LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 268, 23 March 1869, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[The following telegram ought to have been received yesterday, but communication with the Bluff was interrupted after the English mail news was telegraphed.] The 'Bltjpf, Tliis Day, 9 a.m. The Tararua's dates are to March 17,

Melboubne, March 17. The Prince arrived at Sydney on March 11. There was immense excitement here on Sunday evening (March 14), arising from a false report that the Prince had been assassinated. The report was alluded to in several pulpits, producing much horror. The estimates are passing slowly through the Assembly. Scandalous revelations have been made re the case of Jones, in the Assembly, relative to the alleged bribery of members. It was alleged that Mr Butters, late Mayor of Melbourne, paid Jones £200 for his vote on the " Quieting of Titles Bill." Mr Butters denied, from his seat in the House, that he had done so, or that he had ever said he had done so. A select committee has been appointed to consider the whole question. Jones has resigned his office in the ministry and his seat in the Assembly for Ballarat. He is now seeking re-election. A Bill will be brought into the Assembly to-night to enable Parliamentary committees to take evidence on oath. Longmore is threatened with a prosecution for perjury while giving evidence as a witness on Jones' trial. Mr Higinbotham has resigned his seat in the Executive Council. No reason stated. At Berlin, to which there was a rush lately, a nugget weighing 76 lbs has been unearthed. Several cases of small-pox have occurred throughout the colony, but all are favourably reported upon. Colonel Anderson has resigned his office as Commandant of the Volunteers, the Assembly having reduced the pay to £750 per annum. A despatch has been received from the Colonial Office, discouraging Fiji colonization, and warning the colonists that they will receive no support from the Imperial Navy. In the case of Regina v. Grockerstein, for an alleged Customs fraud, the verdict is for the defendant. The Government are instituting prosecutions against certain influential persons for evasion of the provisions of the Land Act by means of false declarations. Trade is very quiet, awaiting mail news. Flour is quoted at £13 to £13 10s ; wheat is in great demand, at 4s 8d ; sales of fine samples have been made at 4s lOd. Oats are neglected, and are offering at 4s 2d to 4s 3d for New Zealand and Tasmanian respectively ; maize is dull, in sugars, prices are maintained, but are not so firm. Kerosene is quoted at 2a Id. The salt market is depressed. Teas are moving freely for first chops. Sydney, March 16. The Prince is enjoying himself thoroughly. He avoids public receptions, but entertaius and is entertained privately. He walks unattended about the city. The Countess Belmore is pronounced out of danger. It is rumoured that Earl Belmore has sent home his resignation. In the Assembly, Mr Docker has moved a vote of censure on his Excellency, for signing warrants for salaries without the authority of the House. Mr Parkes has given notice of a want of confidence motion, on the newspaper postage question. The Chamber of Commerce have reconsidered their resolutions against the Conference of Australian Colonies on the Customs Union. The kerosene works at Wolongong have exploded ; they are totally destroyed, bufc no lives are lost. The markets are quiet. Sugars are firm. Breadstuffs are heavy. Adelaide, March 16. The branch mail steamer arrived at G-enelg at 9 a.m. Hughes, Town Clerk of Adelaide, has been charged at the police court with embezzlement. Bail was refused. His defalcations are stated to be fifteen hundred pounds. Special auditors are appointed to examine his books. There are further complications in the volunteer service. Colonel Higgins. and Captain Walker have thrown up their commissions. . Wheat is very firm at 5s Id. Town brands of flour are quoted at £13. 9.46 a.m. ; The Tararua has one Baloon (Mr T. Bodd) and three steerage passengers

ifor Lyttelton, with 32 tons of cargo. For Wellington — Mr Prince in the 'saloon, and four in the steerage, with 63 tons of cargo. For Nelson — Misß Allen in the saloon, and one in the steerage, with 24 tous of cargo.