AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 618, 16 May 1870, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

Bluff, May 15; The s.s. Claud Hamilton left Hobson's Bay afc 2 p.m. on May 9 ; paßsed Port Phillip Heads at 5, Cape Shanck afc 7, and Swan Island afc 8 p.m. on May 10; experiencing fine weather during the passage. Made the S.W. Cape afc 8 p.m. on the 14th, and entered fche Bluff afc 10.30 a.m. on the 15th. Passengers : For Otago. ~ Messrs M'Farlane (2), Mr and Mrs Martin, Mr and Mrs J. L. Coster, Mr Kempthorne, Miss Carr, Miss Dalyill. For Lyttelton — Mr and Mrs Oldham. Fot Wellington — Mrs Q-ooden. For Napier — Mr Niel, Mrs Campbell. For Greymouth — Mrs Hogg, Mrs Munson. Melbouenk, May 9. Parliament; meets to-morrow. No organised opposition against fche Ministry is expected. John H. Vickers, arrested in New Zealand, has been remanded fcoßallarat. A large meeting of National Bank shareholders negatived fche annual report declaring no dividend. A motion for a special meeting was ca?-; ried. The directors recommend the appointment of a new manager. The losses are variously estimated afc from twenty to forty thousand pounds.' Mr £. M Young, South Australia, has been offered the general management vice "Wright resigned. Public subscriptions, amounting to £700, have been forwarded to the Sydney Flood Belief Fund. Negociations towards a union between Presbyterian churches are progressing satisfactorily. Afc a large auction sale Echuca preserved meats fetched fourpence per pound. Kelly, the mate of the bushranger Power, has been arrested. Power still continues at large. Johnstone has been elected for Geelong. The successful tenderer for the North-Eastern Railway has not yet been named. Another prosecution has been commenced against Draper under fche trusts' statute. The stock of Hermann and Dente, clothiers, has been destroyed' by fire. Mr Kermode, of Mona Vale, Launceston, is dead. Arrived. — Sea Ripple and Queen of the Sea, from Mauritius ; Roquette, from Honolulu ; Omeo, on May 8 ; and Alma, from Hokitika. Business is without animation. Floip is quoted at £11 ss. Maize is scarce at 4s 9d. Wheat is scarce at 4s 6i to, 4s lOd. Sugars have slightly declined.,; Teas are active— chests, 2s 2d. Candles are in demand; large sales have been madeat 10£ d.' Kerosene is rising; one parcel brought 2s 10£d;> Sidney, May 8. The Kate Kearney, from, Western Australia, has been put; in quarantine, having three caseß of small-pox on board. Thirteen men, rescued irom — tbeWalter Hood, reached Sydney after great suffering. , The wreck ( of the vessel sold for £95. Five bodies were recovered at Shoalhaven. - > Thunderbolt has resumed his depre- * dations. ■. ■ ■ a _, "' I A mining engineer, named Channon has shot himself. Traffic has been resumed on the railways. ■ ■:'■■■■ .:,.* The Loan Bill has been abandoned, because the Council has reduced the amount to £300,000. . „ Parliament is prorogued to June 14. Arrived. — Ann Melhuish and Haversham, from Wellington. At New-

castle, Grisbnai from Auckland-;-Ben~ gal, from Dunedin ; 3?airy Bock/from' "Wellington. - A portion 'of theMassaolife's cargo! of sugars realised £32 12a&i to £37 'pa. The wool ; sales were quiet, but prices were maintained. Adelaide, May 8. Goodman, injured during tbe late riots, haß accepted £30 as compensation. • The T3ushman's Home has been completed, and was formally opened. The Ministry Has resigned. Mr Strangways has been sent for. The corn market is quiet. Wheat is quoted at 5s 3d. Sugars are firm.