AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 266, 20 March 1869, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

{From the Argus, Feb. 26 to March 4, inclusive.)

The barque Japan, which has been thoroughly fitted out and equipped for a whaling expedition, has been towed down the river to an anchorage in the bay, and will shortly proceed on her first cruise. To encourage whaling enterprise, a bonus of £1000 bas been placed on the Estimates for the first whaler,,fitted out in Melbourne, which returns to Hobson's Bay with a cargo of oil. We are informed that the schooner Laughing Wave, which arrived a few days ago from Western Australia, with a cargo of the wellknown Jarrah wood of that colony, ia built of that material, and has been sent round to this colony, consigned to Mr J. B. Were (who acted for the colony of Western Australia in connexion with the la9t Inter-colonial Exhibition), to show what can be done with that material.

A one-twentieth share in the Melbourne and Ballarat Glass Bottle Company was sold yesterday at £15 premium. The company expect to commence work in a few days, when they- anticipate turning out fifty or sixty gross of sodawater bottles a week ; but when the works have been sometime in operation, and the employes become thoroughly conversant with their various duties, double that number is expected to he made weekly. It is intended at present to confine the manufacture to the bottle trade, but afterwards work of a finer dessription will be attempted. Those who believe in native industry, and extend their ideas to Australia as a whole, will be glad to observe that not only is Queensland turning her attention to compete with Mauritius in the production of sugar, but she is preparing her magnificent forest timber in a way that bids fair to give her a share of the trade almost exclusively hitherto in the hands of what, by contrast, may be called foreigners. At a recent sale of Queensland timber, some 20,000 feet of tongued and grooved flooring-boards were submitted to the trade, whose judgment on its quality seemed so favourable that the timber realised a satisfactory price compared with that given for the flooring usually imported from other countries.

There are now about a hundred wells sunk in the Duck Ponus and Coomes' Creek districts, the greater number having heen sunk during the present season. Water has been obtained in each instance, differing only in quality. The last well was sunk to a depth of forty feet, when water of very excellent quality was obtained. Many of the waterholes in the Bellerine district are now full, a considerable amount of work having been expended in enlarging them. The cattle, as a natural consequence, are beginning to get into something like condition. The Abyssinian tube wells are much talked of, and there is some probability of their being soon put to a practical test.

A general summary of the import, export, and shipping returns, and nn abstract of the Customs revenue of the colony for the year 1868, with an account of the transhipments from this colony during the six months ending on the 3 1st December last, have been laid before the Legislative Assembly. This paper shows that the total value of the exports was £15,593,900. Of the vessels which were entered inwards, 1977 brought cargoes amounting to 640,643 tons ; and 90, of 12,769 tons, came in in ballast. The vessels which cleared outwards with cargoes numbered 1486, of 475,048 tons ; and 736 vessels, of 209,159 tons, went away in ballast. The total value of the goods transhipped was £593,307. The pilotage fees amounted to £17,195.

An invention called "Drake's Tables for the Wool Trade," has been sent to us by the publisher, Mr George Mercer, of Geelong. This table offers at one view 7840 calculations—viz., I cwt to 70 cwt 3 qr 27 Ib reduced to pounds. The table, which is circular, revolves in a frame upon which there are four indices, two reading off the figures revolving on the right, the others those on tbe left. By the aid of this little invention, as much work may be done in one hour as would cost an expert twenty or thirty hours' labour. No ready-reckoner can compete with this table. A reference to many folios. consequent on a use of tho former is always more or less tedious aud objectionable.

Four hundred dozen of opossum skins were yesterday forwarded to the Duck Ponds station by Messrs Crann and Priest, for transmission to Mr Moss, Melbourne. The parties have been engaged in snaring opossums on Staughton and Armitage's station for years, and the skins; wliich can be obtained in any quantity, are tanned, and packed for Melbourne, where they meet with a ready demand, being converted into rugs, muffs, and other articles. Thia consignment is the first of an order for a thousand dozen, the balance being deliverable in a fortnight. There were also on the platform at the same station ten bales of seaweed, used for stuffing sofas, Beats, &c, and seventy bags of lime, for delivery in the metropolis.

