AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 730, 24 September 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Hokitika, Sept. 23, 9.20 a.m. The Bangitoto, Captain Mackie, arrived from Melbourne at 7 a.m. Left Melbourne on Sept. 17 at 3 p.m., and had light head winds throughout the passage. Passengers : — For Nelson — Mr and Mrs Gouland. !Por Wellington — M. Walker. For Lyttelton Robinson. For Dunedin — E. S. Gibson, S. J. Fell. For Bluff— -Miss Chalmers ; 18 in the steerage for all ports. Cargo : Hokitika, 130 tons ; Greymouth, 17£ tons ; Nelson, 60 tons ; Wellington, 74 tons; Lyttelton, 6 tons ; Dunedin, 14 tons. Melbottbne, Sept. 17. The Gothenburg arrived early yesterday morning from New Zealand ports. The Bangitoto arrived the Sunday before the mail left. The French gunboat Surcouf, bound to New Caledonia from Galle, put in for coals and provisions on Sunday, Sept. 11. Some excitement was caused before her dates were known, as it was thought she might have brought later war news. It turned out, however, that she left Galle on August 4. She took sufficient coals and provisions to carry her to her port of destination. The captain is reported to have stated his intention of taking any Prussian vessels he may meet with. The floods have subsided, except at Echuca, where the water is again rising. The whole township is threatened. Mr James Wilberforce Stephen has been elected for St. Kilda unopposed. Mr Bobert Bennett and Mr Bobert Bamsay were nominated to-day for East Bourke. The latter is a partner of Mr McGregor, member for Bodney. Mr M'Kellar beat Mr Martin for the : Western Province by a large majority. ; The Supreme Court has upheld Cohn's conviction for selling drink on Sundays, holding that travellers are not entitled to be supplied on Sundays. Supples conviction is unanimously upheld by the Judges, and he has been sentenced to death. He made a speech, alleging that he was the victim of slander, and that he did a meritorious deed in trying to shoot the slanderer. The Chief Justice told him that if his principles were carried out there would be an end to all society, law, and order.

Mr Bawlings, J.P., Hon. Treasurer of the Boyal Society, who had been dismissed, has recovered from the effects of poison taken accidentally. Mrs Macs, mother of the late Miss St. Denis, actress, is in the hospital, suffering from cancer. Dr Casey has been acquitted of all blame in the case of a Chinaman's death from an overdose of morphia, it having been alleged that he was guilty of carelessness in administering the dose. St. Enoch's Church, having been converted into a Presbyterian Assembly Hall, was formally opened with a tea meeting, at which Sir James M'Culloch presided. The annual examination of the deaf and dumb school took place in the New Town Hall, which was crowded on the occasion. Messrs Fulton and Co. have completed the first sugar mill made in the colony, for Mr Ewan of Port Macqnarie. The dramatic season of the Eoyal has been commenced by Coppin in a round of characters. There have been full houses. Mrs Gladstane has gone to Sydney. The Bandmanns are again here for a short stay. Matthews is drawing crowded houses at Adelaide. The Tom Thumb troupe is at Beechworth, en route for Sydney, and thence to New Zealand. The Nightingale sailed on Monday, Sept. 12, for Wellington via Dunedin, taking 2000 cases kerosene and 500 Geneva for the latter port. The Annie Beaton sails to-day for Riverton and the Bluff. The Magnet sails for Greymouth. The James Patterson, steamer, sails for Auckland via Sydney, on Monday, Sept 19. The schooner Bertha, of Launceston, has been wrecked on Cape Liptrap beach. Captain Quinn, two sailors, and four passengers, were lost. Luke Cullen was the sole survivor. The Rangitoto will call at Picton on her present trip. In future, the Tararua will call at Timaru and Oamaru. There have been, considerable Bales of flour during the week at £12 10a to £12 12s 6d, and of trade lots at £13. Wheat is scarce at 5s 6d to 5s Bd, but there is very little animation. Oats continue dull at 3s sd. Maize ia a shade better at 3s 9d. Honolulu sugars sold readily at current rates. A cargo of teas from Hankow sold freely, but there is no material change in either sugars or teas. Blasting powder has reached Bd, and quicksilver is quoted at 3s. Sydney, Sept. 16. The Galatea arrived from New Zealand on Sept. 15. The Prince visited the Governor, drove through the city, and visited the Exhibition, but no demonstration was made. The Clio arrived to-day. Thame and Walker, wholesale grocers, have been fined £300 for illicit distilling on their premises. Their general stock was seized, and they assigned their estate to the creditors. The Maggie left Newcastle for Dunedin on Sept. 15, and the Crishna for Auckland on Sept. 13. The Ceres arrived there from Greymouth, and the Haversham from Wellington, on the same date. Adelaide, Sept. 16. The Assembly is passing the Protective Tariff. The last of the overland telegraph party left Adelaide to-day. They expect to complete the line in 12 months. The projected Tweed factory was a failure ; only a few shares were subscribed. Hobabt Town, Sept. 16. The Legislative Assembly has taken the initiative in the payment of members. The Treasurer has introduced a new tariff of a protective character.