LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 853, 21 April 1871, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, April 15. The Cerberus arrived in Hobson's Bay on Sunday afternoon, and was immediately rushed by visitors. Lieutenant Panter sent in his report, and it was received with the warm thanks of the Government for his pluck and skill. His appointment as captain and head naval officer of the Colonial defences will shortly issue. The Easter Holidays lasted till Tuesday, and were well observed. The Bengal, with 461 passengers, arrived all well. The Avoca arrived in the Bay on Tuesday evening. The Haydamack, Russian corvette, sailed on Wednesday morning, it is said, for New Zealand. Lieut. -Colonel Sankey arrived by the mail from India, and has been appointed head of the Victoria Water Supply Department, and at once commenced duty. The Cerberus has already been alongside the Williamstown Breakwater, with, the view of dismantling her. An investigation into the loss of the schooner Barwon has been commenced, and adjourned until Monday next. The police seized a quantity of spirits, supposed to be adulterated, at Williamstown. Charles Rigg has poisoned himself. Breadstuffs remain very dull of sale. Flour is quoted at Ll4 to LI 5. Wheat lower. Sales— Adelaide, 6s 6d; Port M'Donnell, 6s 3d. Oat? are more freely offered at 3s 4d to 3s Bd. Maize declined to 3s 10|d to 3s lid. Sugars LI lower all round. 3600 bags, per Thomas Brown, 4000 bags ex various ships, and 4000 mats of Java sugar, have been sold at different times, all supject to this reduction. The Corinne, from Mauritius, arrived yesterday. Speculation is again active in kerosene* 11,000 cases on spot and to arrive have changed hands since the mail arrived. The price is withheld. Candles are in better enquiry, and sales have been made up to lOd. The news by the mail is considered satisfactory. The total decrease of shipments to the Colonies is 1/388,000, including decrease to New Zealand of L 125,060. Nothing is doing in brandies, but prices are firm. The European Mail says that the Annie, from New York, has 14,000 cases of kerosene for Dunedin. This is a mistake ; she brings 4000 cases for Dune. din, and 2000 for Adelaide. Arrived — Margaret, from Dunedin ; Southern C ;■>ss, from Lyttelton. The Hero sails to-day for Auckland, via Sydney. Sydney, April 14. The Meat Preserving Company are progressing favorably with their works. At a nibeting at Greville's Rooms, resolutions were passed in favor of urging on <

the Imperial Government the desajrabjj^ ness of annexing Fiji. \ The Harbottle, from 110 Ho, Brings 18,000 packages of sugars. Spy won theHomebush Cup Race. Two miles in three minutes thirty-five seconds. The shortest time done in the Colonies. Four arrivals on Wednesday brought 1035 tons sugars. The market is quiet, prices reduced LI per ton all round. The Blanche proceeds on a cruise to the South Seas immediately. Wool is fiem, and the sales are brisk. Adelaide wheat, 6s to 6s 6d. The Customs Bill has finally passed the Assembly. The Naval and Military Defences Bill passed the second reading. The return of the last quarter's revenue shows an increase of LIB,OOO. Brisbane, April 14. Parliament opened on Thursday. The Governor promised Insolvency, Electoral Representation, and other Bills. Adelaide, April 14. L 30,000 worth of South Australian Bonds have been sold at a premium of 10 per cent, since the departure of the mail. The corn market is quiet at ss.