BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3135, 7 March 1873, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

[From the New Zealand Press Association.) Bluff, March 7 The Alhambra left Melbourne on the Ist inst., and arrived here at 7.30 a. m. to-day. She sails for i'unedin to-night. Passenger List,—For Dunedin : Rev. J. and Master Patten, Messrs Corrigan, Trestraill, Ridley, Mrs Spedding, Mrs Martin and family (5). CABLEGRAMS. Lon i on, February 19. The price of wools is lower since the opening of the sales. Twenty-five thousand bales were sold, and 1,000 withdrawn —chiefly Victorian greasy sort. Buyers operate cautiously. Mi* Hclmuth Sehwartze, wool broker, reports that that result of the sales is more unfavorable than was expected. Australian washed and scoured, I.Jd to 2d lower than December closing rates ; greasy sorts, 2d to 4d b low prices obtained last February. Despatches addressed to the Governor of New South Wales, on the Fijian question, have been presented to Parliament; also, copy of instructions sent to the naval officers commanding Her Majesty’s ships in Polynesia. The memorial sent Home in 1870, for the annexation of Fiji to Great Britain, has been refused, because a de facto Government has been recognised. February 20. Yesterday, coals declined 3s to 4s per ton ; in South Durham they advanced 2s 6d to 3s A movement lias been commenced between Blackburn and Lancashire to close the mills in consequence of the dearness and scarcity of fuel. February 21. The Queen visited the Empress Eugenie to-day. The s.s. Northumberland leaves London Docks for Melbourne to-morrow. The estimated decrease in the army expenditure is L 408,100. A Russian loan of twenty millions is likely to be shortly announced. February 22. The American Senate refused to grant a subsidy to Webb’s Californian line. In a stirring article oh the dearth of labor in the Australian Colonies, the Times exhorts working men to go where prosperity awaits them. The Exhibition Commissioners propose an arrangement of the Australian annexe, at the cost of L 2,500 (?), each Colony contributing according to its revenue. The use of the Belgium annexe is granted this year. Sir Charles Cowper, Agent General for New South Wales, has deposited with the Co'onial office a protest, sent Horae by the Sydney delegates, against the decision of the Conference making Melbourne the terminus of the Suez mail service.

Mr Cardwell, in the House of Commons, introduced the Army Estimates. He intimated in his speech, that the 14th section of the Mutiny Act would be expunged, and was proposed, that the soldiers of the British Army receive, as their pay, a clear shilling a-day, besides rations. Mr Gladstone, in reply to a question, stated that the Affghan boundary had been defined according to the means and the information available, and added, that the whole matter had been freed from practical difficulty, since the Oxus had made the boundary clear. A thoroughly accurate survey was impracticable. Negotiations respecting the collieries in Wales have failed, and the strike still continues. The wool sales have been marked with considerable languor, and prices continue to recede. Three postponements have taken place. New Zealand Consolidated Fives, 103f. TaUow and mutton, L4O to L 45 ; beef, L 39 to L 42. Australian supplies are falling 300 bales of New Zealand hemp were sold at L3l. The wheat market is quiet ; Californian wheat, 635. Arrived —Adelaide. February 26. The wool market assumed a better tone yesterday. Frencfl buyers were operating freely, but prices were unchanged. Exports to Australia during 1872, exceeded those of 1871 by L 4,000,000 The Government are taking measures to restore to their homes the kidnapped sur; vivors of the brig Carl. The right to search has been retained over vessels carrying the Fijian flag. Mr Hodges, the artist, is painting a testimonial portrait of Governor Fergusson for the Adelaide University. The Times states that the stock of grain and flour in London is materially diminishing. Obituary.—Rev. Dr. Guthrie. February 27. The press is criticising A Afghanistan’s boundaries, because the Oxus intersects Badakshan and Waphan, which have been assigned by the Ameer of Affghanistan. Switzerland has recognised the Spanish Republic. Portugal is quiet. Italy and A ustria, and probably the majority of the European powers, will maintain relations with Spain until a regular Government is constituted. Madrid is quiet, and King Amadeus remains at Lisbon. Pauls, February 19. The Committee of Thirty adopted M. Dufaure’s proposal, that the Assembly, before the dissolution takes place, should legislate on the question of transmission of the Executive power, and also the creation of a Second Chamber. The Conservatives intend to demand a dissolution. February 21. A rupture has taken place between the Right and Right Centre parties, in consequence of the vote arrived at on the report of the Committee of Thirty. The two Centres have now coalesced, giving Thiers a stable majority. The statement that the fifth milliard of the German war indemnity was to be paid in July, is incorrect. Negotiations, however, are pending, which it is expected will result in its payment in September or November next. The Spanish War Minister has asked for a credit vote for the arming of the people. The Time* says Federalist view's are everywhere predominant in the Spanish Provinces. Apprehensions are felt of a revolution in Portugal, anfl an English fleet has been ordered to the Tagus. 1 1

