AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2435, 12 January 1876, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

(Por s.s. Arawata, vift Hokitika.) z Mhlboubnd, Jan. 7. Politioal matters aro in a state of stagnation, «nd awing to th* holidays, the revenue returns for tho year have not yet been issuod. Parliamont meets again next Tuesday, when it is probable tho Opposition will prooood to thoir polioy of preventing tho progress of business at any rate, so far as the Budget is oonoerned. The Hon Miohool O'Grady, M.L. A., and formorly Ministor of Works, died rather suddenly on Wednesday night last. He waa Managing Director of the Australian Alliance Assurance Oompany. A coasting Bohoonor named the* Isabella was caught in a squall at the Heads, and wreoked. The crew were saved. The Interprovinoial Crioket Matoh resulted in favour of New South Wales by ono innings and ono run. The respective scores wore— New South Wales, 171} Viotorio, first innings, 136; second inning, 84; total, 170. It was a most shameful beating, and was mainly owing to tho oxoellent bowling of tho Sydney men. The return matoh will bo playod in Sydney, at tho end of February noxt. About 80,000 porsons wero present at tho Champion Race Meeting on Now Year's Day. Champion Stakes, with 1500 boys of added > Money. Riohmond 1 Goldsborough 2 Maid of Alf Work 8 This was a oapital race, won by Riohmond by two lengths m 3min 86800. At tho solo of Mr Neil Blaok's Mount Moorat herd the attendance was not so namorous as was anticipated. The pedigree bulls avoroged £174; sixteen pedigree heifers, £123; eighteen pure short horn bulls, £39. Tho said of the Colao short horns is pro* ceeding to-day, John Foley, an faotolkeeper, has been committed for ■> trial for the manslaughter of Michael Quinlay, through violonoe in ejecting him from the house, Tbe inquest on Albert Berth, resulted in Dr Boanoy boing exonerated from culpable nogligenoe, but the jury addod a rider in favour of the Hospital regulations being etriotly adhered to. Scarlet. foyer has not quito disappeared yet. Several oasos continuo to bo reported in various parts of the Oolony. Tho steamship St Osyth has mado the ?:uiokest passage on reoord, having arrived in orty-threo days oighteon hours from London. The Journal of Commerce, aftor twenty years of publication, has oeascd. The eight hours strike at Eohuoo has ended. Sovoral candidates aro mentioned for tho seat rendored tocartt by Mr O'Grady's decease It is probable that the Minister of Railways will stand. Rumours are current concerning tho failure ofa large Brisbane firm, with oonsidorablo liabilities, mostly duo to English oroditors. Tho Racing Olub, yesterday, disqualified P. Dowling, whoso horso was pulled at tho raoo on Now "Soar's Day. During tho past fow days, tho woathor has beon very oold, and sharp frosts havo ocourred in various parts of the Oolony, Tho Oity of San Francisco and the Mikado, arrived at Sydney early this morning. Tho formor groundod on tho Sow and Pigs, going in, but soon got off. The Ringarooma made tho pasßago from the Wost Coast in four days and eight hourß, tho fastost yet. The Mongolia, with the Suoz mail, is expooted to*day, but tho news is nearly; all anticipated. Sydnby, Jan. 10. Tho publio revenue for the past year is £80,000 better than was anticipated in the Budget spoeoh, and brings up the estimated surplus at the ond of 1876 to over a million anda half. Tbe Governor has reooived a telegram from Lord Carnarvon, intimating that the concession of tbe railway oompanice in Amerioa for oonveying exhibits from San Franoisoo to Philadelphia has been rescinded, At a meeting of tho Commißßion it wob resolved to telegraph to San Franoisoo to asoertain upon what terms exhibits oan be oouveyod. Two ohildren were burned to death in a

house ot Shepherd's paddook. The flro was caused by playing with matches. A strike of men at the Fitzroy Government dook has ooourrod. The dispute is^ about the hours of labour. A trial shipment of frozen meat under Morts' proooss is to be made in England. Queen's Hotel, Castlereegh street, has been destroyed by fire • insured. Tbe captain of the Oolima writes to the Herald, taking oxoeption to tbe statements made as to the inferiority of the crank shafts. Fivo Kanakas were pioked up in an up* turned canoe, whioh had been upset by a sudden squall. They had been five days drifting about. A new rush has taken place to tbe head of the Palmer River. Numbers are going. The S round is very extensive and rioh, but water i very soarce, and the diggers are stacking j wash dirt. One man is reported to bave got 25 pounds weight iv three weeks.