AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 536, 7 February 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Bluff, Eel). 6, G. 30 p.m. The Rangitoto, Hugh Mackie, master, arrived alongside the wharf afc 4 p.m., on Saturday. Left Melbourne at 5 p.m. on January 31 ; experienced strong head winds as far as Swan Islaud ; from thence uutil arrival at the Bluff moderate fair winds, with fine weather. Passenger List. — Otago: Mr and Mrs Steele, Miss Muir, Messrs Muir, Moody, G-ilchrist, Allan, Coey, B. Allan. Nelson : Mr Thomas Ferris. I Lyttelton : Mr Matthews. j Melbourne, Jan. 31. A detachment of the 18th .Regiment sailed in the Lincolnshire. Tenders have been called for conveying the second battalion of the 14th Regiment to England. E. Dennison, M.P., for Newark, son of the Bishop of Salisbury, died in the Melbourne Club. I J. C. King, manager of the Argus, and first Town Clerk, is dead, and was buried in the old cemetery. William Davis is committed for trial for murdering Eliza Cassells Trentham. Arrangements are progressing for the amalgamation of both Hebrew congregations. It is proposed to build a magnificent synagogue ou the site of the Princess' Theatre. Graham Berry's election is considered certain. Rutherford, of Colac, contests the seat. Mr Aspinall has been returned for Sfc Kilda, without opposition. The Government propose remodelling the pilot service, maintaining three permanent boats. William White has been killed by machinery at Harper'a rice mills. I Raynor's Christy Minstrels sail for Auckland to-day. Aitcheson, a French squatter in Hamilton, broke his neck while diving in five feet water at Kemp's bath, St Kilda. Bishop Perry has published a letter defending the course pursued in re Rev — Hayward. Thomas Moffat, the first settler in the Wurego district, died in the bush through thirst. The steamer Geelong sails to-mor-row. John Brougham, squatter, St Kilda, is insolvent ; liabilities £25,000. The Argus has published a series of articles condemning the ad-valorem duties. The Claud Hamilton arrived on Jan. 26, and the Tararua on Jan. 31. Exchange on London is firm atf per cent at sixty days. Flour is nominal at £12 to £12 10a ; feeding grains are slightly lower. Maize is quoted at 8s Sd, wheat 5? 4d, cornsacks 11s 9d. Sugars maintain an upward tendency; white, grey, and yellow crystals are in demand; Victorian Sugar Co.'s havo advanced another 20a. Martell's case brandy is quoted at 245; Hennensy'n, 2Gs ; three- dagger brand utour, 9d 3d. Downer's keroyine is 2s 3-} d. Tea at auction fetched the following prices : — Gunpowder, lOd ; pekoe, Is l|d. Currants are firm tit 4]d. At the wool sales eight hundred bales were disposed of, bui competition ia less buoyant — greasy,

5d to 9£d ; scoured, 9id to Is 3£d ; fleece, lid to Is 3d. Sydney, Jan. 30. Parliament was opened by Commission on the 27fch. Mr Arnold was elected Speaker of the House, which adjourned till Mr Cowper's election was over. Mr Robertson took liis seat. Mr Cow per has been returned for Liverpool plains. Lady Bellmore is in ill health. Mrs McTaggart, Burfc's mother-in-law, obtained a rule nisi for the sequestration of Burt's estate. Captain Macklin, senior marinesurveyor, died suddenly. The Joint Stock Bank dividend is 8 per cent. The wool sales are brisk. The bulk of the catalogue was cleared at full rates. Arrived. — At Newcastle : King Oscar, from Auckland. Adelaide, Jan. 30. Mr Baker carried a want of confidence motion in the Council. Mr Carr's motion, that South Australia join Victoria in guaranteeing one-and-a--half per cent, to a company forming a telegraph line to King George's Sound, was carried. Severe floods have occurred in the north-east portion of the colony, and most remarkably heavy losses have been sustained. The Treasury stopped all payments till the estimates were passed. The Pastoral Leases Bill proposes to extend leases from ten to fourteen years. The Assembly refused to vote a thousand pounds for the extension of the Governor's residence. Shipping. — Arrived at Hobart Town: Eucalyptus from Dunedin. At Melbourne — Maid of Erin from Greymouth. Sailed : Liampre for Dunedin.