AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 629, 30 May 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Bltjfi, May 28. The s.s. Eangitoto left Hobson's Bay at 3.30 p.m. on May 23, and pasßed the Heads at 7 p.m. the same day ; passed Swan Island at 4.30 p.m. next day, and experienced light S.W. by W. winds and fine weather ; passed the Solandera at 5.15 a.m. on May 28, and arrived at Bluff Harbour at 11.10 a.m. Passengers : — For Dunedin — Mr Bichtnond, Mr and Mrs Cundell. For "Wellington— Mr B. Shoad ; 25 in the steerage. Cargo .—Dunedin, 63 tons; Lyttelton, 47 tons ; Wellington, 51 tons. Melbotjbne, May 23. The financial debate terminated in the Legislative Assembly on May 19, when several votes were passed without opposition. The Government have accepted the contract of Messrs Leggat, Noonan, and O'Grady, amounting to £305,000, for the construction of the entire works on the North Eastern Bail way. The murder of Mr Walshe has caused general consternation. An inquest was held on May 19, but was adjourned to May 23. Supple maintains a cool, calm demeanour. He regrets that Smith was not killed. An influential committee has been formed to collect subscriptions for Mr Walshe's widow. The Governor gives no Birthday Ball this year. Thomas H. Jones, late of "Wellington, has been arrested on a charge of bigamy. The complainant is Amelia B. J. Crosbie, of Wellington. Mr Pinner has resigned the Secretaryship of the Polynesia Company. Meaßrs Reed and Butters proceed to the Fijis shortly, as Special Commissioners from the Company to settle the American claims against Thakombau. The commissioners appointed at a public meeting held in Wellington, re the San Francisco mail route, have arrived. Ah Pew was hung this morning at Castlemaine. James Moore, a storekeeper at

Talbot, has been charged with having criminally assaulted a female servant. Alexander "Watt, ex-gunner of the Harry Smith hulk, has hanged himself. James Cook, ironmonger, Armstrong street, Ballarat, shot Mrs Moss, wife of a tinsmith, dead. He then blew out his own brains. The Tararua arrived on May 21, also the Kate Conley from Grey mouth. The Prosperity sailed the same day for Hokitika. The Royal Mail steamer Avoca sailed yesterday. Among her passengers were Mr Badcoek, of the Bank of New South Wales ; Mr Van Amstel ; and M. Lessignol, French Consul at Bombay. The Challenger is refitting at Sydney, and will afterwards sail for "Wellington. Trade is steady, but prices generally are fiat, and an uueasy feeling prevails. The quotations for breadstuff's are unchanged, and little is doing. The Victorian Sugar Company have reduced their prices £2 per ton all round. Sugars are dull, stocks being heavy, but reduced prices are unlikely. Teas are in moderate request. Kerosine is firm at 2s 10£ d. Aitken, of Warrnambool, is insolvent. His liabilities are stated at £16,000, and his assets at £11,000. Sydney, May 21. The Balmain Regatta committee intend to offer a prize of £100, for a four-oared gig race, to be open to all the colonies. Heavy rains are still falling. Eecent boisterous weather has caused several disasters among coasting vessels. Mr Campbell, Registrar of the Insolvent Court, is dead>£ *? The sentence of death on "Wakefield of Bathurst, for the murder of a shepherd, has been commuted to imprisonment for life. A Highland brigade of volunteers has been formed lately. They paraded to-day, in full dress, for the first time. The annual University commemoration took place to day. There were about 1000 spectators, and his Excellency Earl Belmore was present. The agitation in favour of the Permicsive Bill is increasing. Arrived — Constance. Honolulu sugars, ex "Wonga "Wonga, fetched the following prices : — Yellows, £36 10a to £37 ss ; rations, £27 10a to £29. Adelaide, May 21. The Governor has formally opened a Bushmans' Home. The Government have declined McKinlay's offer to execute a flying survey for a telegraph line to the Northern Territory. A man named Sedgeley has been convicted of manslaughter. "Wheat is quoted at 5s 4d, and flour at £12. The grain dealers have resolved to introduce the cental system on July 1.