LATER FROM AUSTRALIA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1740, 15 July 1862, Page 3

LATER FROM AUSTRALIA.

We have received our files, of Sydney papers from which we obtain the following summary of intelligence.

Parliamentary business in the Sydney Legislative Assembly has been rather devoid of general interest, but i warm discussion recently ensued on the introduction of a Bill for the Abolution of State aid to Religiou, and there would appear to be a desire, ou both sides to make a party question of this and he kindred question relative to Church and School Lands. Nothing more strongly shows the diversity of opinion held on those subjects than the fact of the opposing factions, expressing the utmost confidence iv the issue of a general election, should one take place on those grounds,

Au agitation similar to what took place in Victoria about a year ago for " Protection to Colonial Industry," has been attempted but as yet without any great measure of success.

The Lachlau Escort robbery, has created a considerable amount of excitement. The Lachlau Observer contains tbe followiug. Sir Fredric Pottinger and the police are still ia pursuit of the robbers, but after rnnning the tracks forty miles unfortunately lost them, owing to the late rains. Up to a particular point, we believe there was little difficulty in tracking, and had not the rain interfered with the pursuit it is by no means improbable that the scoundrels might have been huuted down. The superintendent of police of the Western districts has arrived at Forbes with the intention toco-operate with Sir Frederick Pottinger, but it is for the time being condemned to inaction owing to the impossibility uf ascertaining his -whereabouts until some of the troopers return. Speculation has been very rife as to the personnel of the delinquents, uot a few having fixed upon Gardiner and his gang as the perpetrators of the robbery, alleging lhat the direction of the tracks *

points to his beat ; that his quietude oTlate was simply a ruse to lull suspicion ; and tbat the present affair is his last grand feat prior to closing his accounts as a disciple of Turpiu. On this score we leave the public to form tbeir own conclusionSi merely premising that as a mere speculation, there appears to be some feasibility in it.

Mr. Landsborough's despatch, notifying that ho had crossed the continent from Carpentaria^ and had arrived on the Darling, was taken into consideration by the Exploration Committee, at a special meeting on Saturday. a somewhat lengthy discussion, it was resolved that a message should be forwarded by special messenger to Mr. ■Landsborough, at Menindie, intimating that it would not be necessary for him to communicate with Mr. Howitt's depot party at Cooper's Creek, and requesting him to proceed, at his earliest convenience, to Melbourne. It was further resolved that, immediately upon the hon. seoretary being apprised of Mr. Land-sborough being en route for Melbourne, and his not having taken any steps to communicate with Mr. Howitt, a telegraphic message be sent to Adelaide, urging the South Australian Government to inform Mr. Howitt that (Mr. Laudsborough having returned) he may proceed homewards with . the remains of Burke and V.'ills, under such circumstances £3 to loute and time as he may deem advisable.