LATEST FROM MELBOURNE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2632, 6 February 1868, Page 6

LATEST FROM MELBOURNE.

We have Melbourne files to the 25th ultimo, and telegraphic advices to the 29th. THE ELECTIONS. The first batch of elections is over, and has resulted in the return of a large number of ministerialists. It is expected that the Government will secure a majority in the second batch, though probably some of the ablest members of tlie Opposition will be returned. FRIGHTFUL OUTRAGE. A frightful outrage was committed at the Bank of Victoria, Epsom, a little after eight o'clock on the night of the 24th. During the short absence of Mr Murcott, the manager, the servant girl heard a noise in the bank, and on proceeding to the spot found a Chinaman. She tried to arrest him, but he gashed her most frightfully with a knife and escaped He was traced for a mile by the bood-marks. The girl was lying in a critical state. THE WRECK OF THE GENERAL GRANT. The news of the wreck of the General Grant has caused great excitement in Victoria. The Governor has agreed to recommend the Home authorities (in reply to a deputation) to direct men-of-war to visit the Auckland Islands. MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY. It was understood that ou Monday, the ! 27th, the Council ofthe MelbourneUnivcrsity would proceed to the election of a Lecturer on Materia Mcdica, Therapeutics, and Medical Botany, the vacancy having been caused by the death of Dr. Eades. ACCLIMATISATION. At a recent meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society in Melbourne, a letter was read from the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand, asking for information as to the expense of bringing out a shipment of salmon ova, and all otlier information bearing upon this point. Dr. Black stated that he had written to Dr. Officer, asking him to send over a set of the published reports of tho salmon commissioners. LATEST TELEGRAMS. The Gazette contains a letter from the Duke of Edinburgh, thanking the colony for the reception given to his lioyal Highness. Tho Wesleyan Conference has accepted the resignation of two ministers — one in South Australia, and the other in .New South Wales.

The Executive have received a petition to pardon M'Cann, as his health is very bad. The Acclimatisation Society havo decided on sending fowls and goats to the Auckland Islands.

Shipping for wool is scarce at Iyd. BURNINO OF TnE CITY OF MELBOURNE.

The City of Melbourne, a fine ship of] 828 tons register, belonging to the Bluck Ball Line, which had for somo time previously been moored alongside the Railway Pier, Williamstown, talcing in cargo, principally wool for London, was found to be on fire on Sunday morning, the 26th uit. As the means resorted to put out the fire proved unavailing, the ship was fired iuto with caunon, and she eventually went down in about twentysix feet of water, but was burnt to tbe water's edge, and the masts went by the board. She had 3000 bales of wool on board. It is stated that the ship was insured.