MELBOURNE, July 27th.

Otago Witness, Issue 1029, 19 August 1871, Page 14

MELBOURNE, July 27th.

The Great Britain arrived after a passage of 03 days. Mr Anthony Trollope, the novelist, was among the passengers.

Sydney.

Sales of flour have taken place at £1(5. Adelaide wheat is quoted at 7s. Sugars continue in active demand. July 20th. Mr Anthony Trollopo intends to proceed to Queensland after tho arrival of the mail. He will then make a tour through Australia and New Zealand, returning home via California. July 31st. Fisher, the Nunawading Messiah, attempted to propound his doctrines at the Hay market Theatre last night. There was a crowded audience, but order was not preserved, and after speaking for twenty minutes, he retired from the stage. 3rd August. Mr Berry has brought forward the Financial Statement. The tariff is ultraprotectionist. Twenty per cent, is to be levied on all goods capable of being manufactured in the colony, including cutlery and machinery. Corn, one shilling per cental. Ground corn, one shilling and sixpence per cental. He estimates to raise £230,000 more than Francis's tariff.

Many of the reductions shadowed forth in the proposed tariff are opposed, as not being in accordance with promises given on the hustings, which indicated part of the Ministerial policy.

An interim Supply Bill was passed to pay salaries. Arrived. — 10, from Westport ; Princess Alice, from Lyttelton. Sailed. — 10, for Greymouth.. Adelaide wheat, 7s Id to 7s 2d ; Hour, £1 0 ; New Zealand barley, 3s Id ; wheat, 5s Od ; oats, 3s to 3s Gd ; Tookey's, depressed, £17 10s. August 12th. Mr Burstall has interviewed Mr Duffy on the subject of the Cape route. Mr Duffy stated that the Government would favour a fortnightly mail via the Cape and San Francisco alternately. In the horsewhipping case, the two whippers were fined £3 each. If only one had inilicted the whipping, a nominal fine only would have been imposed, as the Bench thought he had a good excuse for the assault.

The Bank of Victoria has declared its usual dividend of 10 per cent.

The Protestant, clergy have protested against the throwing open of the Cerberus to the public on Sundays, as affording encouragement to the desecration of the Sabbath.

The Marquis of Normanby, after being feted and seeing the lions of Melbourne, left for Sydney.

Mr Fraser, the representative of the Batavian Government, has interviewed Mr Duffy with reference to the establishment of steam communication with Java for postal and commercial purposes, as well as for the introduction of the natives of that island into Northern Australia a3 coolies. Mr Duffy did not hold out much encouragement to the scheme, and said tbo Government depended more on AngloSaxon colonisation.

Press men in Victoria are moving for the commemoration of the fourth centenary <>[ the introduction of printing into England.

August 11th. The Treasurer has modified the tariff on manufactured grain to 2s per cental, and on grain to Is per cental.

The Golden Age has been wrecked on Vansittart's Island, and the Ocean Bride on King's. Both crews were saved. The Macdutt has arrived.

Mr Parkes, of Sydney, interviewed Mr Duffy on behalf of Hall's Californian line. Messrs Bright Bros, and Captain Grey interviewed Mr Duffy Avith reference to the proposed steam mail service via the Cape of Good Hope.

The steamer Bernard, from Foo-Chow-Foo direct, 28 days out, reports that prices of teas have advanced. She also brings later English news, but it is unimportant.

Arrived. — Kate Conley, and Jane Stewart, from Lyttelton ; Emma Jane, Onehunga, and Acacia, from Oamaru ; Sarah and Mary, from Hokitika ; John King, from Invercargill. Sailed. — To, and Magnet, for Greymouth ; Kate Conley, for Westport ; Our Hope, for Auckland ; Gamecock, for Port

Chalmers ; Omeo, s.s., for Port Darwin.

New Zealand wheat is at 5s 5d to 5s Gd, and oats at 3s od to 3s 7d. Tookey's shares at £30 10s to £30 15s.

At a banquet given to the released Fenians, JBO persons were present.

A public meeting will be held shortly to urge the Government to subsidise Hall's line of steamers.

A public testimonial is being got up for Captain Walker, of the Auckland.

Four fires have occurred in Sydney during the last week. None of them, however, resulted in any great destruction of property.

A good number of passengers have been booked (for San Francisco .') by the City of Adelaide.

The A. S. N. Co. have declared a dividend of 9 per cent.

Two deserters from the Dutch man-of-war Curayoa received nine dozen lashes each, and one is reported to have died since.

The Marquis of Normanby and his suite proceed to Queensland in tho Clio.

A public luncheon was given to Captain Walker, late of the s. s. Auckland, when he was presented with a purse containing 150 sovereigns.

The Chamber of Commerce have appointed a deputation to wait upon the Government, and ttrge them to afford better support to the direct (Hall's) Californian mail line. Arrived. — James Patterson, s.s. , from Auckland.