ARRIVAL OF THE SUEZ MAIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1407, 19 August 1878, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE SUEZ MAIL.

[By Telegraph.] [Per Arawata via Bluff.] Melbourne, August 14. The Reform debate still continues, and is likely to continue till the end of next week. The question is losing its interest, most of the debaters in the House having spoken. The Council is still engaged on its Constitution Reform Bill, which has nearly passed through the House. The new loan is to be floated by the Banks in the usual way, not by the delegates, who go home with the Reform Bill, as first intended. Morgan, the Chief Secretary of South Australia, and Burns of New South Wales are now here, and will consider the postal matters in addition to finally settling cable mutters. Berry has some idea that postal subsidies are not necessary, and that the colony should trust to'any of the steamers for mails not expected. This will be tried. Mining is improving. An important fact has been discovered, in a gold bearing reef 1340 ft. deep in the Prince Patrick mine, which it is said yields three ounces to the ton. The steamer Somersetshire arrived last night. Amongst the passengers are Dr. Ry.m, who gained such fame at Plevna, and Slade, the spiritist and writing medium. Much building* is going on—there are five largo ones in Collin's street alone.

A contract of over fifteen thousand is taken for fifty miles of railway between Ueelong and QueenolilT. Tenders will soon be accepted for the G-oulburn Valley line and the Oakltigh line. Business is dull. There have been soveral recent failures hero and in Sydney.

At the sale of draught stock yesterday after the horse show, some purchases were made on New Zealand account. The Farmer's Fancy brought the second price. I> was bought for the New Zealand Land Company for 530 guineas. McKellar secured Prince Bismarck for 490 guineas, Tremain 300. Jerran's bought Young Clyde for36s;guincas. Tho Assembly decided to abolish the wattle bark duly.

Advices from New Q-uir.ea state that those who have gone there are in groat destitution and misery. No gold i 3 yot found. Tho natives generally are friendly, and willing to afford assistance, but many whites are guilty of the most disgraceful acts towards tho native women. The captain of the Sappho investigated several cases. Ho says New Guinea is quite unfit, for tho habitation of white men, and that it is quite impossible that gold digging can be carried on there. Many have returned to Cooktown all well, while many remain Buffering.