BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2200, 26 May 1870, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(from our own correspondents.)

Hokitika, May 25. The s.s. Gothenburg, from Melbourne, arrived here this morning.

Melbourne, May 19

The debate on tho Budget commenced on Tuesday. The estimated revenue for the ensuing year is L 3,551,616, and the estimated expenditure L 3,459,528, leaving a surplus of L 92,088. The Budget was favorably received. The expenditure for public works is greatly curtailed, being LI 10 (1) less than Mr Graham Berry’s estimate. Tho Census Bill has been read a second time, and has passed through committee.

It is rumo.ied that Mr W. J. T. Clarke intends to resign his seat in the Legislative Council.

The Government offer Messrs Styles, Evans, and Dwyer, the lowest tenderers for sections A, B, and D, the option of undertaking the railway works for L 305,000. Mr Donovan lias abandoned his tender for section C.

The deposits in the Savings Banks during the past year amounted to L 233,412.

Severe floods have taken place in Gipps Land, and much property lias been destroyed. The miners’ claims were inundated, and two minors drowned.

Three notorious characters, named Duncan, Wutson, and Baxter, have been found guilty of burglary on the premises of Mr Anderson, jeweller. They have been remanded for sentence.

Herr Von Gudrard, the well-known artist, has received the Order of Francis Joseph from the Emperor of Austria,

Donald Cameron, an old resident at Smythesdale, has murdered his wife by cutting her throat.

The merchants and others interested in the grain trade, have resolved to hold a public meeting to recognise the cental system, which is to be brought into operation on the Ist of January next.

The Hayward Testimonial Fund has reached LI 00.

On Tuesday last, Mr G. H. Supple, barrister and journalist, met Mr George Paton Smith, M.L.A., in Latrobe street, on which ho drew a revolver from his pocket, and fired four shots at Mr Smith. Only one shot took effect, striking Mr Smith on the elbow. Mr Smith ran away, crying out “ Save me!” A man named Walshe, who was formerly a detective, but who is now a publican, seized Mr Supple, held him, and knocked him down, on which the latter fired at him, and the bullet entered his abdomen. Walshe was conveyed to the Hospital, where he gradually sank, and died on the afternoon of the following day. Mr Smith is still confined to bed. Mr Supple is in custody. He states that he regrets shooting Walshe, but that he wished to kill Mr Smith,

Tho Melbourne Banking Companyhave declared a dividend of 8 per cent. Arrived.—H.M.S. Challenger, from Wellington, on the 14th ; Eangitoto, from Hokitika, on tho l?ih. Commercial. Breadstnlls remain without change. Flour has been quitted in trade lots at LI I 5s to Lll 10s. Wheat is at 4s 9d to 4s lid, maize at 4s 7d to 4s lOd, and oats at os -3d. Barley is in fair request at 4s Od for malting sorts, and os fop Capo, Sugar* are dull. There have been no transactions in wool. Sheepskins command full rates, and there is a ready sale for green skins at 4s.

SVD.VEV. The floods still continue. Wagga Wagga has been again submerged. Five thousand acres of land under crop in the Hunter district have been destroyed. In tlje southern disrupts the floods are how subsiding. At Maitland all the public buildings are inhabited by flooded-out families. The Challenger has received orders to proceed to England in August next. The prize light between Hick?n and Carstairs took place, but as the principals were arrested, the battle was declared drawn, Topley lias been matched to walk fourteen miles in two hours. A private letter received in Sydney states that the Galatea will refit there, after which she will visit New Zealand, T'eturning home next year by the Capo of Good Hope. She is expected to arrive nfc Sydney fit the end of June. The Banks have raised the rate of exchange on London to premium. Maize is at 4s. Quotations for tobacco hpivo been reduced. Adelaide. Tho new Government promise a liberal Land Bill, a line of telegraph to Port Darwin, and new Insolvency and Education Bills. The Church of England Synod has

been opened. The Bishop, in his opening address, condemned Ritualism. Wheat is at 5s 3ld.