LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 776, 7 January 1871, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] (fkom'otjr own correspondent.) Bluff, Jan. 5. The s.s. Tararua, Hagley commander, arrived at 11 o'clock this morning, after a 6 day 24 hours passage. She left Melbourne at noon on the 29th, and encoun tered a succession of strong easterly gales and heavy head seas for 53 hours, and was obliged to keep the engines going slow. She brings 402 tons cargo, including 9000 bags sugar for Dunedin ; 6 cabin and 29 steerage passengers, and 27 horses, for all ports. Passengers— For Dunedin :Mr Howe, Mr Sydney, Mr Thomas. For Lyttelton: Mr W. H. Hem. For Wellington : Mr H. P. Fergie, Mr Minohin, and 28 in the steerage. 29 tons cargo for Wellington. The Omeo arrived at Melbourne at 10 a.m. on the 29fch December. Melbourne, Dec. 29. Parliament wa3 prorogued to-day. The Publican's Bill has passed. Beer licenses are abolished ; country hotel licenses reduced to L 10; concert and dancing saloons at hotels prohibited. The general elections commence in February. The Bayment of Members Act is inducing a great number of candidates to give early intimation of their readiness to stand. The holidays passed off well. Sydney, Dec. 28. The Melbourne University beat the Sydney University both at rowing and cricket at Sydney, Murtin and Wihon were re-elected unopposed. O'Connor opposed Robertson at Windeyer, but his chances are considered ' small. All the new Ministers are likely to be re-elected. Heavy rains have occurred at Sydney. Scarcely any busiuess is doing. Flour remains steady at Ll2 10s. Feeding grains dull and without alteration. The Banks reduced the maximum interest on deposits to 4 per cent. H.M.S. Blanche has arrived at Hobart Town. Her captain is the guest of Governor DuCane.