AUSTRALIAN NEWS TO 31st MARCH

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1774, 13 April 1874, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS TO 31st MARCH

Melbourne, March 28. Mr Coppin has secured a site in Elizabeth street, and intends erecting a jointstock grand opera house. Mr Joseph Davis, a member of the firm of J. D. Myers and Co., has absconded, leaving heavy liabilities. He owes the Colonial Bank L7OOO. Sir Charles Duffy is succeeded in the representation of Dalhousie by his son. Mr Ruperti Green, who was committed on the verdict of the coroner's jury for the murder of Mr Maxwell Reynolds, will be placed on his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Conrt in Melbourne. The long-pending case of Degraves v. M'Mullen has come to an unlooked for termination, the Supreme Court in banco having decided in favor of the defendant upon the issue raised by him that the contract between himself and Degraves was, supposing Degraves's account to be true, an unallowable one. His Worship the Mayor has addressed a circular to the Mayors of the towns and boroughs throughout the colony, inviting them to take steps to initiate the Hospital Sunday in their several districts. The 27th September is the day fixed for the collections in Melbourne. His Excellency Sir George Bowen, with a number of ladies, paid a visit to H.M.S. frigate Challenger, on Wednesday, and were received with manned yards in lieu I of the customary vice regal salute, as it unadvisable to fire big guns from the ship, ' as the firing iijjuri.es the instruments on board for scientific purposes. Mr Chas. H. Foster, the spirit medium, i is at present in Melbourne, and creating some little excitement. I A circular has been received by the Vie- • torian Government from the Colonial 1 Office, Downing street, in reference to the uniforms to be worn by Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Ministers of State in her Majesty's Colonies. 1 At Sandhurst, the ladies are taking up cricket in earnest, thirty-five having given their names in. Breadstuffs are well maintained, buyers operating with some confidence. & In reply to repeated solicitations from the residents of Fitzroy and Collingwood, the Chief Secretary has agreed to adopt stringent measures with a view to mitigating the larrakin nuisance which prevails to such an alarming extent in those neighborhoods. ; Judge Williams has sent in his resignation to Government, and proposes to retire from the Bench on the 15th April. His son, Mr Hartley Williams, announces 1 his intention to contest the election for St. Kilda, believing that Mr Stephens will go on the Bench ; but some difficulty seems to render the supposition doubtful, Sydney, March 28. A number of Communists, amongst whom is the celebrated Rochfort, arrived at Sydney, having escaped from New Caledonia in the barque P. C. E., to Newcastle. They decline to give any particulars of their escape, for fear of implicating their friends. They left Newcastle for Sydney this morning, and friends here have engaged their apartments at C >urvosier's Hotel. The escape, it is believed, was arranged by the same parties. M. Rochfort and his confreres are very reserved and not courting attention. Fitz lTatten don and Speculation did the best half-mile ever done on Randwick today. The following scratchings have taken place : — Rocket, Gaffer Grey, and Sweetbriar, for all engagements ; Gameboy for the Autumn Stakes ; Balndiwall for the Steeplechase ; Bondo, • for the Trial Stakes ; and Captain Cook, for the Sydney Cup. Adelaide, March 26. A man named John George Moon has been found dead, from thirst, in the Gawler Ranges. March 27. Over 2000 tons of breadstuff} were exported last week, making 37,000 tons for the year. The balance-sheet of the Moonta mine shows that 11,000 tons of ore were raised during the half-year. The gross proceeds amounted to L 122,000, and the expenses to LBO,OOO. March 28. Mrs Crocker, the wife of a clerk to Simpson, coal merchant, was killed by a train hast night at Port Adelaide^ whilst crossing the line in a waggonette. Her husband was driving, aud was, endeavoring to cross before the train came up, when the back of the vehicle in which Mrs Crocker was sitting was caught by the engine. Brisbane, March 29. Nearly 127 tons of tin were received from Warwick during the week. The Lord Ashley left for the Endeavor river yesterday evening. She was detained one day through a report that she waa overcrowded when she left Sydney. Townsvillb, March 23. Favorable news has been'reoeived here from the Palmer gold-fields. Several reefs have been discovered, with a good show. There is no flour at Cooktown, and nearly 3000 men are said to be on the road between Cooktown and the Palmer. A number have come down and are waiting at Oooktown for stores. It is estimated that some of the stone ootained from the new reef will yield 10oz to the ton. Some splendid picked specimens have been sent down. Mr Kinley, the late member for Gympie, came down frem the Palmer by a track of his own. He says that bullock-teams could travel now by heading the ' No- i manby river. Severaf deaths haveoocurred ' through ' dysentry. The blacks are troublesome on the i road. i March 25. ' ] A naturally good road has been dis- < covered from the mouth of the Kennedy j to the Palmer gold-field, no ranges inter i vening. The distance is about 120 miles. It is generally considered that on account ] of the extent of the present rush, steps 1 should be immediately taken by th,e Gor I yernment to open thjs route. ' . 1 Georgetown, March 21. 1 1 A Chinaman was stabbed by another at 1 1 Charters Towers, t

Five crushing-machines are now working. The miners are leaving daily for the ) Palmer. ' Kight thousand ounces of gold are awaiting the escort, and the prospects of the field will revive when reefers are available. March 23. An official telegram from Cobktown; - via Townsville, reports that there is nothing particular to state since last telegram. Population increased yesterday, by about 600, after the arrival of the Leichardt, Southern Uros3, Minerva. Mary Camrbell, and Rose. The weather is fine : the road is open. There are no further reports of death either by want, drowning, or the blacks. The rate for the carriage of supplies by packhorses still keeps up to 2s per pound, and the demand for rations on the diggings is so great that the horses on the road are not equal to supplying it. Bullock teamsters would find that carrying from Cooktown is much better occupation ■ 1 than gold digging. Everything is quiet and orderly. Rockhampton, March 22. Information from Cooktown and Townsville, dated Wednesday last, says the first issue of a new bi-weekly journal has been published, called the Gooktown Herald. Information has been laid against the captains of vessels bringing horses for improper way-bills. | The news from the goldfields is highly encouraging. The reefs discovered are said to be equal in richness to those of Gympie. Eighteen pounds of quartz exhibited at the Joint Stock Bank are estimated to yield at the rate of GOoz to the ton. Provisions are scarce at Cooktown. Large quantities are being forwarded by packhorses to the Palmer. No flout or butcher's meat is obtainable. The weather is beautifully cool, in consequence of the trade winds, and the public health is good. The total receipts from the Palmer since the establishment of the township, amount to 20,0000z of gold. The Government surveying party are hard at work opening up a dray-road from Cooktown to the Palmer. People are foolish to come here until the work is completed.