's charge. The second ship will follow m three or four days, and will contain specially wellselected farm servants and agricultural families of a most superior class, m fact, some of them will be almost equal to the special settlers. Dr Featherston and the Hon Mr Yogel have both kindly consented to come to Belfast to see us off."

Captain Casey has sent a lawyer's letter to the Star, demanding LSO and an apology, for publishing an account of the passage of the steamer Gemini under the heading "Dangerous voyage of steamer Gemini ; nearly all lost." In the event of a refusal, an action is threatened. The Star declines to retract or pay, and adds, m reply to Captain Casey's solicitor, "You will therefore be so good as to proceed with the action alluded to with as much expedition as may be convenient to your client."

Sailed— W. W. Smith, for London,