AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 643, 23 May 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Mblbouene, May 16. The agricultural statistics for the year r ending March, show a material falling off in cultivation as compared to last corresponding year. The decrease in the; quantity of land under tillage is to the extent of 184,000 acres, of which 56,260 was land previously sown with wheat, showing a decrease of 1,013,346 bushels. Oats show an increase of 1,258,061 bushels. Other increases are maize, peas, beans, potatoes, and hops. There is • a decrease in hay, barley, tobacco, and. grapes. The average yield of wheat per acre was 9.45 bushels, against 9.95 last year ; but the average yield of oats is 24.57 bushels, against 17.62 in the previous year. The hay crop is a very poor one, lower than any of the past eleven years. The steamer Te An an arrived at the wharf at mid-night on Friday, after a very stormy passage. On the night of the 27ih the barometer fell as low as 28'76. The wind suddenly shifted to the south-west for forty-eight hours, and blew with hurricane force, a terrific sea making clean broaches over the vessel, at times threatenining to sweep all before them. Early on Monday an immense body of water broke over the engine-house, but but fortuna ! oly not sufficient to put out the fires or cause material damage. One of the boats was lifted bodily out of. the chocks, notwithstanding its being doubly./ lashed. Captain Carey states in his esr perience of twenty-eight ye irs he .never met such a tremendous gale or more ’ dangerous seas. Before arriving at Hobart, the saloon passengers, as a mark of appreciation, presented tue captain with:; a purse containing a handsome sura ofmoney, and a smaller purse to Messrs Russell and McOraig, for their ableefforts. A child five years old at Carlton is reported to bo suffering from smallpox!’' It has been isolated, but some doubts are expressed whether it is chicken or smallpox. Syoney, May 16. The missionary schooner John Williams reports that good progress is being. ; made at all the mission stations in New Guinea. The weather is fine and dry, and rain much wanted throughout the country.