AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 902, 13 March 1869, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

( From the Argus,)

Mr John Tait, of Sydney, has added to his stud another youngster of great promise—a Rose of Denmark yearling filly, by Boiardo. The price at auction was 460 guineas. The steamer Otago, not having been disposed of, is now undergoing some accessary repairs, and is to be forthwith despatched for Japan, to the branch of the London house by whom she was purchased from the English mortgagee before her last arrival in this porb. Mrs Ramsbottom, the widow of Mr Ramsbottom, whose name is so intimately associated with the efforts to acclimatise the salmon in Australia, has sailed from Hobart Town for London, in the ship Windward. She took with her four young children, the fifth — a baby— having died only an hour or two before the family embarked. The good ship Reigate, which sailed yesterday for London, carried away the produce of the " Welcome Stranger," the largest nugget yot found in Australia. It was remelted in three lots in Melbourne, and turned out in five bars, yielding 2287°zs. 16dwt. troy, and 7£dwb f of scraps. The gold is of very fine quality, the three lots assaying respectively 23 2§, 23'2-J. and 23'2f, making the standard (juanfcifcy 2439p»5, Idwfc lip,

Persons of strong powers of belief have a good opportunity of exercising them on the following paragraph from the Dunolly Express :—": — " A most extraordinary circumstance is said to have happened near the Challicum station during the storm on Monday last. A large mass of ice, from fifteen to twenty feet long, six or seven wide, and three feet in thickness, fell to the ground, where it remained unthawed till Thursday."

Letters from Captain Gilmore, received in Tasmania, state that 100 mileß of the Tasmanian submarine cable for Bass Straits had been shipped safely on board the Investigator on the last day of the past year, ard thattha remainder would be placed on board within a week, when the vessel would sail. She was expected to reach Melbourne about the middle of March, and would here pick up the party of electricians who are to lay tbe cable, and who will arrive by the mail steamer. The work of laying the cable would than be at once commenced.

In a late issue we mentioned that civiTsation in the South Seas was so far advancing that a billiard-table had been ordered from Melbourne for Lsvuka, in Fiji. The order was duly complied with, the table was made, and sent from Melbourne, and its reception in Fiji was surprisingly warm. Its erection last month at the Criterion Hotel, Levuka, was regarded as an event, and a large share of the population flocked to see the first game played . The Anglo- Saxon and Papuan races joining in a game of billiards on a table made in Melbourne, and erected in the Fiji group, is what Artemus Ward might call a "sublime spectacle."

Prom Sydney we learn that the Earl of Belmore has received a telegram from the Duke of Edinburgh, stating that he will arrive there in the Galatea on the 12th March. This, by a singular coincidence, is the anniversary of the day when the outrage was committed on His Royal Highness at Clontarf. The Prince returning on that day may be taken as the best evidence that he personally has every confidence in the loyalty of the colonists, notwithstanding the questionable taste of the New South Wales Parliament in discussing at the present moment whether or no O'Farrell was alone in his mad attempt on the life of His Royal Highness.

Lively young gentlemen who are in the habit of letting off their sm-plus animal spirits by indulging in practical jokes will do well to take warning by the fate of Andrew Clarke. Although not a "gentleman" in the general acceptation of that term, he aspired to an imitation of the character, and in pursuance of that idea, thought he would " have a lark " with a Chinaman in Bourke street. He snatched the hat from the augusthead of King Hock, and ran off with it. " John " was after him in a moment, crying " Stop him ?" and Clarke unintentionally ran into the arms of Sergeant Summerhayes. On baturday he was brought before Mr Start. King Hock insisted on charging him with stealing the hat, and in spite of his plea that " it was only a joke," he was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. *

The Intercolonial Cricket Match, takes place this season at Sydney, on Thursday, the 4th March, and two following days. Our representatives, therefore, will sail today by the steamship Wonga Wonga, for the capital of New South Wales. It was known two or three days ago that Koberfcson would be unable to r go, but it was only at almost the last moment that i-Jaggin (who had obtained leave from bis superiors at the Treasury to go to Sydney) and W. Campbell found that they would be unable to take part in the match. In their places Mr N oyes (of the 14th Regiment) and Goldsmith, have been selected. Laurence was telepraphed to as to Mullagh's going as one of the eleven, and though he cannot sail to-day, he may possibly go on Monday. The team will now consist of Wardill, Gibson, Allan, Costick, Wills, Egglestone, Phillips. Carter, Kelly, "Noyes, and Goldsmith, possibly with. Mullagh as twelfth, or emergency man. Although the Victorian eleven are undoubtedly weakened by the withdrawal of Gaggin, Campbell, and Robertson, the team is still a very strong one, and will, no doubt, well sustain the cricketing reputation of the colony. Tho Underwriters' Association, which has been in existence in Melbourne for a few months past, and which has established during the wool season some more stringent regulations than heretofore for the examination of wool ships and the stowage of cargoes, has now been reconstituted on an enlarged basis, and will commence operations on the Ist March a3 the "Merchant Shipping and Underwriters' Association of Melbourne." By the co-operation of all, or nearly all, the underwriting companies in Melbourne, aided by the banks and the large mercantile houses, a much more effective and trustworthy system of surveying vessels will be adopted, and ultimately the Association will, in all probability, undertake the classifications of vessels trading in these waters, and perform other functions which are now undertaken by the English Lloyd's. The following extract from the new rales explains pretty fully the purposes of the Association: — "That the objects of the Association are the procuring of information, and the protection of the interests of the members in respect of shipping and cargoes ; and in order thereto — 1. The obtaining, by all lawful means, of information with respect to the state of vessels ovraed in, trading to, or otherwise connected with tbe Australian colonies, their condition when loading, tho quantity and nature of cargo taken on board, the mode of stowing cargo, and tho state in which cargo is discharged. 2. The investigating, by all lawful means, of the cause of loss, or damage, or injury to vessels and cargo. 3. The carrying out oi all surveys rea.uire4 by any

member of the Association, subject to rul< 8 and regulations to be determined on by tho committee. 4. The affording to members information acquired by the Association touching all such matters ; but so that the information so afforded be received only by way of private confidential communication, and not to be divulged. 5. The employing for these purposes of confidential and ofcher agents, and of officers and servants. 6. The doing of all other things which may be incidental, or conducive, to the attainment of the before-mentioned objects."