AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 572, 21 March 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Bluff, March 19. The s.s. Claud Hamilton, Captain Underwood, left Hobaon's Bay at 4 p.m. on March 12 ; passed Port Phillip Heads at 7 p.m., and Swan Island at 7.a.m., on March 14 ; experienced fine weather during the run across ; made the S.W. Cape at 6 a.m. on March 18, and entered the Bluff harbour at 8 p.m. the same day. The Claud Hamilton brings 85 tons cargo for Dunedin. Passengers : For Dunedin— Miss Forsyth. For Lyttelton— Mrs Leigh, Mrs " Baker. For "Wellington — Mr Boyse, Mr Bird, Mr Wood, Miss Young. For Nelson — Mies Willes. For Greymouth — Mr Mcßeath. For Hokitika — Mr Pearson. MEtßOirßirß, March 12. The Treasurer made his financial statement on Tuesday last. A large expenditure for the year is proposed. Mr McCulloch criticised the Btatement severely, urging that the revenue had been greatly over-estimated. The debate on the statement is adjourned. A. Supply Bill, for the payment of the civil servants, has passed. The Hon. Mr O'Shannassy has revived opposition to opening the sittings of the Legislative Council with prayer. The Hon. Mr Mitchell has been elected Chairman of Committees in the Legislative Council. Mr Williamson, teacher of the Scotch school, has been appointed schoolmaster of the training snip Nelson. Mr E. C. Gladstone, cousin of the Premier of England, has been killed at Terang, by a fall from his horse. Sir Henry Barkly has been appointed Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. The companionship of the Order of St. Michael and St. George has been conferred on the Hon Mr O'Shannassy. Mr McCulloch was offered a similar distinction, but he declined to accept it. Dr Bird has been appointed lecturer in Materia Medica to the University of Melbourne. Mrs Sayers, of Wangaratta, on a visit to Melbourne, committed suicide last night. She drank an ounce of belladonna. The Jews give a banquet and testimonial to Edward Cohen to-day. A chemist named Thompson, assistant to Mr Wragge of Collins Btreet,

has committed suicide by taking prussic acid. The cause, it is supposed, is spiritism. The Buicidal tendency is increasing. Several attempts at drowning have been made within the last few days. The two last events of the Champion match, between Hewitt and Harris, were won. by the former. The decision of the referee on the last event has caused dissatisfaction. It is alleged to bar© been a dead beat;, but be would not allow it to be run again. The English pedestrians visit Sydney at Easter. Gowan, a soldier of the 14th Kegiment, has been committed for trial on a charge of rape. Power, the bushranger, is continuing his sticking-up with impunity. The racehorse Charon is dead, having received internal injuries while exercising. Edwards, who had been arrested on suspicion of having murdered a woman named Egan, was discharged after the Coroner's investigation. He baa been arrested again. The Halford testimonial fund has reached £60. The Autumn race meeting commenced yesterday. The attendance was small. The Hurdle Eace, a handicap sweepstakes of 5 soys. each, with 100 soys. added, about 3 miles, was won by Mr M. Moran's Visitor, aged. The St. Leger Stakes, a sweepstakes of 25 soys. each, with 200 soys. added, a mile and three-quarters and 132 yards, was won by Mr P. J. Keighran's Lamplighter, by Ferryman. The Handicap Plate of £100, one mile, was won by Mr P. J. Keighran's Kestrel. The Ascot Vale Stakes, a sweepstakes of 20 soys. each, with 200 soya. added, for two-year olds, five furlongs, was won by Mr H. Fisher's b f The Boe, by Stockowner — Cerva. The Australian Cup, a handicap sweepstakes of 5 soys. each, with 200 soys. added, two miles and a quarter, was won by Mr J. Arthur's Norma. The Plate of £50, for two-year olds, half a mile, was won by Mr M. Whelan's Austral. The Prosperity has sailed for EEokitika, and the Moa for Auckland. Trade is unsettled, and insolvency rumours are rife. Confidence is shaken. Messrs J". King and Co., of Ballarat, offered 10s in the pound. Messrs W. Georgeson and Co., teadealers, have filed their schedule. Messrs Levy and Son have assigned their estate, and so has Mr Buzzard, bookseller. Trade generally is depressed. Messrs Degraves and Co. have re-established their solvency. Flour is very dull at £11. Wheat is quoted at 4a 9d for small lots. Oats are quoted at 3s, and maize at 3s 4d. Sugars are firm, but there is little doing. Wool sales are brisk. Syjmtey, March 11. The Bobertson testimonial fund is progressing. Public opinion is dead against the Divorce Bill now under discussion in the Legislative Assembly. A portion of the estimates have passed. <:- The Government have introduced a bill for fixing the Governor's salary at £6000. Floods have occurred in the Hunter district. Vane, formerly one of Gardener's gang of bushrangers, has been liberated. The Bengal, Camilla, and Novelty, have arrived at Newcastle. The schooners Isle of Thanet and Flying Fish have been wrecked at Port Stephens. The wool sales are firm. Adeiaide, March 11. The " unemployed " agitation continues. Government have offered work at three shillings per day. The elections are going on. Vere, charged with the Avoca murder, has been arrested at Bowman's Flat, Finniss' River. Breadstuff's are steady, and hare slightly advanced.