AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 680, 28 July 1870, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

Tho Rangitoto arrived at Hokitika yesterday. Melbourne, July 21. Supples trial took place yesterday. Mr Higginbotham defended and admitted the act of shooting fully, but asked for a verdict of acquittal on the ground of prisoner's insanity. The prisoner interjected remarks during the trial, otherwise his demeanour was quiet throughout. The jury gave a verdict of guilty of wilful murder against the prisoner, adding, however, tbat it was their unanimous opinion that the pistol went off accidentally. The prisoner was remanded for sentence, the Judge stating he would reserve a case on the point submitted by the jury. Studman, Maryborough, was acquitted on the charge of murdering his wife. After being released he assaulted Williams, formerly in his employment, and whom he supposed to have destroyed his domestic happiness. Studman is again in prison for the assault. The Navigation Board has offered a reward on the conviction of masters of vessels neglecting to carry lights at sea. Vere was found guilty, at Maryborough, for murdering Cheale at St Arnaud. Sentence— death. Musicka, the "Williamstown publican, was found guilty of shooting at Davis. The verdict was one month's imprisonment without hard labour. The "Victorian contributions for the Sydney Exhibition are not numerous. Messrs Mason and Plinn are candidates for Avoca. The Spec has arrived from Lyttelton. Flour is unchanged ; oats are quoted at 3s 7d to 3s 8d ; maize is firm at 4s 7d. Sugars are dull. Business generally is flat. There are great complaints amongst the trade that money cannot be got in. Sydney, July 20. Great floods have occurred at Gympie and Ipswich, Queensland. A Prussian war steamer is expected shortly in Fiji waters. - A full meeting of the Chamber of Commerce bas resolved to request the Government to place such an amount on the estimates towards subsidising the Auckland and Californian mail, as will secure the terminus here. The Challenger sailed for Wellington on July 19. The Stranger has arrived from Lyttelton with a cargo of wheat. The Novelty has sailed for Auckland. Messrs J. Owens and Co. have held a meeting of creditors. Liabilities, £20,000. The Australian Insurance

Company has declared a dividend of 10 per cent. The wool sales were well attended and the biddings were brisk, especially for greasy wool. Adelaide, July 20. The Port Darwin telegraph contract has been obtained by Darwent and Dalwood. Dean EarrolPs widow is dead. Parliament re-opens to-morrow. The corn market is firm. i