AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 4187, 28 July 1876, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

{From our Exchanges.) The Education Amendment Bill, to bring into operation the compulsory clauses, is being considered in the Assembly. The fintincial debate will take place next week. No special interest attaches to the Statement, as no fresh taxation proposals will be announced. A letter fro** England announces the present to be the best tinle for the Colonies to obtain money. Australian securities are in demand, while for some money only \\ to 2 per cent, is obtained. The cold sear on is very disastrous to squatters. Two million sheep died in Biveiina from want of grass. The lambing has been poor—only a very small percentage were saved. This, with the immense fall in the price of wool, will be severely felt in the Colonies.

The Altcar, which last year was in New Zealand, made over 140 days' passage Home, no doubt owing to foul bottom. Fifty guineas premium on her was asked and paid. Tobaccos are in good demand. Timber is advancing ) wheat, 6s Id; currants also much higher, 5Jd paid. The Lincolnshire, which has arrived from Lendon with passengers and cargo, had the monotony of the voyage varied by a series of incidents, inclusive of two deaths and a birth. On June 1, Mr Nottingham, one of the fore-cabin passengers, met with a sad fate. On proceeding along the deck his feet slipped, and he fell with great force, his head coming in violent contact with one of the spars on deck. On the following day he expired, without ever having recovered consciousness. Mr Nottingham was on his way to Christchurch, N.Z., to take the position of organist in the cathedral church there. To add to the distressing nature of the event, Mr Nottingham had his wife and family of seven chi'dren on board with him.