AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 790, 5 December 1870, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

Bluff, Dec. 4, 5 p.m. The Tararua, Hagley, commander, left Melbourne at 5 p.m. on Nov. 29, and arrived at the Bluff at noon on Dec. 4. She has 21 chief and 39 steerage passengers, the Southland portion of the English mail, 323 tons cargo, and 42 horses. The Tararua leaves for Dunedin on Dec. 5. Passenger list. Saloon: For Dunedin — Messrs Clappertpn, Muir, Pittman, J. F. Peake, .Greig, Strachan, Gidney, Mrs Greig, Mrs Smith, Mr Paterson ; 30 Bteerage, 160 tons cargo, and 42 horses. For Northern ports — Messrs Louisson, Eckroyd, Templer, Loughnan, Wood, Garwood, Mrs White, Miss and Master White; 9 in steerage, and about 120 tons cargo. Melbourne, Nov. 29. The meeting of the Polynesia Company was postpoaed to admit of the preparation of a more satisfactory report. Matters in Fiji are not progressing to the satisfaction of tbe shareholders. The Earl of Pembroke's yacht, Albatross, was wrecked there, and the Earl and crew were saved, but lost everything, and would take the first steamer for Auckland. Four " larrikins " have been flogged in gaol. This punishment is likely to abate the " larrikin " nuisance. The strike on the Beechworth railway is causing anxiety. Several squads of police have gone to Kilmore to maintain order. The navvies demand seven shillings a day, but the contractors offer six. Herr Bandmann left the Hay market suddenly, and proceeded overland to Sydney,: where he arrivedyesterday. Mrs Bandmann followed by steamer. Many surmises sre | current in consequence. ' Parliament is making great progress with the Estimates, and is likely to prorogue early. The Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister Bill has passed through Committee. It simply enacts that such marriages shall not be voidable in Victoria. The Belliquese, a French ironclad, has put in for coals. She leaves for New Caledonia at the end of tbe week. The Hotham illicit distillery case was heard at the Police Court to-day, Wilson,

the distiller, was fined £300, or twelve months' imprisonment. Harrison's (the proprietor) case is proceeding, and likely to end similarly. Arrived — Lady Denison, from Wanganui ; Sarah and Mary, - from Hokitika ; Annie Moore, from Riverton ; Alhambra, from Bluff. The Mary has sailed for Hokitika. Business has been very dull. Flour has settled down to £12 10s ; wheat, 5s 6d to 5s 9d ; oats, 3s 4d to 33 7d ; maize, 4s ld. Sugars and teas are unaltered. The weather continues variable. Feed of all kinds is abundant, the hay crop is large, and the harvest prospects good. The shareholders of the National Bank had a preliminary meeting to organise a line of actioD for the meeting on Dec. 9. The affairs of the Bank are in an unpromising condition. The strange revelations respecting the officers in connection with Fisher's estate led to much public comment. Meanwhile shares have gone down from £6 to £4 16s. Alexander McKinnon, late of Port Chalmers, owner of the steamer .Albion, now in Melbourne gaol, has filed his schedule : liabilities £260, assets, £1 10s. Sydney, Nov. 28. Kendall, the author of the words for "Euterpe," is committed for trial for forgery. The medical evidence proved insanity. It turns out that he leffi Mcl bourne owing to discoveries being, made of a similar nature. He frequently cashed cheques, and then took them up again before being paid into the Bank, thus avoid, ing discovery. The Lady Bird has arrived from Wellington. The Heversham has sailed from Newcastle for Wellington. Adelaide, Nov. 28. Mr Hutton, Under Treasurer, took poison and cut his throat, but he survives, and is likely to recover. Brisdane, Nov. 28. The Parliament has pa9Bed the new tariff as proposed by the Government, with slight amendments.