ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WAKATIPU.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4890, 23 November 1876, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WAKATIPU.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By the Wakatipu, which arrived in harbor at 8 o’clock last night, we are in receipt of Sydney files to the 16th inst., from which we extract the following telegrams : . . Brisbane, November 16.

Commissioner Maokay advises that Queensland has been awarded thirty-nine prizes at the Philadelphia Exhibition, eleven being for wool. Davenport’s exhibit was acknowledged to be the most perfect there. The Peak Downs and Mount Perry companies take prizes for copper. The Ramsey has cleared with 2311 bales wool and the usual sundries.

Mr. Pring has resigned the Judgeship of the Central District Court.

Dr. Drache was drowned in Hotham Creek, Pimpana. The body has been recovered. Melbourne, November 16.

The Assembly struck out the grocer’s license from the Publicans Bill. A, motion to omit colonial wine licenses was negatived; but the license was raised for houses for the sale of colonial wine.

The Rev. A. Simpson, the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly, delivered a long inaugural address last night. Richard Gordon, cook of the ship Duchess of Edinburgh, was stabbed by a seaman named Frederick Ginger, and died from the wound. The two men had quarrelled in the galley over a trifling matter. Mr. Audley Coote suggests that a duplicate cable be laid down by way of Normanton, and terminating at Singapore, Rangoon, or False Point, India, instead by way of Banjoewangie. Sir Hercules Robinson proceeds on a visit to Mr. Finlay, at Glenormiston, to-morrow.

The cost of Government House and Domain amounted to £130,000 ; and the furniture and fittings to £14,000.

The National Mutual Life Association presented a satisfactory report, which was adopted. Mark Lyons, so frequently remanded for the South African diamond robbery, has been discharged. The weather to-day was very hot and dusty. About 5000 oases of kerosene sold ; diamond at Is. 10Jd., and Dovoe’s up to 2s. Sardines are inquired for. Good inquiry exists for sugars. A clause has been carried in the Publicans Bill that no new license be granted until after the expiration of three years from the passing of the Act, and subsequently only on requisition of ratepayers. The penalties against selling adulterated liquors are very stringent. The House sat till late, and strangers were excluded from the galleries. S. Gardiner’s bull Cherry Oxford has been sold for a thousand guineas.

A fire occurred at Bichmond. Several small two-roomed tenements were destroyed. The amount paid in stakes amounts to £10,168 ; Mr. Wilson received £3701 ; Sir Hercules Robinson, £IBBS ; Mr. De Mestre, £6lO ; Mr. H. Power, £623 ; Mr. G. Blackmore, £505 ; Mr. Gerrard, £397 ; Mr. Sacqui, £365 ; Mr. Sevior, £36.

The sculling race of a mile on the Lower Yarra, between Henry Ireland, of Sydney, and Sydney Edwards, of Melbourne, for £2OO, was won ,by the latter easily. There was not much interest taken in the race. A steamer accompanied the boats.

A Mr. Duggan was fined to-day for selling brandy purporting to be manufactured by Hennessy.