AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1155, 17 January 1874, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[BY TKMSGKAJ'H.I Mklkotrne, January 3rd. The Governor proceeds to Tasmania to-day on a ten clays' visit. Owing to the abolition of the ad valorem duties in New South Wales, notice of the abrogation of the Border Treaty has been given by Victoria for the end of the present month. The weather has been intensely hot — averaging over OOdegs. in the shade in Melbourne, and 112 in the shade in the border townships. .Rain is very much wanted. Fruit and vegetables are getting scarce. The City of Melbourne is likely to be chartered to take the next Califoruian Mails, so as to give the Mikado time for an overhaul. There was a good meeting at the races on New Year's Day. Little Dick won the Midsummer Handicap. All the bodies have been recovered from the Geelong boat accident. A van containing eleven persons, women and children, was backed into the river. Fortunately all were saved by the exertions of four men who were present. An acrobat named Harris, whilst performing on the trapeze, fell thirty feet. Both his arms were broken, and he also sustained concussion of the brain. He still remains insensible. A young lady named White was drowned whilst bathing at St. Kilda, The outward mail steamer Nubia took 103,000 ounces of gold yesterday. January Bth. The Ballarat Twenty-two made the yory creditable score of 274 in their first innings, and the match then resulted in a draw. To-day the Eleven commenced their third match in the Colony, against Twenty-two of Stawell. Nearly all the Ministers are absent from town, and political news, in consequence, is dull. Governor Bowen has not yet returned from Tasmania. The match at hand-ball between the Melbourne and Sydney players comes off on the 25th of this month. The Revenue returns issued last night show an increase for the quarter of £92,456, and on the year of £137.112, the said increase being principally contributed by the Customs and Public Works Departments. Madame Arabella Goddard will most likely return from the East and proceed to New Zealand on account of her health. No concerts have been given by her ia India. The February mail steamer Bangalore will go direct through from Melbourne to Southampton. One child was drowned in the Surrey paddock accident on the Ist. A report by Dr Timdioum, of London, on Colonial wines is much canvassed. He condemned all the samples as worthless. Arrived.— Seabird, from Greymoyth, 0» the 6tb ; Rphi&oor, from Katywa.

Wheat is very much wanted at 5s lOrl. Oats are in better request ; sales of feeding hare been effected at 4s 7d to 4s 9d. Sugars are selling freely ; and fine samples from Queensland are in the market. Geneva is wanted at 14s. Bass's ale has been refused at £8. Greasy wool is in demand for America. ~~ Sydney. Mr Hurley, the member for Central Cumberland, is likely to be the new Minister of Mines. The cabmen have struck owing to the low rates of fares prevalent. Sir Hercules Robinson at luncheon at the race-meeting strongly defended the turf from its denunciators. Mr Stewart's residence, near Sprachaven, was burned down on Monday through^ a kerosene lamp exploding. _ Two of the family were badly burned ; one is not expected to recover. The Governor gives a fancy dress ball on the Bth of April. Bk.isba.we. I The Ministry resigned on meeting Parlia- j ment. Mr Macalister is likely to be sent for. ~~ Adelaide. Mrs Woolcock was hanged on the 3rd for the murder of her husband. Before death she confessed her guilt. Bidgway, the murderer of Burt, was hanged on the 1 st, and displayed great firmness whilst on the scaffold. The Postmasters-General of London and Adelaide exchanged New Year greetings on the occasion of the opening of the new Telegraph buildings. (Unpublished Telegram.) Queenscliff, January Bth. In the Cricket Match played at Stawell to-day the following were the scores of the All England Eleven :—: — VV. G. Grace, c Coj>s>tick, b Conwiiy 16 Jupp, run mit .. .. .. .. •• " Greenwood, c and b Cosstick ° Gilbert, o Comvay, b Oosstiuk 0 G. F. Grace, c White, bCoim ay 3 Oscroft, c Foote, b Conway 1 . Boult, htFuote.b CoshticK 4 31'Intyre, o Dyer, b Co&stiek ° Lillywhitc, b Cobstick •» Sou'thcrtoii, not out ° Bush, b Cosstick ° Total 43 Oovstiek bowled 13 balls for IS runs and 0 wickets ; Coiiway 53 balls for 25 runs and 3 wickets.