AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 414, 25 August 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Pllit IIICKO, AT AIOKLANI).) MiaiiorKNE, Augnst 17. The land sales have averaged 125.000 acres monthly, against 85,000 monthly for last year. A party has gone to Flinders Island to try to raise the wrecked ship City of Foo(Jhoo. In the Financial Statement the Treasurer referred to (lie proposed Industrial Exhibition, which was to cost from LBO,OOO to L 1.00,000, extending over several years, and L7OOO is now asked for the commencement. Tiio land tax would he the same as that previously proposed. From tliis source lie estimated to receive L 20,000. Duties at fixed rales would be remitted to the amount of L 80,753, and new duties would he imposed to the amount of L 15,000, with increased duties of L 28,500 or L.28,000 for present year. IJrisisaxk, August 18. Some Chinese have stuck up Warden ITasard, and robbed him of L2OO. The steamship Normanby struck on an unknown reef oil' Percy Island, at the west end of Pine Islets. On the first soundings being taken in the fore compartment it showed 2ft. Gin. of water. The vessel was beached oil' Lagoon Island at half flood tide. There was then Bft. of water in the fore hold. She landed her passengers, stores, and mails. The ship was then full of water in fore and main holds, but there was no water in the engine-room or after hold. The ship was aground fore and aft at low water. All the passengers, mails, and specie were transhipped. Divers, with pumps, leave for the scene of the wreck on Saturday. Captain lieddell considers the vessel may be saved if immediate assistance is sent. The schooner Bob-Tail-Nag has arrived from Rockhampton with labourers. The vessel was fired at by the natives of one of the islands when leaving. Ten of the recruits, becoming home sick, jumped overboard and were drowned.