AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 4244, 3 October 1876, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Otago at Holcitika.) Melbourne, September 26. The Government have concluded negotiations for a Cape Service, subject to ratification by Parliament. The sentence passed on Ellen Francis for the Emerald Hill murder has been commuted to twenty-one years' imprisonment. The barque Elmgrove, with Captain Leddra and ten men, while on her way from Newcastle to Adelaide was totally wrecked on Rabbit Island. Leddra states that when the Elmgrove went ashore, the crew took to the rigging and were washed off or crushed to death. Leddra and a man named Hoyle got on a plank and were washed ashore, where they lived on limpets and crabs. They were reduced to the last extremity when rescued. The beach was strewn with wreckage, but only two bodies were found, and it is supposed the others have been sanded up. The Elmgrove was insured for L 2,200 in the Mercantue Marine Company. During the gale the schooner Carlman lost two men and her deck-house. The inquiry into the loss of the Dandenong concluded on the 27th. The Board reserves its decision.

The steamer St. Osyth left London on the 19th.

Bkisbane, September 26. The Wentworth shipped 12,0000z. of gold at Cooktown and ll.OOOoz. at Townsvills. The Chinese refuse to consent to the Goldfields Amendment Bill, and they petition the Emperor of China calling attention to the breach of the treaty by England. Newcastle, September 26. Captain Farless, of the barque King Oscar, reports passing the body of a female off Derwis Bay dressed in dark clothes. Seagulls had settled on it, and had eaten the face away. The weather being bad he did not pick up the body.