The secretary to the Melbourne Gas Company has shown us some oyster-shells that were obtained from an excavation now being made on the company's reserve for a new gasholder, which are remarkable, not only for their great size, but also from the position in which they were f%und. One is nearly eight inches long by six inches broad, both valves being present, and in a perfect state of preservation. Another is nearly nine inches in length, and has some comparatively small oysters attached to it. In making the excavation four feet of surface gravel was passed through, and then a bluish clay was reached, apparently formed of river silt, and scraps of oyster and mussel shells were found at various depths. The oyster-shells aoove

described were found at a depth of fifteen ieet.

J\« We regret to state," says the Bendigo Evening News of yesterday, " that Mr O'Lpughliß, barrister, who some years ago was in very good practice in Sandhurst, but afterwaids emigrated to New Zealand, where he met with some reverses, and from whence he returned to this colony not long since, enfeebled in mind and body — a complete wreck — was brought up before the Sandhurst bench to-day, charged hy the police with being of unsound mind. He was ordered to be sent to the Yarra Bend, and thus virtually terminates the career of a gentleman possessed of many good qualities, and not devoid of natural abilities, who has fallen another victim to the seductive influences of those drinking customs thao are too frequently the bane of our colonial society, and too often bring about the downfall of some of our best men."

The e^flcacy of the solution of sulphite of lime as a meat-preserver has been placed beyond question by the experiments that have from time to time been made, and there is

little doubt that this valuable agent will before long be extensively used. Messrs F. Skinner and Co., who are now manufacturing the sulphite for the market, have been successful in nearly all the experiments they

have tried, while some that are yet in progress arc also turning out very satisfactorily. The coat of the solution of the requisite strength is much less than tbat of ordinary brine, so that the new preservative cannot be objected to on the ground of expensiveness. The plan adopted by Messrs Skinner and Co. in the production of the sulphite is to make a solution of lime and water of a certain strength, which is afterwards impregnated with volatilised sulphur. The machinery now employed by the manufacturers enables them to produce about 500 gallons of the sulphite per week.

A well-informed correspondent, who signs himself " Accliniatiser," writes to us as follows, in reference to the sparrow question : — " I observe, in your Parliamentary report, that the Attorney-General is in doubt as to whether sparrows are protected by the Fisheries and Game Statute, because these birds are not specifically mentioned in the act. With your permission, I wish to draw

the Attorney-General's notice to the sixth schedule of that act, where it states that * all birds not indigenous to Australia, and their produce' are protected. If this clause does

not include sparrows, then surely words have no meaning. Rabbits never have been protected, nor were they introduced by the Acclimatisation Society ; but hare 3 are protected by the act, lam thankful to say, or else we should have creatures like Harbison very quickly destroying them."

" It will interest farmers," says the Ararat Advertiser, "to know that a gentleman in this district, who has pursued farming for the last thirty years, and who during the latter portion of this period has farmed .much in Victoria, has. never been troubled with rust or drake in his wheat; and this immunity he attributes to the pursuance of a very simple plan in the preparation of his seed. Mr Manly, of Elmhurst, the gentleman we refer to, states that he never by any chance uses wheat for seed that is not threshed by hand, and the seed he steeps, not in bluestone, as is usual, but in strong brine, for about three hours, keeping it continually stirred, so aB to admit the influence of the solution to every part of the grain. While in the brine and being treated in this way, the drake floats upon the surface, and maybe easily skimmed off. Mr Manly is quite confident that it is solely owing to this treatment that he has been unaffected by rust since he first commenced farming in Victoria."

There are a few things in the Botanic gardens which just now deserve special notice, as rarities. The Tara of the South Sea Islands (caladium esculentum) is one of

these, and forms a very prominent object from its great height and length of leaf. It gro as from fipe to eight feet high, has a leaf

two feet long, and is well known for its edible, starchy root j in this climate it proves a hardy aquatic plant. The New Zealand palm-lily is also an object of considerable attraction from the very decided markings of

its striped leaves, and the Pampas reed (gynerium) is again putting out masses of flower on the islands of the lake. Then there are tbe spotted and banded begonias from Assam ; the Gesneria Donklari and Leopold!, from Central America ; the Hedychium. Gardneri and Plumiera acuminata, both Indian plants with delicate yellow flowers of exquisite fragrance, the latter with thick fleshy stems ; and the Moreton Bay ehesnut, a truly splendid tree, now in full flower, and covered with orange and red blossoms. The medicinal colchicum is also abundantlj' in flower in the experimental ground ; a number of pencil cedars raised in the nurseries are looking remarkably healthy and well ; the Assam tea-seeds recently received are germinating well ; and the Mexican vines, of which there are several kinds, have already attained considerable height.

