LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2144, 23 June 1875, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PER S.S. OTAGO.

[PRESS AGENCY.]

Melbourne, June 37.

The Parliamentary proceedings have i been characterised by dullness. The Land Bill formed a subject of debate in the Assembly during the past week, but excited no interest either inside or outside the House. A point of order was raised, that the bill should have originatedin Committee, as it dealt with taxation in raising pastoral assessment, but was overruled. In anticipation of Customs changes there has been a great falling off in the quantities of goods cleared, but it was announced that remissions of duty will not come into operation for some months after. Michael Dawson's property has been sworn at L 337,000. At Vaughan, near Castlemaine, a Chinaman was murdered in his hut by his mate, another Chinaman, who was arrested. Duncan Longden, Justice of the Peace, has been committed for trial on a second charge of forgery. The Sydney Government have sent a telegram to England closing the contract for the New Zealand cable. Mining matters are improving in some parts of the Colony. The Rev. Charles Clark continues to draw immense audiences. M'Ewan, wholesale grocer, has suspended payment, the deficiency is believed to be about L 38,000. The handicaps for the Melbourne Cup are published ; the top weight is 9st 81b ; Lurline comes next with 9st 71b; Calumny has Bst 121 b; and Castaway 7st 131 b. In the Metropolitan, Lurline is also second weight, 9st 61b; Calumny, Bst 81b.