February 22. Great bitterness exists between the Legitimist and the Orleanist parties. The Due de Broglie read to the Assembly a report from the Committee of Thirty, advocating the joint Ministerial and Presidential respoiisibil ty, also eulogising M. Thio r s’s administration of power, and advising the create on of a Second Chamber, as a counterpoise to the demagogue spirit ; and in conclusion, urging conciliation and the brin ing about of the required changes. A complete understanding between M. Thiers and the Committee of i birty, resulted from the adoption of M. Dnfaure’s proposal. February 24. Bishop Dupanloup advised Count Chambord to compromise with the Orleanists, but the Count refused. The Legitimists accuse the Due de Broglie andtheDuc D’Audiffret I'asqu : erof treachery. A severe contest is expected in the Assembly on the Committee’s resolution. Madrid, February 19. The Cortes has been convoked as the Constituent Assembly. February 22. No European power has yet recognised the Spanish Republic, and it is stated that several Governments are arranging for joint action on the question. The release of the steamer Murillo by the Spanish authorities is contradicted. February 24. A Ministerial crisis has taken place at Madrid. The Cabinet of -enor Zorilla has resigned, and the formation of a homogenous Republican Ministry is expected. Symptoms of insubordination have appeared in the Spanish Army. The Cariists are masters of Catalonia, and have destroyed the railway between Bilbas and Merando, An outbreak has taken place at Porto Rico. The Cortes passed a Bill calling out the reserves. February 25. There is great agitation at Madrid i armed Federalists occupy several points, and it is feared that resort will be had to violence. The troops and militia support the G ivernment. A new Ministry has been elected at Lisbon. Washington, February 25. Congress passed the Fisheries Bill, in conformity with the Treaty of Washington. Melbourne, March 1. The Governor held a farewell levee, and leaves for England to-day. The new Governor is expected early next month. Mr Michie, Q.C., has been appointed Agent-General, and resigns his seat for the Central Province. Several candidates are mentioned. It is stated that Judge Fellows has been offered a judgeship of the Court of Appeal in England, and there is some truth in the statement. He has not yet decided on accepting it. Captain Gilbee has been dismissed the Volunteer force. The proceedings of the Board enquiry showed his statement, that he was not in the house of the woman Britton, was untrue. Samuel Wright, for attempted murder at Sandhurst, has been sentenced to be executed on the 11th of the month. A testimonial of LOT) has been presented to Dr Tracy on visiting England. H.M.S. Clio has proceeded to Sydney. Mr Montgomery has been elected for Grenville by 60 majority. The miners’ strike at Stawell has been partially settled. Very hot weather has been experienced, with heavy rains. Messrs Vogel and Reynolds remain in Sydney. The negotiation for the subsidy to the Webb line has closed, but is likely to be rc-opened now the American Senate has refused a subsidy. Sydney will probably treat with New Zealand for a new Californian service. Heavy floods have occurred at Sydney, Traffic on the Southern railway was stopped, and the streets inundated ; fifteen inches of rain fell in forty-eight hours, which was unprecedented, 'I he Assembly passed the Council Reform Bill. The Hero encountered a heavy storm on the voyage from Melbourne to Sydney. The passengers presented Captain Logan with a pur-e of sovereigns. Adelaide, Seven hundred and seventy-five thousand acres are under cultivation, and the yield is expected to average twelve bushels of wheat to the acre. A surplus for export of 160,000 to 170,000 tons is anticipated. Shipping —Melbourne : Arrived, 27th, Annie Beaton, from Riverton. Newcastle : Arrived, 21st, Briton, from Auckland, Ben Nevis, from Lyttelton ; 22nd, Catherine and Jane, from Lyttelton, P.C.E., from Dunedin ; 26th, Pet, from Lyttelton, Thomas and Henry, from Dunedin, Wave, from Oamaru. Sailed, 24th, Albion, for Auckland, William Ackers, for Dun&diu ; 27th, Lalla Rookh and hmily, for Lyttelton. [We think the sender of the message is in error. The Thomas and Henry and P. <’.E. are advised as having sailed for Dunedin on the dates mentioned. —Ed. E.S ] Commercial. The wheat market in Adelaide suffered a slight collapse, but sales are now made at 4s 9d, Wheat is very scarce in Melbourne ; sales are made at 5s 7d for good sorts. Sugars show an advance of from 10s to 15s a too, and are firm. Oats, 3d. Candles are selling freely at Is in trade parcels. Kerosene receding; la 9d ia asked.

LATEST UNPUBLISHED. Melbourne, March 1, 2 p m. The steamships Somersetshire and Atrato, from Plymouth, arrived this morning with a large number of passengers. The Atrato brings over 400 Government immigrants. Governor Canterbury left late this afternoon in the mail steamer Mooltan, for England, accompanied by his family. He was escorted to Sandvidge by the cavalry, and received by q guard of honor. Tfle members of the Ministry and others proceeded with the Governor in the steamer George Rennie to the Mooltan. A large crpwti wit : nessed the embarkation, and some enthusiasm was showm. The Mooltan was crowded with passengers, including Mr Michie, Agent-General; Mr C. E. Bright, the Governor’s son-in-law ; Mr Higgius, the contractor ; Mr Levey, Secretary of the Exhibition Commissioners ; and others. As the steamer arrived from Sydney late, her departure was postponed for three hours The Atrato made a twenty-four days’ run from the Cape, and is quarantined for fever. Lawrence, March 7. The man Trevor, heir to an estate in Jreland worth L 1,500 a year, who has been advertised for for the last eighteen mouths, arrived in Lawrence last night, and proceeded this morning to Dunedin, en route to Ireland He has been shearing under the name of Edward Lloyd during the recent season in Southland.