AUSTRALIAN NEWS. [BY SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.]

Otago Witness, Issue 1277, 20 May 1876, Page 15

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. [BY SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.]

Melbourne, May 11th. The Customs authorities are satisfied with Stevenson's explanation regarding the hosiery. May 12th. _ Public feeling is strong against the arbitrary and high-handed manner of the Customs towards Stevenson. The Government will probably take the matter into serious consideration. May 15th. Statistics show a large increase in the yield of wheat ovsr last year. Two attempts to throw a train off Government railway lines are reported. Arrived. — Arawata, Northumberland. Sailed. — Otago. May 16th. Messrs Stevenson's lettersbythe Northumberland were seized by the Customs, but given up unopened. An indictment for assault against the firm and its employes has been filed. Sailed : Alhambra. Sydney, May 11th. Government has telegraphed to New ZealaDd in reference to the last visit made to the Auckland Islands, with a view to ascertain the possibility of auy of the Strathnaver's passengers and crew being there. May 12th. The Strathmore survivors who proceed to New Zealand left on Wednesday. Mey<;r and Co., merchants, have suspended payment. Liabilities are £27,000. A Queensland telegram reports that the first o Deration of Lynch, law has occurred at the Hodgkinson rush. A miner was flogged and his property confiscated for horse-stealing. The Police are waiting at Brisbane to arrest some diggers who refused to leave the steamer at Townsville. May 13th. Brandy, in case, 30s to 36s ; quarts, 7s 3d — very firm ; kerosene easier — Is 6d in bond; rice, unaltered ; wheat, ss ; oats, 2s 6d to 2s 9d. Arrivals from New Zealand to-Gay are likely to affect the market. May 15th. Breadstuff's are easier in consequence of large arrivals. The New South Wales Government and the New Zealand Government have arranged for the Nymph to visit the Auckland Islands to search for traces of the hip Strathnaver. May 17fch. The Torres Straits mail arrived yesterday. Mr Shoobert, an old colonist, is dead. Sailed : s.s. Hero, for Auckland. Brisbane, May 13th. Eighty-six fdiggers from Cooktown have Deen imprisoned for 14 days each for illegally obtaining return passages. Many look as if they had suffered severe hardships on the Palmer diggings. Nearly 500 diggers have returned from the rush to TownsvUle.