AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5573, 22 March 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

♦ [Pbb Pbmbs Association. J (Per s.s. Manapouri, vift the Bluff.) VICTORIAN AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. A PROJECTED INTERCOLONIAL CONFERENCE. THE COMMERCIAL BANK FRAUDS. A RESULTING BANKRUPTCY. Melbourne, March 17. Bishop Moorhouße sailed on Thursday last for England por the mail steamer Bengal, a very largo crowd of friends and admirers accompanying him to the vessel. The Premier has forwarded to Admiral Tryon a report of the conclusions arrived at by the Steam Navigation Board in reference to the accident to tho Waihora, and baa requosted that Her Majesty 8 ship Myrmidon may make a survey ot the looaiity whore tho vessel struck. Ho pointed out that tho rock which tho steatner is alleged to have struck is situated directly ia the fairway of navigation. The agricultural statistics, compiled by Mr Hayter, have been published. Thej show that tho wheat yield is considerably less than last year's. The average for tho past season Iwing 901, as against 060 for the proviouß season. The gross yield from 1,000,530 acres was 0,079,227 bushels. At the instance of the Seoretary of Shto for the Coloured, negotiations liave for some time been in progress with the view of bringing t gether the Governors and Premiers of the whole of the Australian Colonies. The primary objoet oE the meeting would be tocounider the scheme of naval defence proposed by Admiral Tryon. The relations of the Colonies to £he J VewGuiueaProtoctoratt',theattitudeof \>rmanr regarding Samoa, ivudthe dpeignß t ""ranee o n tll ° Now Uoliridcß would also ? x nX; t "t dißCUßsion. Tho Governor of V.cto viahasbe. Govcrnorß pf oth( . r ™unicatio.n with th* . &{ land were at fin* willing to mee>, 0 «t 1W Zealand subaequ^ntly changed its vi n«. and decided not to Attend s and two otht't? Cdonies are only filling to ioin on th< condition that either New South Waleß or Now Zealand be represented at the gathering. The negotiations are therefore at a standstill. AdbuxiV*, March 17. Wilson, accountant in tli* Ce»vaeroM

Bank, was declared insolvent yesterday, under instructions from the Directors' solicitors, who have instituted proceedings against him for misappropriating funds. A mooting of the creditors of James Cowan, one of the persona to whom Crooks advanced money, was held to-day. Hia contingent assets amouut to J8572.000. Cowan's assets consist chiefly of interests in land syndicates, and mining ventures. The Commercial Bank is a secured creditor.