AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1191, 26 September 1874, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, September 14th. At the drawing for the Ballarat Art Union the first prize, value £2000, was won by John Hammon, a farmer at Mount Blowhaid ; the second prize, £750, by Mr Bray, draper at Geelong. During a discussion in the Assembly on the claims of deceased civil servants, the Government recognised the desirability of establishing a Life Assurance Office in connection with the Civil Service. The Estimates are being proceeded with. The body of a young woman unknown has been found in the Yarra. A man named Goodman has shot himself near Elphinstone. Yarraville sugars realised full prices for the best, but there was a decline of 203 on lower sorts. Three little boys made an unsuccessful attempt t) throw a train off the suburban The brig Alice Maud, from Greymouth, has been wrecked between Cape Barren and Gable Island. The crew and five passengers were picked up by the steamer Southern Cross andbrcmght on here. A demand is springing up for currants ; sales at 9|d. In maiza, a small parcel realised ss. A deputation is appointed to wail on the Government in reference to the establishment of a Labour Bureau. In the Herald libel case the Judge declined to certify for costs. Sydney, September 15th. The City of Adelaide calls at Levuka th ; s trip with the outward Xau Franeiso mail, in order to take Lome the Governor's ultimatum on annexation. The Victoria sails for Aucklind tomorrow. The Governor sailed for Fiji on Sahirday night, accompanied by Messrs De Robeck and Hutchinson, and the Attorney-General as legal adviser. The Government has determined to carry on the San Francisco service on its own responsibilities, if necessary. No acting Governor has been appointed by {Sir H. Robinson. Miss May Howard, the actress, is drawing good hr.uses in Sydney. The Intercolonial Gig Race has lost a great deal of its interest by tne illness of Henderson, one of the Victorian crew, and formerly of Auckland, compelling an emergency man to take his pHce. Mr Henderson is recovering. A miner named T> icre has been found murdered uear Bi'aidwouil, At the Jlmdwick racea the results were : l<Veo Handicap, Conqueror ; Town Plate, Maid of Avenel , President's Handicap, V itz Yattendon ; Mares' Produce Stakes, Kin^sborough ; Sydney Handicap, Garrymven ; Members' Handicap, Llamo ; Waverley Handicap, Maid of Avenel ; Steeplechase, Duffer ; Raudwick Plate, Dagworth ; ■l<\»rt;e<l Handicap, dead heat between Westm.nster and Stirling. Adelaide, September 14th. The increase of inap»rts, which are in ex< cops over the exports for the first 33 weeks vf the year, amounts $q noarjy thrGe.quarter,? vi ft mill'm,

The Legislative Council has rejected a Bill to increase the salaries of clerks of the Assembly beyond those of the Council. The second reading of the Local Courts Bill was carried. It is a Bill to extend the jurisdiction of courts to actions involving sums to the amount of £500, and embodies other features of the Supreme Court law administration. John Wright Anderson, a clerk in the National Bank, pleaded guilty to embezzling £100 the property of the bank. Sentence was deferred. Hobart Town, September 14th. The stoppage of three more firms is announced, namely Messrs Sidler and Go., Messrs White, Mills, and Co, Messrs Dowie and Woodgate. , The Legislative Council, by a majority ot one, rejected the Government Hills, viz. :•— The Mersey aud Deloraine Railway Main Branch, Roads, Bridges, aud other general public works. Much indignation xs expressed.