ARRIVAL OF THE JAMES PATERSON.'

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 320, 18 January 1871, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE JAMES PATERSON.'

SYDNEY,

January 11.—All the members of the Martin-cum-Bobertson Ministry have been reelected, and Parliament is to reassemble on the 24th instant. —Mr. Lucas has been returned for Canterbury, and Mr. John Stewart for Kiama.—The works in connexion with the harbour defence are being energetically proceeded with, and the G-overnment are determined to make the port secure against any ordinary attack. A. special meeting of the Executive was held on the 3rd, after which they went down the harbour to inspect the site of the proposed fortifications. —The firßt-class match of the Prince Alfred Yacht Club was won by Pomona, Australian being a good second. —A. letter from Careoar states that the recent rains and cold have killed 30,000 sheep in that district. —The Government have called for lenders for the construction of 100 torpedo cases, and LieutenantColonel Kichardson (the commander of the Volunteer Force) invites persons willing to enlist in a colonial military force to register their names at the Brigade Office. —The .Rev. W. F. X. Bailey ha 3 been committed for trial for marrying a girl of sixteen years'^ of age to a man called Turner, without the consent of the girl's mother. — On the 9th, Sir James Martin and a portion of the Defence Commission marked out the positions of the pits and traverses for the two sixty-tight-pounders to be placed on Shark Point; and for the redan at Bradley's Head. This completes the batteries-comprised in the outer lino of defence. We understand that the manufacture of the booms is being proceeded with simultaneously with the excavation of the pits and traverses, together with the making of the roads connecting the batteries on the northern side 'of the harbour, 'iho tenders of Mr. J. it. Bubb and of Messrs. Vale and Lacey have been accepted for the construction of fifty torpedo cases, and the G-overnuient are in treaty for the manufacture of a like number by other firms.