LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 655, 31 March 1870, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(FROM OTJR OWtf CORRESPONDENT.) Hokitika, March 30. The s.s. Gothenburg, from Melbourne, arrived in the roadstead this afternoon at four o'clock, bringing date 3to the 21th March :—f Melbourne, March 24. Government is negotiating with an agent for an English capitalist, with a view to forming railway lines for six thousand pounds per mile, and guaranteed six per cent, interest for thirty years. William Davis, convicted on a charge of murdering his wife at Trentham, has been sentenced to ten years' imprisonment ; Adolph Johnson, convicted on a charge of shooting at a policeman in Fitzroy Gardens, to seven years ; and Mark Gowan, for rape, to seven years. The 14th Regiment sailed in the Walmer Castle. Draper has been committed for trial on a fresh charge of embezzling L 1990 12s lOd. C. P. Stnrt resigned his magisterial functions on the 22nd. Captain Payne has teen appointed Chief Harbor Master. Public opinion strongly opposes the appointment. The authorities have decided to hold a volunteer encampment at Sunbury during the Easter holidays. Heavy rains have fallen at Echuca. One hundred and fifty men have struck work at. the Alfred Graving Dock, Williamstown, demanding the eight hours' system. Detective Carter has been killed by coming into collision with a cab shaft while running a race. A diver, named John Christian, has been drowned while at work on the wreck of the Eliza. Payable gold has been struck at Merton Creek, Gipps Land ranges. The Council adjourned to the 22nd, out of respect to the memory of Sir Charles Darling. John Guthrie, Assistant-Commissioner of Customs, is dead. Arrived — Rathfern, from Liverpool. The Lady Darling Annuity Bill for twenty thousand pounds has passed both. Houses. Duncan Gillies has been returned for Maryborough. Professor Gamgee's preserved meat was tested yesterday at Mr Goldsborough's stores, and found a complete failure. The mutton was stinking when opened. John Tait, of Heals ville, an old colonist, attempted suicide through drink last night. , Diptheria is very prevalent. Flour, LlO to Lll ; maize, 4s. 6d ; oats, 3s 6d. Trade very dull. No other fail* ures notified. Sugars very firm. Sydney, March 24. A prospectus has been issued for the formation of a company called the Great North and South Railway and Emigration Company— capital, L 20,000,000. Disastrous floods have occurred at Penrith, Windsor, Richmond, Maitland, and Arulean. Four lives were lost. Arrived — John Knox, from Lyttelton ; Nerced, from Auckland ; Siren, from Wellington, at Newcastle. The ketch Ino has been wrecked at Newcastle. The crew were saved by the life boat. Tremendous gales have occurred all along the coast. Maize is rising, owing to the floods. The barque Sunshine is wrecked on the Borneo coast. The barque Rangoon is driven on the rocks near Kiama. Several lives were lost along the Clarence River. The floods have now subsided. The Government is considering the advisability of reducing the inter-colonial tariff charges. The schooner Active has sailed with men and material to construct a telegraph line from Townsville to the North-west boundary of Queensland to meet the ocean cable. The City of Melbourne has arrived from Auckland, Wool sales are brisk. Not much offering. Adelaide, March -24. Captain Douglas has be,en appointed Government Resident in the Northern territory. The A.S.N. Company's tender for the. conveyance of the, English mails has been accepted. Only one was sent in. Legge, a carpenter, has murdered his wife during a drunken quarrel. Captain Phillips, roaster. of the schooner Henry Ellis, has committed suicide by taking an overdose of laudunurci. Business is quiet, and breadstuffs dull, •Wheat, 55..