AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 637, 8 June 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Hokitika, June 7. The Tararua arrived from Melbourne at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning, after a five days, seventeen hours' passage, but owing to bad weather was not tendered till this afternoon. The Tararua left Melbourne on May 30, experienced very fine weather during the first part of the passage, but afterwards a heavy north-east gale was met with, which compelled the steamer to go slow for eighteen hours, also had thick weather on making the land. She brings six saloon and forty-two steerage passengers, together with 232 tons cargo for all ports. The Claud Hamilton was passed off Cape Liptrop at 11 p.m. on the 30th ult. The Tararua made her

up-trip with the English mail in four days eleven hours. Passenger list : — Mr A. C. Pritchard, Mrs Patterson, Master Patterson, Mr Ella, Mr Wallace, and Captain Lindsay. Melboubne, May 30. The Assembly has passed nearly half the estimates. The Government refuse to grant a pension to Wintle's widow. Mr Longmore has given notice of motion for a vote of £2000 to Dr Lang. Mr Chamley has been appointed Crown Solicitor. The Publicans' Bill has been read a second time. Charles Day, chemist, Lonsdale street east, has committed suicide by taking prussic acid. He was suffering from delirium tremens. His funeral was largely attended. A serious railway collision occurred at Footscray on Tuesday last. A Ballarat train dashed into one from "Williams town and about4o passengers were injured, but none seriously. The inquest on Walsbe was concluded on Wednesday. Supple is fully committed for trial. Draper has been found guilty of the charge of making a fake entry in the bank books, but sentence was deferred until certain law points had been argued. A man named Thornton or Thompson, a clergyman from New Zealand, has been charged with obtaining money on false pretences. He states that he had authority to collect subscriptions to build a church burned down by the Maoris. The Eussian ship Bazarin anchored at Hobarton. The officers were invited to a ball at which the Governor was present. Public opinion, against assisted immigration, is steadily gaining ground. The Chamber of Commerce met on May 27, when the president introduced Messrs Fitzherbert, Pharazyn, Bhodes, and .Collie who fully explained their object in visiting Victoria. A long discussion ensued, and the president assured the deputation that the subject would receive their best con* sideration. Charles Matthews' performances continue to draw good houses. The Queen's birthday festivities passed of successfully. Captain Foster Fyam of Geeldng, an old colonist, is dead. The Protection and Anti-State Immigration League is becoming numerically stronger. The Carlton garden gates were removed during the night, and the roadway forcibly opened. The Government decline to interfere. A meeting of the shareholders of the Polynesia Company was stormy. Keith charged the directors with de* frauding the shareholders in the sale of the company's land. The chairman made a full and satisfactory explanation. The directors were re-elected. The match between Harris and Hewitt for £300 is fixed for June 23. Business is dull. Flour is unchanged, transactions being confined to trade requirements. Wheat is quoted at 4s lOd to 4s lid; Tasmanian oats, 3s 3d; maize, 4s 9d Cape barley, 3s 3d. Kerosine is slightly easier, owing to large arrivals ; sales have been made by auction at 2s 9£d; holders ask 2s lOd to 3s. Candles are dull at lOd. Wines and spirits rule low. Sugars are easy ; the price has fallen £2 per ton at the sales by auction. At the wool sales there was a large attendance, and the bidding was spirited ; greasy wool formed the chief portion of the catalogue. Sydney, May 28. Mr Cowper, junr., has been appointed Water Police Magistrate at Penrith. Henry Eogerson, arrested on a charge of bigamy, has been committed lor trial. The Governor is visitingthe Bathurst and Orange districts. Thunderbolt committed a robbery near Armidale. The police pursued. Constable Walker chased Thunderbolt for seven miles. Thunderbolt got bogged and refused to surrender. Shots were exchanged, and eventually Walker shot Thunderbolt dead. The Government have given Walker a gratuity of £400 and have also promoted him. Negociations are pending with a view to reduce the telegraph charges. The Spanish Consul has sailed in the ship Hawkesbury. Proceedings have been instituted

against Dr Smith (L. L. ?) for opening an anatomical museum. A gold-fields commission has been appointed. A meeting has been convened with a view to making provision for the hon. Mr Plunkett's widow. Mr Dalley, barrister, has been appointed a member of the Legislative Council ia the room of Dr McFarlane. Topley has commenced his walking match against time. He walked seven miles in fifty-seven minutes. The Wonga Wonga sailed for Honolulu via Auckland to-day, with fifty passengers. Her freight was valued at £2000. "The Eleanor has arrived at Newcastle from Duuedin. The Ann Melhuish has sailed for Wellington, and the Tell for Auckland. Business generally is dull. A large sale of candles has been made at lOfd. South Sea cotton has been sold at lOd per lb. At the wool sales, prices were unchanged. Sheepskins are in demand. .Adelaide, May 28. The new Parliament was opened yesterday. Mr Kingston was elected Speaker. The Government was outvoted on a motion having reference to the reply to the Governor's speech the same evening. They resigned. CapI tain Hart has undertaken the task of forming a Ministry with good prospect of success. Mount Gambier wheat is quoted at 4s7d.