A new " trick of trade " has been brought under our notice. It appears that some dealers in furniture look out for houses which have been just vacated, and if they have been left in clean and good condition they take them, fill them with furniture, then, on some pretext or another, hold a public auction of furniture, and vacate the house in the state which always follows a public sale in a few days only after the hiring, to the loss and prejudice of the landlord. The latest instance brought under our notice occurred within the last few days on Emerald hill, where a well-kept cottage was so hired, the persons who engaged it stating that they had only lately arrived, and were furnishing for a sister daily expected from England. Possession was obtained, and the furniture put in. A couple of days elapsed, and then

it was given out.that the sister bad landed at Adelaide.and had telegraphed that she was. not coining oh to Melbourne. Of course, under such circumstances there was nothing

left. for the fonid .brothers but to. break up their home, and so next day the auctioneer's flag was waving over the door, and a handsome sale was effected, the buyers believing that a home was being broken up, and that great bargains were to be expected. The landlord's share of the matter was a house greatly injured in its paper, paint, and fixtures, a small garden destroyed and fruit trees robbed, for the " consideration " of a week or a fortnight's rent.

In tl_e Victorian Legislative Assembly, on March 2, Mr Wilson asked the Chief Secretary whether the Acclimatisation Society had received any communication from England with reference to the value of Angora wool, and, if so, had the hon the Chief Secretary any objection to lay the same on the table of the House. Mr Mullock, in reply to the question, laid the following letter on the table: — "Acclimatisation Society's Office, Swanston-street, Melbourne, 3rd March, 1869. To the hon the Chief Secretary of Victoria. •Sir, — I observe in this day's Argus a notice of motion by Mr Wilson requiring Borne information upon the value of Angora wool in the English market. Ido myself the honour of giving you the following facts respecting this valuable animal. The Angora has been imported by the Acclimatisation Society from Asia Minor, and shipped at Smyrna for England, then transhipped at London for this colony. Notwithstanding a long and tedious voyage, one only was lost on the passage. We find that the Angora is a hardy animal and admirably suited for our climate, amiable in its disposition, and fleece averaging upwards of four pounds, worth in English market from 4a 6d to 5s 6d per lb. 2s 9d per lb has been received for some of this wool sent home from this colony, the difference in the price being caused by the want of knowledge here in the way of getting it ud for market; but the agent states that our Angora wool is equal in texture and quality to the Turkish wool from A Bia Minor. A portion of the flock now at the Royal-park is being sold, and freely taken up at a rate of £6 5s per head, for distribution throughout tbe colony. — I have the honour to be, sir, your very obedient servant, Thomas Black, President of Acclimatisation Society."

There have been no very decided indications of progress in connexion with meat preserving during the past month except that kind of progress which consists in making good the position already secured. Tbis the Melbourne Meat Preserving Company have been doing by affording an additional and most convincing proof of the success of their process in preserving meat, and rendering it capable of withstanding not only the effects of time but the influence of the warmest climate. In response to the invitation of Mr Caldwell, a number of gentlemen, including several of the leading merchants of the city, assembled at the company's premises for the purpose of inspecting the opening of a case of preserved meat, which had been allowed to remain four months in the furnace-room attached to the works, where the temperature on an average was at least llOdeg. The case containing the mutton was composed of £in deal boards, securely fastened, and about three feet by one foot in dimensions. The meat, prepared in the usual manner, was placed iv these cases, and when packed a quantity of liquid fat was poured in until the cases were completely filled. They were then nailed down, and placed in the furnace-room. When opened, the temperature appeared to have had but little effect upon the meat. The fat resembled soft wax on the surface, but was quite firm at the depth of about an inch. The meat was then taken out, and a portion of it prepared for luncheon. When dressed it was found most delicious and savoury. Meanwhile a new agent is being brought intu the market for effecting the same satisfactory result. Numerous experiments have placed the efficacy of the solution of sulphite of lime beyond question, and the impression is that it wUI before long be extensively used.

