ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4296, 28 December 1874, Page 2

ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.

By the s.s. Alhambra, which arrived on the West Coast early on Friday last, and in Wellington harbor yesterday forenoon, we have our Victorian files to the 19th, with English dates to the 13th instant. . The following is the summary of news prepared by the agent of the Press Telegraph Association ; REUTER’S TELEGRAMS. London, December 12. Mr. Frederick Young has succeeded the late Mr. Eddy as honorary secretary of the Colonial Institute. Sir Charles Cowper, the Agent-General of New South Wales, is now convalescent. Money is rather easier. The Bank’s reserve is strong. The corn market is steady. December IS. The publication .of the documents which Count Arnim is accused of having abstracted has caused great dissatisfaction in Paris, because, in rebutting the views of Arnim, Bismarck demonstrated at length that a Republic in France was not dangerous to Germany, but would rather act as a political deterrent than prejudice monarchical institutions elsewhere. New York, December 8. President Grant in his message to Congress states that the foreign relations of the United States are friendly, but that the difference with Spain was not settled. The situation of Cuba was intolerable, and such as to provoke international intervention. The message recommended that specie payments should be resumed in 1876, and free banking. He should continue his present policy in the South until new legislation was proceeded with. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. VICTORIA. Melbourne, December 19. It is improbable that the prorogation of Parliament can take place before Thursday next, owing to the clerical business remaining to be done. The Council, after a long discussion, passed the Payment of Members Bill, but rejected, by a majority of one, the Mining on Private Property Bill. The Crimes and Offences Punishment Bill, which has given rise to great discussion owing to the flogging provisions it contained, has been laid aside on a point of order. Samuel Wilson, the well known Wimmera squatter, has made a munificent gift of £30,000 for building a hall at the University. The Bench has remanded the New Zealand murderer Sullivan to New’Zealand, to bo deported on the first opportunity. William Hull, an old colonist, and formerly a member of the Legislative Council, is dead. Thursday was the hottest day of the season, the thermometer registered 111 deg. in the shade. The new Judicature Bill is expected to come into operation in January. The convict Weechurch has been tried for an attempt to murder Warden Coghlan at Pentridge, and acquitted. Thirty-one horses were entered for the Australian Cup, and thirty-one for the Newmarket Handicap. , A large amount of sickness is prevalent in all parts of the colony. The cable between Batavia and Singapore has been interrupted during the week. The repairing steamer Agnes is on the spot and the repairs are now being effected. The Corporation loan for Otago was not successful. Timaru wheat and flour remain firm, but there is little doing. Telegrams received mention short shipments of candles and brandies, which will harden the price of both articles. Governor Weld will arrive by the January mail steamer.' Shipping. - Arrived ; December 16, Mary Banantyne, from Hokitika. Sailed : Circe, for Hokitika. NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, Dec. 19. The elections have weakened the position of the Government, and returned a largo number of independent members. This is likely to lead to the formation of an independent party. H.M.S. Dido, with Cakobau on board, leaves for Fiji next week. H.M.S. Blanche proceeds to New Zealand. Culbert and one of his sons have been committed for trial for the Tocal murder. Newcastle Shipping. Arrived: 15th, Planter,"from Wellington. Sailed: Ann Annicson, for Lyttelton; Isabella, for Auckland; 16th, Elderslie, Maria, and Amateur.