AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1891, 25 March 1874, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

Melbourne, March 19. The nominations for the first batch of elections have taken place, and resulted in the | unopposed return of six members. In eleven ; districts, contests take place. A good deal of apathy is displayed, and very little interest is taken. The Chief Secretary and Treasurer i addressed their constituents mainly on the constitutional question. H.M.S. Challenger, on a scientific cruise, is now in harbour, and will probably visit New Zealand. She haß aboard Lord Geo. Campbell, son of the Duke of Argvle, as sublieutenant. The German man-of-war Arcona is aho in harbour. She is on a cruise, and will visit Fiji. The Californian steamer Cyphrenes has arrived, making the passage to Adelaide in 60 days. A libel case against the Australasian is proceeding, It has reference to remarks made about pulling a horse in a steeplechase at Bendigo. Henry Cohn, formerly a well-known publican at Sandridge, committed suicide by poison. The final cricket match between the English Eleven and 18 Victorians resulted in a draw, owing to heavy rain. The Victorians, in the first innings, made 150; the English 166. W .G. Grace made 64. The eleven proceeded to Adelaide, and thence they go home. A good deal of unpleasant feeling by the professionals was shown previous to departure. A large deputation on Sabbath observance interviewed the Chief Secretary. The new members of the Italian Opera Company are a very great success, In the Buckley will case, the Supreme Court has decided that the will is a forgery, and by Maher. Maher's bill was dismissed. Sydney, March 18. The Government has arranged with Queensland and New Zealand for laying a cable from Singapore to the Queensland coast, and will ask Parliament to sanction the arrangement. The Tartar took 70 cabin passengers. The Assembly rejected the Payment of Members Bill. The miners have suffered great privations at the Palmer river, owing to the scarcity of provisions. The blacks are very troublesome. Two men were killed, and three wounded. The gold prospects are satisfactory, but the country is almost inaccesible. Adelaide, March 18. A train and carriages, on the Northern railway, ran off the line at the points. Two persons were killed. At the inquest, it was shown that the points had been moved maliciously by an unknown person. A shock of earthquake was felt at the Northern Territory.