The Royal Mail steamship Geelong, Capt. R. T. Dundas, with the Australian and New Zealand mails for transmission to Europe and the East, left her anchorage in the bay yesterday (March 2) punctually at two p.m. She took over twenty passengers from this port alone, several of them well-known residents in Melbourne, and the steamer which conveyed them on board was fairly crowded with friends who went to wish them bon voyage. Amongst the passengers who left by her from Sydney was Lord Somerville, who is intimately identified with the project of sugar-growing in New South Wales, and who has recently succeeded to his title by the death of hia brother, the late Lord Somerville, who was killed in the hunting-field. Captain Lovell, one of the Peninsular and Oriental Company's travelling inspectors, is also a passenger from Sydney to Galle. 'Ihe list of passengers who embarked at Melbourne included Colonel Stephens, for Calcutta ; Colonel Nasmyth for Bombay ; and Captain W. H. Norman, of H.M.C.S.S. Victoria, who goes to England to bring out the new iron clad ship Cerberus. Mr W. P. Muir, of the Land Mortgage Banlc, also left yesterday for London, with a view to open a branch of the bank there -, and Mr Dv Croz, of the firm of Messrs Dalgety, Blackwood, and Co., returns to London after a year's residence in Melbourne. Mr G. J. M'Caul (late of Messrs Gemmell, M'Caul, and Co.), and Mrs Badcock, wife of Mr Badcock, of the Bank of New South Wales, were also passengers. At the Customs, the Geelong Cleared out with 37,6960z of gold and 12,617 sovereigns. It has long been known that the Western Australian eucalyptus, known as mahogany, or Jar rah wood, possesses the valuable property of resisting the attacks of the white ant, which has destroyed all sleepers of native woods that have been laid down on the Indian line of railway. To purchase and ship the. wood to Calcutta has often suggested itself to Victorian speculators as a probably good operation, but we are not aware that the business has been gone into as yet on an extensive scale. Late letters from India, how-

ever, mention that a large contract has been taken in Calcutta for the supply of the wood ih 'question, and that the contractor is on his way to Melbourne to make the necessary arrangements. A similar contract was made not long ago by Mr Compton, who is now understood to be in Perth fulfilling it, his great difficulty being the finding of ships. In connexion with the same subject, a singular circumstance may be mentioned. A large and formal-looking letter reached the Melbourne Post-office by tbe last mail, addressed to "The largest and most important timber merchant in Melbourne, in the discretion of the postman," and this was tendered to Mr John Sharp, of Collins street west — on what principle of selection we have not heard. At first Mr Sharp declined to receive it, thinking it was a valentine of a possibly scurrilous nature; but his curiosity triumphed over his fears, and he opened the missive, when it proved to be an order from some one in Calcutta to send sample tenders of the various Australian woods. We believe the order is to be fulfilled, and it is possible that an important trade may arise out of this absurdly-opened correspondence.

Melbourne and its vicinity was yesterday morning (March 3) visited by one of the mo3t severe dust storms which have ever been experienced in the colony. Old colonists of thirty years' standing declare that they never witnessed anything approaching to it. About half-past three o'clock, the wind commenced to rise, blowing from the north-east and occasionally veering round to the north-west; but it was not until shortly after seven o'clock that the full force of the gale or hurricane, as it may be more correctly termed, commenced. At that time the city and its environs became enveloped in an impenetrable cloud of dust, and the wind swept along with a velocity and force almost inconceivable. The sky was darkened by the dense clouds of dust which were hurried rapidly along ; in the inside of dwelling-houses it became impossible to distinguish one article from another, and numbers of persons felt convinced that some alarming convulsion of nature waa at hand. For nearly two hours the wind maintained its violence, and, with but few intermissions, the clouds of dust tbeir density. At Brighton, St. Kilda, and Emerald hill, the storm appears to have been particularly severe. Trees in some of the unoccupied land at Brighton and also in some of the paddocks, were torn up by their roots, whilst the branches of others were scattered in every direction. At all these places iron or zinc roofs of houses or outbuildings were torn away, and doubled up as though they were so many sheets of paper, and grave apprehensions were entertained for the safety of the buildings themselves. At Emerald-hill several chimneys were blown down, and we are informed that one small cottage was levelled with the ground. A providential escape from death was experienced by a little boy, the son of Mr Henry J. Smith, at Andersen street, Emerald hill. During one of the most violent bursts of the storm a window in one of the front apartments of the house was blown violently into the middle of the room, and fell on the little fellow, who had just got out of bed, the glass being shivered into a thousand pieces. Fortunately, a rather high stool was in the way, which prevented the full force of the blow coming on the boy, and although knocked down, he suffered no injury, with the exception of a sprained leg and a few slight cuts about the body. Had it not been for the stool he must have been killed.