SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 923, 7 September 1868, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Adelaide, August 21. S The -question .of.. the existing branch postal service between Adelaide and King George's Sound has. been .brought up in Parliament, and returns are to be furnished oftheannual cost of the service to the colony. There are fears expressed in some quar T ters (although they are generally consi-' dered groundless) "that the Albert Tower of the Town Hall may prove insecure, owing to a slight settlement which has been discovered in the foundations. .; The new tpwer of the/, -new Post? Office which is, being built opposite to the Town Hall will be more massive still, and rests upon a similar substratum. The attention of the Government has been called to it in Parliamenf. Although Mr Mais, the Eugineer-in-Chief,' was' successfully defended by the Government in the recent adverse motions in the Assembly, the , defeated members renewed ,the attack, with a view to fix Mr Mais, if possible, with the costs of an action recently decided against him, but which was defended' by the Government, \vho paid the damages and costs out of the Treasury. The Government resolutions on the Northern Territory ques ion were not adopted last night by the Assembly so far as relates to the payment of any of the money to the holders of land orders, the House having resolved that the land shall still be surveyed -with an extension of time for the selection. The Government have not, however, t. eated it as a vote of want of confidence, and have announced to-day in Parliament that they do uot intend to resign, but will take the necessary steps for' giving effect to the decision of the House and will immediately invite fresh tenders for' the survey of the country. General satisfaction has been expressed at this announcement of the course intended to be adopted. [by ihter-provincial telegraph.] Dunedin, Sept. 1 3, 1.5 pan. The Tararua brings the following news from the Australian colonies :—: — Melbourne, Aug. 28. The Assembly has granted £1,200 to the family of the late Peter r-nodgrass. 'I he Assembly refused to appoint a joint committee 10 alter and amend the Constitution. Proceedings have been instituted against the Hugh Pecks' Lottery of freehold property. James Henry Kemis is committed for trial for perjury. A commi'tee has been appointed to inquire into the accusation against the Hun. C. E. Jones. Rich finds of 'gold are reported at the Whipstick, Sandhurst. ' Trade generally is quiet. Breadstuff's continue firm ; 125 tons flour sold at auction at £17 ; trade parcels fetch.£lß ; wheat is in demand at 8s ; oats are firm at 3s lOd to 4s. Three thousand parcels, new season teas sold at a price withheld ; supposed to be at a slight decline on current rates. Hops are in demand. " . j The '"oubaix candles are inquired .for at three farthings. 200. packages of tobacco sold at Is 3£d for half-pounds ; la 7fd for twist, and Is l^d for bars. Fencing wire, Rylahds', at auction, Nos 4, 5, 6s brought £12, £12 15s, and £14. Fine salt is reduced to £6 10s ; Martell's brandy, 7s 9d ; Patna rice is firm at 28s. The Pine Plains station, ' Lower Wim- | mera district, with 13,000 sheep, has been | sold for £9200. i . , ■ Sydwey, Aug. 27. Mr Parkes, Colonial Secretary, asserts that the Government are in possession of affidavits proving that the assassination of the Duke of .Edinburgh was preconcerted. One man who was in the secret •was murdered to prevent , discovery; of the conspiracy. *-, * ' ' Toe , cook of .the Kaikoura has been frightened to death by a savage dog. The A.S.N. Company propose laying on a steamer between Sydney and Fiji. Archdeacon M'Enroe was buried on .Tuesday. There was a lance profession, and six bishops and forty-six priest* were also present. Coquette is the favourite for the Derby. Tim Whiffler and the Barb for the Meropolitan. The season's wool offered at auction was ■withdrawn for higher prices. The sale' of teas ex Rachael wa- dull. Inferior congous realised £5 10s to £6 2s 6d; medium, £6 3s to £6 7s. and £5 9s 5d ; maize, 2s yd ; cocoa nut oil, £33 10s to £38. Adelaide, August 27.

A new copper mine has beed discovered at Goolwa. There is a slight improvement in the corn market. Prices nominal ; wheat firm. ' [by submarine telegraph.] Wellington, Sep. 3, 7.55 p.m. In the Assembly last night, Mr Mervyn nnved that special representation for the goldfields should cease. The Government said they were favourable to some readjustment of the representation, and that they would submit resolutions shortly, " The second reading of Mr Reynolds i Ballot Bill was carried by 34 to 23. After thne hours' debate, the Libel Bill went into committee, when Mr Reid's six months' amendment thereon was rejected by 26 to 24. To-day MrVogel's motion for- enabling provinces to set apart permanently a portion of the land fund for immigration, has been under discussion. Mr Jollie has moved an amendment, setting apart .25 per cent thereof, " under the control of the local authority, or- of any commissioner of immigration." A preliminary meeting is to be held this evening to arrange for a farewell demonstration to Sir George Grey. The Constitutionalists intend to agree to the proposed closing of partnership between the General and Provincial Governments on January 1, but to dispute energetically th.j basis on which the other , financial proposals are calcu'ated. Their details are not all arranged, for a few days. A' meeting ot the N.Z.S.N. Company's shareholders tnkes place on September 14, to consider the position of the company. There was a. dinner last night to Mr Boddington, who leaves shortly for Kaiapoi as manager of the Bank of New Zealand.