BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 2885, 18 May 1872, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(FROM GKEVILLE’s TELEGRAM COMPANY* REUTER’S AGENTS.)

Hokitika, May 17. The markets are unchanged. Trade is dull.

The s.s. Alhambra arrived here at ten o’clock this forenoon. She left Port Phillip Heads at (5 p.m. on the 11th. She brings 200 tons of cat-go for all ports, and twentyone passengers.

Melbourne, May 11. The debate on the Reply to the Governor’s Speech on the opening of Parliament is still being continued. Charges of abuse of patronage have been superadded to that of tbe omission of mention of educati nal measures in tbe Speech ; and these form the chief grounds of complaint against the Ministry. The arrangement entered into by Mr Duffy and Mr Vogel, with regard to a postal service to Sail Francisco, via New Zealand, is warmly condemned by the Press as being unfavorable and unfair to Victoria, which is not made the terminus. The matter will probably be brought forward in Parliament, as a specific charge against the Go vernment. The Rev, Mr luglis, before the Presbyterian Church Assembly, pleaded guilty to a chai’ge of plagiarising a lecture delivered by him some time ago. and expressed contrition for his conduct. He was publicly rebuked from the Moderator’s chair, several dissentients being in favor of his being suspended for three mouths

A Permissive Bill has been introduced into Parliament.

Arrived.— Hero, s.s., from Auckland ; Ceres, brigantine, from Grey month. Sailed.—Kate Conley, and Gleaner, for Greymouth ; Prosperity, for Hokitika. The breadstuff's market is unaltered, but it is believed that it will be less firm shortly. Feeding grain is quiet, and the demand is not great. It is generally believed that the division in Parliament on the amendment on the reply to the Governor's speech, will be very c ose either way, but that the Ministry will be defeated. They threaten, if that is the case, to ask for a dissolution.

Mr Gordon, ’.he Government hydraulic engineer, has arrived, and has taken charge of the Coliban Water .'supply works. Willde, who was convicted of the murder ofl at Da;. lesford, is to he executed on the 2d!.h. The other convict?, condemned to death for various criims. have had their sentences commuted to terms of penal servitude. Cook and Pcbolcreaux, ho ; h mere lads, who stuck up and robbed a carrier at Benalla, have been apprehended aud have confessed their crime.

A nugget weighing 42 lbs 8 ozs, has been found at Dunollv.

Sales of Tookeys have taken place at a price withheld ; Lt> 15s is offered.

Sydney. The ship Alice Cameron, bound for China, was dismasted off the Queensland coast, aud returned to port under jury masts. Two sailors quarrelled in a house at Newcastle, and went out to tight, when one stabbed the other fatally. Four miners were blown out to sea in a boat from Newcastle. Three of them were picked up, but the fourth was drowned. Mr M‘Evoy, paymaster of H.M.S. Blanche, died of epilepsy. The Ministerial difficulties continue._ Mr Forster, being unable to form a Ministry, has abandoned the task, aud Mr Parkes has undertaken it. The Paxton Company, Tambaroora, has been floated with a capital of L 160,000. Foster, the bushranger, who was shot while engaged in a burglary, has died of his wounds. The markets generally are firm, and prices remain unchanged. Newcastle. Arrived.—Eleanor, from Port Chalmers. Sailed. —Centaur, for Lyttletou ; P.C.E. and Hercules, for Auckland. Adelaide. The Lucy has left with a gold prospecting party for the Northern Territory. The Omeo left for Port Darwin in the beginning of June, On the arrival of the ship City of Dublin, from Loudon, it was found that one of the sailors, named Everett, had killed another seaman on the voyage. He has been committed for trial. Messrs Barron, Ward, and Derrington, newspaper proprietors and members of Parliament, are alleged to have forfeited their seats by accepting contracts from the Government in the shape of advertisements Probably a friendly suit will be instituted to test the issue.

The Chamber of Commerce has passed a Vote in favor of the construction of the proposed transcontinental railway. The propriety of leasing the public lands at a quit rent is under consideration.

Christchurch, May 17th, The Provincial Council has unanimously passed a resolution, requesting the General Government to take earnest steps for the defence of the seaboard of Canterbury.

A company is being formed to bring the line of railway into the centre of the city, the railway station at the present time being three-quarters of a mile distant from the city. The grain market is unaltered. Mr Karslake’s resignation of his seat for Coleridge in the house of representatives, is published in the Gazette. Mr G. Hart and Mr J. Jebson, both Government supporters, have issued addresses to the electors, announcing their intention to contest the vacancy. Mr Craeroft Wilson, C.8., an opponent of the Government, and the Rev. W. J. G. Bluett, a Government supporter, are also spoken of as candidates. A 24th of an acre in Lichfield street sold for L7OO, or the rate of LI 6,000 an acre, Bi.ui’j-’, May 18. The Tararua will not sail for Melbourne until Monday afternoon. Roxburgh, May 18. The sale of the 1900 acre block at Moa Flat, took place yesterday. Mr Kitching, M r Clarke’s manager, bought all but three sections. One of the latter was bought by a settler named M'Kenzie, at L 4 an acre. The total sum realised by the sale was L 3.145 4s. having an average of 33s an acre. A strong feeling of approval was manifested

by the public when the section was knocked down to Mr M'Keuzie. Queenstown, May 18. Mr G. B. Barton threatens to bring an action for LIOOO damages for libel against the Wakatip Mail, for its last leading article. The public rally around the journal. Nelson', May 17. Mr Saunders addressed the electors last night. He condemned the borrowing and expenditure of the Colony, and declared that strict economy instead of borrowing should have been practised after the war. He censured Mr Vogel, and praised Messrs Fox and M‘Lean He opposed the views of | the Ministry generally, and adopted Mr Richmond's views. A vote of thanks to the candidate was carried, Wellington', May 16. The has reimburssd the England’s passengers for clothes, <!tc., burnt in quarantine. The report of the commiss’ou of enquiry re the ship England is completed. It censures Shaw, Saville, and Co. for insufficient light and ventilation ; states that the medical comforts were insufficient; and that the medical inspection was loosely conducted. The evidence shows that small-pox originated early. Captain Harrington is praised for his generosity to the passengers. The doctor was subject to epileptic fits and a defective memory, forgetting even the previous day’s treatment and sex of patient. On January 15th the passengers declined the doctor’s treatment. The Independent reviews the speeches of the Superintendents on opening Provincial Councils. It says no combination for the purpose of increasing Provincial powers is likely to succeed. Auckland, May 16, Patrick Murphy, while pigeon-shooting at the Wairoa, accidentally shot a boy named Gear, the back of his skull being completely blown off. The Superintendent has received another 1 letter from the Taupo Natives, inviting prospecting. 1 The emshings for the month are—77B7 tons, yielding 10,050 ozs.