LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3250, 13 July 1871, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

■■ ■-- ■ ■ ' '— [PEE GBEVIM-E'S TEL. CO., EETJTEE'S AGENTS.] Melbourne, July 2. The ship Mary Shepherd was found to be on fire in Hobson's Bay on the 2nd inst, and was scuttled and sunk. The Assembly is adjourned to the 25th July for the ministerial elections, and there is very little business of any public interest stirring. In the markets breadstuff's are exceedingly dull, not the slightest inclination being evinced to enter into any other business than that absolutely necessary for immediate requirements. Flour nominal at £10 5s to £10 10s, and wheat by no means active at late quotations, viz., 7s 4d to 7s sd, even these rates being only obtainable where terms are given. Oats steady at 8s 4d to 3s 8d ; good feeding samples are saleable at 3s 5d to 3s Od. Maize rules at about 8s 9d to 3s lOd. The Formosa is aground at Queenscliffo. There have been heavy rains and floods at Sale, great damage done. Sydney, July 2. The Zavistowski sisters continue to draw large houses. A sailor named Foxcroft has been committed for trial on a charge of stabbing the chief officer of the ship Winnifred on the 22nd, An Imperial despatch received by the last mail considers the liberation of Rangi and Captain Hovell, who were convicted of murdering several Polynesians on board their vessel in the South Seas, was unwarranted. In reply to this, Government Bent a despatch by last mail, stating that the Secretary of State interfering in the administration of criminal justice was not considered regular or expedient, and justifies Captain Hovell's release on the ground that conviction was either erroneous, or based on insufficient evidence. Parliament was prorogued to-day ' with the usual formalities, The speech | was not important, the principal topic for congratulation being expected benefits to be derived from harbor defences and new military forces.

The Navigation Board Bill, which passed the Council last night, was reserved for the Queen's assent. The Council to-day, prior to prorogation, carried a resolution for an address to the Governor, praying for the appointment of a Royal Commission to enquire into the working of the Superannuation Act. Mr Healy, proprietor of the floating dock, died suddenly last evening. Adventuress, Mabel, Pyrrhus, and Whalebone are scratched for the Metropolitan Stakes. The man Savage has been committed for trial for the murder of his brother. Fiji advices report that King Thakombau has adopted a provisional government, with Mr Burt, formerly auctioneer in Sydney, as his Premier. A meeting of delegates had been convened, and the principal native chiefs had sworn allegiance to King and Constitution. Adelaide, July 2. Wheat is very quiet, and buyers and sellers cannot agree as to the price; 5s lid is offered, but no transactions; Weather very stormy. Hobart Town, June S3. The Government arejiavin^a portion of the military barrack lan^jpaeasured off as a site for a large hotel. /^*~ Dunedin, Wecrnesay. Trial crushing of the Border Reef, Bendigo, yielded 41 ozs from 9 tons of stone. The Government have informed Reynolds of their intention to introduce a Workman's Loan Bill this session. Auckland, Tuesday. The weather was very stormy with terrific squalls of hail and rain during the past week. Two fatal accidents by drowning have occurred. Locke arrived at Cambridge on Sunday from Napier, overland. He had an interview with the Ngatirajkawas at Te Whiti on the sth and 6th. The road from Auckland to Napier is now open. The Earl and Countess Belmore returned to Sydney by the Hero on Saturday. Hoskins and Miss Colville, after a most successful season at the Thames, returned to Auckland, and are performing to crowded houses. All mining stock has still a downward tendency. Caledonians sold today at £100; Thames, £22 ; Tookey, £U; Alburnia, £8 ; Otago's, 555 ; Caledonian pay £6 dividend to-morrow ; Thames, 90s ; Tokateas, ss. The total amount of gold from the Thames was 34,600 ounces. The Alburnia completed their fortnight's crushing to-day, the result being 989 ounces. Hokitika, Wednesday. The County Council opened its session to-day. The Chairman's address represents the financial position of the county as healthy, and eulogises the General Government for the consideration shown to this district.