THE LATEST NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 221, 4 December 1875, Page 13

THE LATEST NEWS.

ARRIVAL OF THE ALHAMBRA AT THE BLUFF. Bluff, Friday. The Alhambra left Melbourne at 2.30 p.m. on the 27th of November, and arrived at the Bluff at 5 a.m. on the 3rd December. She brings 36 saloon and 96 steerage passengers and 350 tons of cargo for all ports. She sails for Dunedin at 5 p.m. CABLE MESSAGE. London, November 13. The representations from Australia, in favor of the annexation of New Guinea, are now under the consideration of the Cabinet. _ The weather has been unfavorable, with continual floods in England and France. The Strathnaver, from Sydney to London, and the Strathmore faom London to Otago, are posted at Lloyd’s as missing. Wheat unchanged. AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. Melbourne, November 27. The Treasurer made his financial statement. The expenditure for the year was £4,524,644, and he reckons on a probable deficit of £180,873, to meet which he raises £215,000, as follows:—Land and property tax, £125,000; income-tax for half-year, £60,000 ; bank notes tax, £26,000 ; increased succession duties, £4OOO ; which, after deducting the deficit, leaves a. surplus of £34,127. He also proposed relieving imported goods to the value of £1,065,977, producing £113,894 of revenue, and to borrow three millions for new railways, water supply works, and building State schools. The land and income-tax to be 5 per cent, within cities, towns, and boroughs, and 7 per cent, for the large estates. The income-tax, per cent, on all incomes above £SOO per annum. Berry, who led off the Opposition, moved an amendment that the financial proposals of the Government were unsatisfactory, and as yet only two other members have spoken. Service’s speech was considered on all sides as one of the very best ever delivered in the House. It is generally believed that the Government proposals will be agreed to, excepting the income tax, which is generally condemned and very unpopular. The Bill passed its second reading for permitting women to graduate at the University. The cable is still interrupted, and no communication obtained. It was expected a steamer would have brought messsages ere this. A valuable cow, for which £I7OO was recently refused, has died.

Scarlet fever is increasing. It has broken out m the Lying-in-Hospital, whore three deaths occurred, and the institution is consequently closed.

A steamer was launched on the Yarra today, built to the order of Hamilton, McLean and Co., of Lyttelton, for carrying mails between Lyttelton, Pigeon Bay, and Alcaroa. She is guaranteed to steam eleven knots. lhe case against Mason, member of the Assembly, was decided against him. He at once paid the amount, and the bookmakers handed over the money to charity. The scandal has caused much comment unfavorable to the member.

A young man named Raymond is missing from the branch of the 1 jondon Chartered Bank, Ararat. >Some irregularities have been discovered.

Shipping. Newcastle.— Arrived : 23rd, Australind, from Wellington ; 25th, Britain’s Pride, from Wellington. Sailed : 23rd, Anne Melliuish and Heversham for Wellington. Commercial.— Wheat continues in good request, sales up to 6s. Bd. to 6s. 9d. Hops have been selling freely ; brewing crystals show reduction, but whites remain untouched. Large sales of candles continued at full rates. Sydney, November 27. George I hornton has been appointed Executive Commissioner to Philadelphia. In the divorce case Tees v. ’l’ees, a verdict of £2OOO, the full amount claimed, was given against the co-respondent, a bank clerk. Dangar has given notice in the Assembly for the sum of £2OOO, to send a rifle team to America next year. The session is likely to be brought to a close in January. The financial statement will be made next week.

A cricket match is being played between the Albert Club and an eleven from Tasmania.

Adelaide, November 27. The Council for the second time rejected the Stamps Bill by a majority of one. The prorogation will probably be on Tuesday. Great indignation has been expressed at the progress of the colony being retarded, as all business has been postponed. Passengei's per Alhambra for Wellington : Dr. Newman, Messrs. De la Vieuxville, Y. de M. Sidrey, and 6 in the steerage.