AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2146, 11 January 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

("By Tblkgbaph.] [Via Russell.] SYDNEY, January 6. There has been a mysterious absence of Mr Dalton, magistrate at Forbes, from his duties. It is six weeks since he sat on the bench, and nothing been heard of him. Ministers have ordered a further search. . Near Goulburn, at Mount Werong diggings, a small diamond has been found of one half oairat weight, valued at 50s. Several sapphires were also found by finder, who was formerly on the Cape Diamond fields. MELBOURNE, January 6, A free pardon is offered to any accomplice in the Tararua gold robbery who will give such information as will lead to the conviction of the principal offender. The Government have decided to take proceedings to recover the duty on estates undervalued. It is expected that the jurors’ award in re exhibition, will be made in the third week in January. Two young ruffians, recently acquitted by a jury for assaults and robbery of a Chinaman,'have been ro-arrested for an offence of a similar nature. Returns show that the quantity of wool offered last season were 146,902 bales, of which 108,963 were sold, closely approximating to the quantity of the previous year. The shipments show an increase of 36,665 bales, total 240,664, against 204,009 bales of last season, and there has never been anything compared to the present wool show, for excellent experts find it difficult to determine the winner of some. Tasmanian wools are much admired and will take high stand. ADELAIDE, January 6. On Thursday last a fire occurred at a farm near Franklin harbor. Mrs McCarthy, five daughters, and a son, were burnt to death. No aesistance could be rendered, as the house was surrounded by a dense scrub. The father was engaged at reaping, and tried to get; homo, but was driven back. He said the flames were at times 40ft. high, and as they swept down they appeared to roll over a place where there was nothing to burn. When McCarthy was enabled to return to the house he found nothing but the remains of the family. Bliss and Co., a New York firm, offered to supply Government with 75 bushels of Defiance wheat, which are alleged to be rust proof, at 4dols. a bushel. The samples of Defiance grown hero are showing bad signs of rust. The Commissioner of Crown Lands asked the opinion of practical farmers before buying from America. BRISBANE, January 5. The captain and officers of the French war ship Des Trees,were entertained by the Mayor of Cooktown. The captain said he would protect and assist vessels of other nations on the coast of New Guinea if necessary. An experienced trader, Captain Johnson, acoompanies him as pilot, and is thoroughly acquainted with the Louitiade Archipelago, knows the ringleaders of Brooker Island pirates, and hopes the visit will thoroughly destroy the piratical nest reported. The Dalby Qoondiwindi mail was stuck up near Woondwool on Thursday by a highwayman, who took the mails and two horses to Dundee. Manchester left Bungeworgarie on Saturday, and the police inspector accompanies him on his western tour. They go to Mitchell Downs, Barendo, Pambo, and Blacknll.