BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2587, 23 May 1870, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Timabtj, May 22nd. A fall of about five inches of rain has taken place here from Wednesday morning to Friday afternoon. A few small bridges and culverts have been washed away. In the town itself, a culvert burst, and washed away a portion of Messrs G. G. Russell and Co.'s store, damaging a small quantity of grain. All the rivers were rendered impassable. The Timaru Herald, in noticing the proposal to unite Canterbury and Otago, says it is not practicable, but speaks favourably of the annexation of the districts of Timaru and Gladstone to Otago, on the same terms as Southland. "No one," adds the Herald, <c will dispute the broad fact that, geographically, commercially, and socially, the Timaru district is more a portion of Otago than of Canterbury."

Bluff, May 21st. The s.s. Omeo, Captain G. Calder, arrived here with the English mails at 3.30 p.m. to-day. She left Hobson*s Bay on Saturday, the 14th inst., experienced light westerly winds -in Bass's Straits, and from thence strong easterly gales. She sighted Preservation Inlet at 6 o'clock this morning, and arrived as above. Captain Calder reports that the s.s. Great Britain, with 600 passengers, has arrived in Hobson's Bay after a passage of 54 days. Passengers per Omeo :—For Dunedin— Mrs R. M'Kenzie, Mrs Holmes, Messrs W. G. Neill and Kreitmayer. For Lyttelton—Miss Nissen, Miss Sykes, Rev. W. E. Paige, and Messrs Peterson, Francis, and J". Claye. For WellingtonMr William Colder. 17 in the steerage for various ports.

Melbourne, May 14th. The English mails were delivered on Wednesday.

Parliament was opened on Tuesday. The Ministry meditate holding a short session, with a view to arrange for a change in the financial year. The Government possess a powerful majority. The Rev. J. Herring, who has recently arrived from New Zealand, has been appointed by the Bishop to officiate in Trinity Church, East Melbourne.

The opening of the new Town Hall will take place in August, when the Mayor will give a grand ball and banquet.

Mr H. JB. Wilton has opened the Duke of Edinburgh Theatre. Notice of motion has been given in the Legislative Assembly, affirming the desirability of annexing the- Fijis to Victoria, Mr Sharp, produce merchant, has sustained serious injuries by falling over the balustrade at the Union Club HoteL Angus Colquhoun, plasterer, Hotham, has cut his throat. Mr E. M. Young has been appointed Manager of the National Bank. Mr Van Amstel intends shortly to visit the Governor of Java at Batavia. I>r M'Nichol, Coroner of Daylesford, is dead. Arrived.—Tfightingalej from Lytteltonj Gothenburg, on the 11th. Sailed.—Waterman, for Greymoufch. • Sydney. ■ The Spanish Consulate has been. abolished. A training establishment for Protestant female servants is proposed. Dr Waugh, Coroner of Goulbunij is dead. It is proposed to get vp a testimonial to Harrison and Bailey, in recognition of their exertions in rescuing the crew of the Walter Hood. Bird has been beaten by Walsh in a race of 100 yards. A letter-carrier named Callaghan na» been sentenced to twelve months'imprisonment for stealing a letter. The Southern Jockey Club Races havebeen postponed until the 7th June. The senior coxswain of the Swanstowa Customs boat dropped' down dead. Rain has again fallen heavily afc Sydney, and in the Hunter, Hawksbury, and Murrurundi districts. Another flood was expected, but the rain cleared off oit Friday. A return of the yield of gold during: the last four months- shows a falling of£> as compared with the corresponding period of last year, of 44 per cent. Maize is at 33 t© 3s 6d. ' Brisbane. The Ministerial elections are progressing. Tom Fawcett, the actor, has died atTownsville. Adelaide. A new Ministry has been formed, with Mr Stow as Chief Secretary. It is no% expected to retain office. Parliament meets on the 27 th May. Wheat is firm at 5s 3|d.