AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

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

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

Grafton, 15th Feb. A skeleton of a man, with a double-bar-relled gun by his side, was found by the blacks on Sunday, supposed to be Charles Waltz, of Ulmarra, who started with a man named Smith, 15 months ago, and when about to be arrested, seized a gun and ran into the bush, and, it is believed, shot himself. Newcastle, 15th. The police have just returned from a search along the beach to the southward, and report that a square-rigged vessel, apparently a schooner of about 120 tons, has foundered some 40 yards off the shore at Redhead ; the foremast, with the topsail yards attached, was visible. A new boat found in the morning is supposed to have belonged to her.— Herald. Bombala, 16th. We have had fine rains for the last three days. Three hundred thousand sheep left the plains for the Snowy Alps to look for feed there. Sheep will not bring one shilling per head on terms. Brisbane. 12th. Dr. Lavin, late surgeon-sxipermtendent of the ship Ramsay, has been fined LlO for inducing a seaman to desert from that ship. — Herald. All vessels coming from Victoria are to be inspected by the Health Officer, in the same manner as foreign vessels. Thirty cwt. of galena from the Gayndah mine has arrived ; the lode is twenty-two inches wide, and the metal rich. A company is to be formed in Melbourne to work the mine. 17th. Cobb's coach to Gympie was capsized at Maroochi crossing ; the horses were drowned but no human lives were lost. The new quarantine regulations are extended to Sydney and Newcastle.— Herald. Geelong, 11th. A grand farewell banquet was given yesterday evening to the Hon. Charles Sladen, the ex-Colonial Secretary. Mr Sladen is about to leave the colony by the ship Essex, on a visit to England. About 150 gentlemen sat down. Mr Sladen, in replying to the toast of the evening, expressed his confidence in the continued prosperity of the colony. Baxlarat, 12 th. The races were resumed and concluded today. The Handicap Trot, of 15 soya. Entrance, 1 gov. About four miles, saddle or harness ; weights not less than list. Kate 1 The Handicap Steeplechase, of 50 soys., over about three miles of sporting country selected by the stewards. Nominations, 1 soy. Ingieside 1 Peter Simple 2 The Corner Handicap, of 50 soys. About two miles, domination, 1 soy. Sir Walter 1 Melbourne, 12th. James Patterson, the only passenger by the wrecked steamer Formosa, died in the hospital. 13th. According to an Extraordinary of the Natal Mercury oE December lSth,"the question of the existence of a payable goldfield m that locality has been settled. Alluvial gold haß been discovered in payable quantities, and the diggers on the ground consider that their prospects are very favourable. Jane Houghton and Augusta Davies, girls of fourteen years of age, who ran away from bydney, per Alexandra, were arrested, and remanded till Tuesday, when their fathers are expected. 15th. Seven diggers have returned by the Sea Nymph from Natal, who speak discouragingly of the diggings at the Cape. Many there are half -starving. 16th. | John Tittle, charged with the National Bank forgery, has been acquitted. — Herald. 17th, The Melbourne creditors of Mr Davis, of Lyttelton, have held a meeting, and resolved to send Mr Aarons to New Zealand to represent them a3 trade assignee. Mr Davis's ; liabilities in Melbourne amount to LSOOO. The Underwriters' Astociation is about to be reconstituted on an extended basis. Great interest is taken in the probable decision of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce on the proposals of the Melbourne Chamber for a Customs Union. Scab, of a virulent form, is reported to have occurred in the Western districts ; and 1 the Chief Inspector has been despatched there. Ferguson, late Harbour-master, had his life insured for LIOOO, but his policy lapsed. The Navigation Board have censured Capt. , Efagley for the grounding of the RaEgitoto. I News has_ been received by the mail that Melbourne is to bs the head, quarters of the F reach steamers.

The Government intend to increase he number of office hours by one. The Ballarat Railway c ntractors hive served the Government with particulars of unsatisfied chims to the amount of L 300,000. Messrs Dalmahoy Campbell and (Jo. reporb a full supply of cattle, and prices lower. Best beef, 20s per ICOlbs ; 601b wethers 13s — Berald. 18th. A warrant has been issued for the apprehension of Joseph Henry Williams, for embezzling the sum of L 250, the property of the Bank of Australasia, in which he was employed as a clerk. It is rumoured that another bank clerk, who it is alleged is also a defaulter, is misping. 2000 bags of the sugar, ex Natal, were quitted at auction to-day, and realised good prices. ArsLAiDE, 22rh. The Government have written to four of the Volunteer officers who attended the latß meeting of Volunteers, forwarding them a copy of the newspapers in which the report of the proceedings of the meeting appears, calling on them to say, by Monday next, whether their speeches are correctly reported. It is reported that the Prince has authority to knight several leading colonists. — Empire. Tuesday. The Government offices have all been closed to-day, and a general holiday observed, in consequenoe of the installation of the new Governor, His Excellency Sir James Fergusson. His Excellency was sworn in at the Town Hall, in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince and a large concourse of persons, including the leading officials and most prominent colonists. Owing to some papers not having been received from the Home Office, Sir J. Fergusson was only sworn in as LieutenantGovernor.