AUSTRALIAN INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4291, 21 December 1874, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN INTELLIGENCE.

VICTORIA. Melboukse, December 13. New Zealand 4 per cent, debentures have been offered in the market at 88. Both Houses of Parliament having settled steadily to business, there is every probability of the session being closed by the end of the year ; the only obstacle at present being the Payment of Members Bill, which comes on for second reading on Tuesday in the Council. It will all depend as to prorogation on the course the Council will take. A telegram has been received by the Government from Sir Andrew Clarke, stating that OTerrall, the Lands Department defaulter, has been arrested at Singapore. It seems O’Ferrail, lulled into false security, left Noumea, and proceeded to Queensland, and from thence by the Torres Strait steamer to Singapore. A detective has been despatched to bring him to Melbourne. It will perhaps be a matter of surprise to many in New Zealand to know that the notorious murderer Sullivan, who was deported some time since from that colony, has been arrested in Victoria under the Criminal Influx Act. In all probability, he will be again shipped to New Zealand. . Professor 'Wilson, of the Melbourne University, died suddenly on the 11th, from paralysis, at Schnapper Point. The EUora went ashore on the Pope’s Eye Shoal, just inside the Heads, on the 11th. She was not got off till next day. ‘ The disaster is attributed to tho thickness of the weather. Accounts received from all districts as to the result of the observations of the Transit of Venus are generally satisfactory. A very large number of photographs hat e been taken at nearly all the stations. In New South Wales the weather was remarkably fine, and the transit was observed under most favorable circumstances. In Victoria, after early morning, the weather cleared, and the transit was also seen well here, but in Tasmania it rained nearly all day, and the results obtained are very few. A case is now before the Admiralty Court relating to a bottomry bond over the barque Lady Franklin, belonging to George Thome, of Auckland. The new Bishop of Ballarat, and Archbishop Gould, arrived by the mail steamer. King Cakobau is returning to Fiji in H.M.S. Dido, and will not visit Melbourne. The Sydney cricketers have left for Melbourne to play against Victoria on BoxingBay. Mr. Weld, the new Governor of Tasmania arrived by the mail steamer ; but his family remain in West Australia for the present. NEW SOUTH WALES. Syduet, December 13. The election for East Sydney resulted in tiro return of . Messrs. Parkes, Stuart, and Davies, the Premier being the only ministerial candidate. Mr, Famell, Minister of Lands, was defeated at Paramatta. The new Torres Strait mail steamer Normanby made a very good passage. CojlltßUClAL,—Breadstuffs remain inactive ; prices are unaltered. Oats are decidedly firm, and there is more inquiry ; sales made up to ss. 3d, Very large transactions have been made during last few days in candles, over 40,000 boxes having changed hands. Teas and sugars still are in good demand. Hennessy’s case brandy sold at 28s. 4£d.; bulk, 7». IOJd.