AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2151, 17 January 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tblegeaph.J P?or s.s. Eingarooma, at the Bluff.] MELBOUENE, January 11. Nothing is stirring in the political world. Tho delegates are about to start. The Sydney Governor is absent on a shooting expedition at the Gippsland Lakes. The jurors in the wool exhibition had a great difficulty in deciding upon the awards, and much disappointment was consequently expressed by visitors at the delay. The decisions, however, have given general satisfaction. No first prize was given for long wools, and tho Press generally agree that the most sanguine expectations regarding the quality was more than realised. The following was the general results: Victoria has taken twenty first, thirteen second, and six thirds; South Australia, five firsts and one second; Tasmania, two firsts, three seconds, and two thirds ; New Zealand, two firsts, one second and one third ; Silesia, one first j New South Wales, two seconds and one third ; Queensland, three seconds. The Melbourne Chamber of Commerce have addressed the Government requesting the delegates to take steps to secure the co-opera-tion of their representatives at the Sydney conference in the general substitution of a uniform decimal eyetem of weights and measures. Steps have been likewise taken by the Chamber to promote direct trade between India and Australia.

The “ Insurance Banking Eecord ” states a further reduction in rates of interest to 3 per cent, is inevitable, and that the Banks are only awaiting similar action on the part of other colonies.

Thirty-five entries have been received for the Australian Oup, V.E.O. Autumn Meeting. The entries include Progress, Flaneur, Oamballo, and other leading horses. Camhallo is also entered for tho Newmarket Handicap.

Tho gold returns of Victoria for 1880 show a yield increased by 90,000 ounces compared with tho previous year. New South Wales exports for 1880 exceeded the previous year by two and a quarter millions, the imports being 600,000 less; 40,000 more bales wool were also shipped last season than in tho previous year. Tho schooner Mavis has arrived from Salomon Island, and reports that the Zephyr, belonging to Mr Eidley, was attacked, captured, and burnt, and the captain and crow murdered. A part of the crew of the French barque Gabriel Alice, when leaving Newcastle, on Saturday, for Mauritius, mutinied, but were overpowered, placed ia irons, and so taken to sea, COOKTOWN. The trading ship Hong Kong reports having boon attacked by natives in the South Seas, and tho crew all killed except the captain. The vessel was plundered. Telegrams from Blackall state Lsicbardt’s fate is now ascertained, and that Olausson’a gravi was found in tho locality expected, by Mulligan’s river.