AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 594, 16 April 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Bluff, April 15. The Claud Hamilton, Underwood, commander, left Hobson's Bay at 3 p.m. on the 9th ; passed Port Phillip Heads at 6, Cape Schanck at 8 p.m., and Swan Island at 7 p.m. the following day. Experienced fine weather during the run across ; made S.W. Cape at 9 p.m. on the 14th; entered Bluff harbour at 9.30 a.m. on the 15th. Passengers : — Por Dunedin : Judge Chapman, Mr and Mrs Parker, Mr and Mrs Wright, Mr Stewart, Miss Finlay, Mr McNeill. For Lyttelton : Mr Hastings, Mr Hepworth. Por Wellington: Mr Haworth, Por Hokitika: Mrs Bullock, 45 in steerage. Cargo:— Por Dunedin, 220 tons; -Lyttelton, 48 ; Wellington, 61 ; Nelson 20. Melbouene, April 9. A new Ministry was announced to the Assembly yeßterday.-r-M'Culloch, Chief; Francis, Treasurer; Michie, Attorney- General ; Wrixon, Justice ; Macpherson, Lands; M'Kay, Mines; Wilson, Bail ways; Bates, Public Works; A'Beckett, Customs. Mr Macpherson's appointment has caused great dissatisfaction in the Assembly, which adjourned for a month. Flour is dull at £11 10s ; wheat is scarce at 4s lld to 5s ld ; maize, 4s l^d ; oatß, 3s 6£d ; best hops, ls lOd. Bulk beer is inquired for. Woolpacks are quoted at 3s sd. Speculation has taken place iv kerosine ; large trans-

actions at 2s 6d. Sugars are firm at quotations — rations, £29 to £30 ; fine, browns to low yellows, £32 ; good to fine yellow, £35 ; finest yellows, £36 3s. Trade generally is dull. Money is scarce. The wool sales are spirited, Greasy, 4f d to B^d ; scoured, 8d to 15d; fleece, Bfd to 14d. The Lyster's Opera season has closed. The lessee took a benefit last night, when there was a bumper house. Charles Mathews appears for the firsfc time to-nighfc. Yair, Cheale's murderer, has been committed for trial. Yates, the sheriff of Belfast, is dead. The Governor of South Australia is visiting Melbourne. The English pedestrians are gone to Sydney. Schools of Design are being rapidly extended over the colony. The charges against Mohtefiore of mismanaging the Australasian Insurance Company, have been negatived. The drought is ended. The rains are general. A magnificent aurora australis was witnessed here on April 5. The Press generally supports the new Ministry. The Anna has arrived from New Zealand. Sydney, April 8. A reward of £100 has been offered for the apprehension of Ashdown, the defaulting railway accountant. The rain continues. The estimates are being passed expeditiously. An amended Stamp Act is promised next week. Mr Cloete, water-police magistrate, is dead. The Brisbane Club House and Harley's printing oflice have been burned. The wool sales are brisk. Greasy, in small supply, is in great demand. Maize is quoted at 3s 9d. The Frowning Beauty and Hero have arrived from Auckland. The Maud Helen has arrived from California with a cargo of timber. The Lady Denison has sailed for Wanganui and fche Caroline for Auckland. Adelaide, April 8. The Chamber of Commerce has passed resolutions approving of the cental system. The elections are progressing. Major Rock, commander of the forces, is Acting Governor during Sir J. Ferguson's absence. The Flying Cloud, schooner, from Mauritius, has been wrecked, fche crew being saved.