AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Melbourne, June 9th.

Otago Witness, Issue 1177, 20 June 1874, Page 14

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Melbourne, June 9th.

On Tuesday last the Chief Secretary moved the second reading of the Constitution Act Amendment, and the debate lasted all the week, with the prospect of extending over another fortnight, as not a dozen speakers have yet addressed the House. It v believed that the Government will have a majority on the second reading. Nothing further has transpired in reference to the wreck of the British Admiral on King's Island. The Government steamer Pharos proceeded to the scene, and found no more survivors, but buried six bodies. The cargo is strewn along the beach. Customs and other officers are in charge. Bank drafts to the amount of £400 were found on one of the bodies. At the inquiry of the Navigation Board, the loss of the vessel iB due to an error in calculating the longitude. The question of payment of members is to be brought before the Assembly on the conclusion of the Constitution debate. Forty members attended the preliminary meeting. The steamship Northumberland took over 300 passengers to England, including the Earl and Countess of Donoughmore. Butchart's case iH likely soon to be brought before the Court, to determine his sanity. Governor Ducane, after remaining a week in Melbourne, returned to Tasmania. A mining accident has occurred at Smythesdale. One man was killed and an other severely injured. Diphtheria is very prevalent m some parts of the Colony. Several deaths have occurred. , , „ The markets during the week were dull. Further large sales of bmndies are reported, at full rates, and 170 hhds. MarteU's have been shipped for London under instructions Sugars are dull, at 9 decline. Rum has mproved in demand. Kerosene ia very di»l', trade sales at Is 4*d. For wheat bhere is good enquiry, at 6s 6d to 6s Bd. Oats, a fair demand ; milling, 5s Bd. New Zealand 4 per cent. debenturesSellers, £88. New Zealand Bank, £17 15s.

Sydnby, June 9th. Th« Tartar sailed on Saturday, the 6th.

The Macgregor has completed her repairs, and leaves on the 25ih, via New Zealand. Admiral Ribout, who arrived by the mail, proceeded to New Caledonia, to enquire into the escape of Rocheforfc. The Bathurst residents presented Bishop Quinn with 1500 guineas prior to his proceeding to Europe. The steamers Balclutha and Lady Young collided. The latter was cut down to the water's edge. Madame Goddard wiil arrive from Singapore at the end of this month. The proposed release of Gardiner, the bushranger, by the Governor, formed a subject of debate in the Assembly, aad was condemned at a public meeting. A private expedition is fitting out to search for Leichardt relic 3.

Adelaide, June 9th. Two want of confidence motions are tabled against the Government. They come on this week. 456 miles of overland line has been poled with, iron poles. A similar extent is under order.