LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 556, 18 September 1869, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

DEATH OP MR J. P. FAWKNER. PIGHTING IST THE NORTH ISLAND. REPULSE OF TE KOOTI. (BY ELECTRIC! TELEGBAPR.) (From the W. G. Times.) Bluff, Sept. 14. The Omeo arrived at the wharf at seven o'clock this morning. She sighted the Gothenburg off Kent's group. Passages for 400 Chinese have been taken in the Gothenburg, for Otago, aud she will bring them on her next trip. Melbourne, Sept. 7. The Government is completely disorganised. Mr M'Culloch is seriously ill. The vacancies in the Ministry have been rilled up, the Hon. George Rolfe being appointed Commissioner of Customs ; and Mr Wm. Wilson, member for Ararat, Commissioner of Railways and Roads. These new appointments have given great displeasure to tho Ministerial supporters. Resolutions against State Aid to religion have been carried by a large majority. J. P. Pawkner, the founder of Melbourne, died on the 4th inst., and a public funeral was proposed for tomorrow (the Bth.) A Supreme Court Conference has been held in reference to the decision of the Magistrates in Kinneally's case, and that has been upheld. Kinneally has since left the Colony. Flour is £l4 10s to £ls, and is still rising. Tho markets otherwise are unchanged. Sydney, Sept. 6. Great agitation has commenced for the abolition of capital punishment. The Sydney Derby Stakes were won by a Victorian horse, Mr H. Fisher's Charon ; Moselle, second. The Challenger arrived on the Gth. A sailor named Sparsholt fell overboard and was drowned. Napier, Sept. 15. Te Kooti, with a force of 200 foot and SO horse, attacked Henare Topimona's Friendlies, near Taurauga, and was repulsed with a loss of three killed, while tho Friendlies had only two wounded. Henare repulsed a renewed attack by Te Kooti, the latter having five men killed. Henare had none killed, but three wounded. Te Kooti got possession of a number of Henare's horses. Lieutenant-Colonel Herrick and one hundred natives of the Tapuhcruru tribe, reached Henare's camp on Tuesday with a supply of food and ammunition. Te Kooti is short of ammunition, and is still at Tokanui. Colonel M'Donnell, with two hundred men, must hare joined Henare the same day. If the Waikatos have separated from Te Kooti, he is in a desperate position. The next information is anxiously looked for. The Wanganuis, under Kemp, are daily expected to reinforce Henare. They will be supported by 80 Constabulary, and will then follow Te Kooti up.