BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3330, 22 October 1873, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Hokitika, October 22. The Alhambra arrived at 2 a.m., haying left Melbourne on the 16th inst. She brings eleven saloon and thirty steerage passengers for all ports. Sailed for,, the North at eleven. Melbourne, October 16. The Land Bill has passed its third reading. It increases selection to 640 a and provides for improvements at ten shillings per acre. Dummyism prevails over a large extent of country. A number of squatters have been condemned to forfeiture of their licon«ss ju consequence. The Kailway Extension Bill is in Committee. It is proposed to encircle Melbourne by railway. Tailors, boilermakers, and carpenters are op stride. The Legislative Council rejected the Savings Banks Amalgamation Bill. Sir C. G. Duffy is much condemned for nominating his son to his seat for Dalhousie through the intervention of the priesthood, The English Opera has closed, after a brilliant season. Madanjo Goddard, Bishop Goold, Signor Susmi, and the Kev. Dean Moore loft for I ndia by the mail steamer. The patent fuel has been tried for engines, when they were enabled to bo worked at a pressure of sixty-two pounds to the inch. The prorogation is expected almost immediately after the Railway Bill is disposed of. 'I he Government declines subsidising the Cable Company on the terms proposed. The Aye, advocates ascertaining what subsidy the contractors for the hi ormautown and Singapore cable will take for minimum five-pound messages. Mr Samuel, in a despatch to Mr Parker, says that the steamer Macgregor, of 320 horse-power, has been ordered here from China, and takes the first Californian mail. The steamers Tartar and Mongol have also been chartered for the temporary service. He further says that he and Mr Russell have rearranged the terms of the conti act, and increased the security to L‘25,000. The new contract is for L 60.000 for a ten-knot service, or L 75.000 for eleven knots, with L2 an hour penalty it less, and a premium if more. The alteration ip the Californian Service is only as regards temporary arrangements. The permanent line will be according to arrangement ratified by the New Zealand Parliament, The Assembly has passed a resolution for an address to the Governor, asking for an annuity to Dr Lang in recognition of his public services. Mr Parker was asked by a deputation to request the Home Government to annex Fiji, and agreed to do so. The samples of grita (?) coal are pronounced to be of very superior quality. The Newspaper Postage Abolition Bill has passed. 1 he debate on the postal contract has been adjourned,

A private Californian telegram states that no grab has been shipped to Australia, bat the Atalanta’s cargo. Woel is very firm, Adelaide. A quarter of a million lean is projected for railways. The revenue from the overland telegraph line for the year is L 17.000. Five hundred tons of breadstuff's have been shipped. Hobart Town. The Government decline to join in the cable subsidy without the Adelaide Government do so. The Inc me Tax Bill passed the Assembly.

UNPUBLISHED.

Melbourne, October 16. The Sydney horses here are going well. Lapidist is first favorite for the Derby, at 5 to 1 ; Horatio, for the Cup, 5 to 1. L 692 was collected for Captain Rouse's family. Adelaide. Four thousand bushels of wheat sold at 6s 4d. Sydney. The debate on the resolutions approving of the Government action re Ocean Mail Service is unfinished. A majority of the Assembly favor the present contract. The Catholic Synod was opened by Archbishop Golding, and sixty priests were present.

PRIVATE TELEGRAM.

An influential deputation to the Government urged the annexation of Fiji. The Governor telegraphed to England explaining the position, and recommending annexation. A San Francisco telegram of the 11th advises further shipments of breadstuff* to the Colonies. A French' transport with fiOO wives and children of the Communist prisoners, has arrived at the Heads. The news from the new diggings in Queensland is discouraging. The Rosario remains, waiting.Home despatches re Fiji. Melbourne. Preparations are making for the rifle contest. A verdict of wilful murder baa been returned on the body of another infant found. The Inebriates’ Homs is finished. The tailors and bootmakers have struck. Brisbane. The Parame, from Manilla, sugar-laden, was wrecked at Hercus Bay. Hawley and Kennedy’s store at Oymple was robbed of LIOO. Explorations at Cardwell have discovered good laud for sugar growing on the bank of the river Johnston, and also various new descriptions of plants. Alexandra (Waikato), October 21. A large Native meeting was held at Te Kuiti to-day, to formally open Tawhiao’s new house. Te Kooti is reported to be still remaining at Kopua, but this is very doubtfnL Christchurch, October 21. The land sales ef the Province for the quarter ending September 30 amounted to L 126,384. The balance to the credit of tho Province on that date was L 402.015. Sir J. Cracroft Wilson, M.H.R. for Heathcote, addressed his constituents last night. There were sixty persons present, In reviewing tho past session of the Assembly, Sir Cracroit W«Lon said there was a sad falling off in the personnel of the Legislature, and that so long as it was made up of its |)resent element, log-rolling and intrigues would bo regularly organised. A vote of thanks for his address was accorded him. Wellington, October 21. Tho General Government art preparing plans for large buildings to be erected in front of the present pile and facing the street, the cost to be LI4/00. The Provincial Government, it is understood, intend to make an offer to the General Government of a free site upon the proposed reclamation. Tho offer is to be submitted to the Government to-morrow, instead of the contemplated site. The Customs Department has ascertained that certain mercantile firms in Australia are supplying their New Zealand customers with duplicate invoices fur the purpose of defrauding the revenue. It is intended, whenever such a ease is discovered, to send a circular to the various collectors, with instructions that all goods coming from the said firms are to be subjected to a rigorous examination, and the Government will prosecute with the utmost rigor of the law all infractions of the Tariff Act. The City Council contemplate erecting a new hall. The Provincial Council will meet for the despatch of business on November 5, to render possible the legal expenditure of the L 175,000 now available. October 22. The Government has purchased Dr Johnston’s residence in Molesworth street as a Premier’s residence —price, L 2,350. The Provincial Government is going to establish telegraphic comipugication with the Heads. Messrs Halse and Hunt represent Wellington at the Victorian rifle contest. The first made 13S, and the latter 133 points. Auckland, October 21, A meeting was held to-day to arrange the giving of a ball to tUe Governor on his arrival, Mr Saunders report buyers of shares as follows South British Insurance, L 3 ; National Bank of New Zealand, L2 7* 6d ; Moanataieri, L2. He reports sellers of shares as follows :—Bank of New Zealand, Ll6 ; National Bank, L2 8s 6d ; South British Insurance, L2 6s ; Tokatea, LI 10s. October 22. Mr Gillies addressed his constituents last night. He condemned the general attitude of the Government during the session, and eulogised the Legislative Council. Napibr, October 21. Four tenders at least will be sent in for the construction of the Waipnkurau Railway —two of them by Auckland men. Nelson, October 22. Mr Curtis met the Cir.y electors last night, and gave a I'csumr of the session.