AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4405, 25 December 1875, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

[per steamer at hokiuxa.] Melbourne, December 17. The division on the Budget debate was taken at two o'clock this morning, when Mr. Berry's amendment waa negatrred by 42 to 28, one or two Government supporters being abseil. A further amendment has been proposed ih favour of a dissolution, but this is not likely to meet a better fate, as there is decidedly a majority of the House against dissolution. There is very little prospect of the session coming to a elose at present. Commodore Hoskins paid an official visit to the acting Governor this morning, and was saluted from the ships of war and the batteries. 'J.he Pearl leaves for Sydney on Monday. The Dido proceeds to England, being under home orders. The non-arrival of the steamer Colima in Svdney has left the agents without any boat to take the mails on to California, and the Government has declined the offer of the Maegregor for the conveyance of the mails. The agents have advertised that in the event of the non-arrival of the Colima, there will be no boat available this month. Mr. H. H. lila.ll has served a writ on Mr. Dibbs, M.L.A., for slander, contained in his public speeches. Dibbs has accepted service, retained counsel, and it is said, intends to plead justification. There is no improvement in the weather. Eain still continues. Commodore Hoskins arrived by the mail steamer Singapore on December 13, two days early. COMMERCIAL. Melbourne, December 17. Owing to a telegram received, there has been an advance in kerosene. Sales have been made amounting to 32,0u0 cases, at the advanced price. There is no wheat In the market; flour sold at £13 15s. The weather here and at Adelaide is very unfavourable for harvesting. SHIPPING. Melbourne, December 17. Arrived: 15th—the Resolution, from Dunedin ; 16tli—the Tower Hill, from Wangaroa. Sydney, December 17. The bill for abolishing verdicts of felo de se passed the second reading in the Council. The Married Women's Property Bill, and the Secret Bill of Sale Bill were negatived. A large number of cases of erysipelas are reported. The contag : on ig caused by the attendance of medical men who had visited persons similarly diseased. Complaints are made of the scarcity of labour in the country districts. Information has been received that a young Englishman named Keys has been murdered by the natives at one of the Islands of the Gilbert Group. There is no later English news.