AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 748, 15 October 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Melbourne, Oct 8. Supple has been respited, to allow an appeal to the Privy Council. Eorder has been committed for trial. Brockman, a miller at Richmond, has been sentenced to three years'

penal servitude for obtaining £300 fraudulently from one of his men. The JBallarat mine revival swindlers have been sentenced to two years' penal servitude. Mr Thomas Mulcahy, a broker, was killed by being thrown from his buggy on the way to the Caledonia diggings. The butchers employed by the Melbourne Meat-Preserving Company have struck for 7s a day ; they were receiving 6s. The Magistrates throughout the colony resent the Attorney-General's circular, in which he calls their attention to the fact that fees should not be taken, the remark appearing applicable to one or two only and not to the general body. The single female immigrants by the Colonial Empire were readily engaged at £20 to £30. A nugget weighing 74 lbs has been found at Berlin. The Omeo, which has returned from Port Darwin, reports that the settlement is progressing, and that the construction of the overland line of telegraph to Port Augusta has been J commenced. The Adeline Burke has arrived, and the Ceres has cleared for G-reymouth. The Auckland arrived from Sydney yesterday. The markets have varied but slightly during the week. Flour has fluctuated, and closed easier, sales reaching only £13. Wheat iB quoted at 5s lOd to 6s. Feeding grains are again dull at last week's quotations. New season's teas are arriving freely here and in the neighbouring colonies; sales are in consequence more difficult. Sugars are steady ; later Mauritius advices report that the crops are scarcely equal to expectation, and that prices there are firm. Candles are easier. The underwriters have agreed to charge 2 per cent, extra premium to foreign ports, and 1 per cent, by mail steamer. The Melbourne MeatPreserying Company has declared a dividend of 10 per cent. The weather is seasonable — showery, with sunshine — but a sudden heavy rain fell yesterday, causing temporary floods in the Maryborough and Castlemaine districts, and doing much damage. The crops, however, are healthy, and it is expected there will be a good, average yield. Sydney, Oct. 7. The Duke of Edinburgh closed the Exhibition in the presence of a large audience. The Government narrowly escaped defeat on a motion by Sir James Martin, censuring them for dealing with debentures illegally. After a long and acrimonious debate, the motion was negatived by a majority of 2. Adelaide, Oct. 7. The Government escaped defeat by a majority of one only. Hob act Town, Oct. 7. The Government have carried the Main Line Railway Bill through the Legislative Council by the casting vote of the Speaker.