LATER FROM AUSTRALIA AND MAURITIUS.

Otago Witness, Issue 744, 3 March 1866, Page 8

LATER FROM AUSTRALIA AND MAURITIUS.

By the arrival of the s.a. Tararua. we are m receipt of Sydney papers, containing two days later news! ' from Melbourne and Adelaide, and' Mauritius dates to 27th December. The following are the principal items: — MELBOURNE. 14th February. Mr Lalor has been elected Chairman of Committfes without opposition. In Dallimore v. the Queen, the Privy Council has decided in favor of the Queen, reversing the decision of the Supreme Court. It is rumored that the Governor has been recalled, and Sir William Denison apa pointed. It is proposed to make the Melbourne Bank a joint stock bank, to do general banking business. An association has been formed to take care of the registrations in the free trade interest. In the import market, business is languid. Adelaide flour is quoted at L2O to L2l, according to quality. Wheat is steadier, ■with more inclination to do business ; 7s 3d las been refused for Port Macdonnell. Maize is heavy, at 5s 6d. Oats lower ; prices, 4s 6d to ss. Bran is easier, Is 7d to Is Bd. Salt is firmer, stocks light. Low medium teas, Is sd. Bya°s' beer, in bond, is difficult. Hops, to land, 2s. Advices favorable. Tobacco shipments from New York are light. Four vessels' sailed thence for Melbourne. The Lady Bowen was loading for Sydney ; Veritas on the berth for Melbourne. Java advices to 31st ultimo report the Japan Packet as loading for Sydney, with sugar and rice; and Douglas loading for Melbourne. The brig Aray, from Valparaiso, had sailed from Batayia for Sydney, with original cargo. Arrived. — J. L. Hall, Mary Warren, from London ; Hiadoo, from Foo Chow. 15th February. In the Legislative Assembly, on the reply to the Address "moved by Mr Cole, an amendment hj Mr Fellows was carried by 18 to 7. The reply prepared by the latter will be considered on Tuesday. The Council states its willingness to agree to the protectionist tariff if it includes a duty on wheat, oats, barley, and other farm produce ; and at the same time expresses an opinion that the protective policy agreed to by the country is bad policyThe Hon. Henry Miller has taken his seat in the Cabinet, and represents Ministers. Kerosene changed hands at 3s Id ; prepared opium, in tins, 2s dearer. A cargo of fish from Labrador, ex Escort, changed hands at a profit of two or three hundred per cent. It consists of salmon, herring, and cod. A parcel was resold at lOd for salmon, and 6 I for cod; 35s for half-barrels herrings, 57s 6d for barrels. Breadstuffs steadier. 7s 6d was refused for Adelaide. 1500 bushels of South Australian was sold at 7s 4£d ; Victorian is worth 7s. Town brand Adelaide flour sold for Sydney at L2l ; country worth L2O. The Record's cargo of Chilian flour was sold privately. Arrived. — Hindoo, from Foo Chow Delangle from Mauritius; Prince Rupert, from Liverpool, with mainmast gone : New True Briton, from Liverpool. Sailed. — Royal Standard, for Liverpool. ADELAIDE. 14th February. The Ellen Lewis, barque, arrived lrom Adam Bay, northern territory, with Lieu-tenant-Colonel Finniss (Government resident), his son, and 39 passengers. She arrived at Escape Cliffs on the sth November, with M'Kinlay and party, in good health. The utmost confusion prevailed on her arrival, and but for the officers the place would have been abandoned. On examination splendid country has been discovered south-west of Escape Cliffs, and new site commenced. Several of the party suffered severety from scurvy. The appeal in the great Moonta case (the Queen v. Hughes and Stirling) has been argued before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; and judgment is to be delivered in Februaiy. There are no transactions in wheat or flour ; buyers of wheat offer 7e 3d, holders ask 7s 6d. Cape barley, 5s 9d to 6s. White oats, 6s to 6s 6d. Arrived. — Japan, from Foo Chow Foo, with a cargo of tea; Danube, from the Baltic, via Cape. 15th February. A new weekly paper, entitled the Argus, is about to be started at Victoria Harbor A despatch from Mr M'Kinlay, from the northern territory," says that pen cannot describe the state of disorganisation that exists from bad management in which he

found the party.. He at once condemns the site of Escape Cliffs for settlement, and speaks of the country surrounding as being totally unfit for either agriculture or pastoral purposes. Some sample cotton of very fine quality, grown at Escape Cliffs, has been sent down.