AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 709, 16 August 1869, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

LATEST TELEGRAMS. Sydney, July 27. A lar&e number of diamouds are being found at Tambaroora, causing considerable excitement there. Messrs M'Kinlay Brothers, wholesale grocers have stopped payment. The liabilities are supposed to be £20,000. July 28. Major-General Chute left for Melbourne yesterday by the City of Adelaide. July 31. Another copper mine has been discovered near Rockhampton. A small farmer, in a fit of madness, murdered his wife near Mundroou, and afterwards committed suicide by shooting himself. August 2. Mr Marks, a magisti ate at Goulburn, has attempted to commit suicide after the Japanese fashion, and there are but slight hopes of his recovery. Two bushrangers have robbed a station near Dubbo, and shot a female servant. August 3. The Gas Company have reduced their price to 8s 6d per 1000 feet. New diggings have been found at Solitary Creek, in the neighborhood of the Western Railway. Clark, the proprietor of the Varieties, has been remanded for a week on a charge of beating his wife, whose life is despaired of from the effects of the brutal treatment she has suffered.

August 4. Irish State prisoners, refused by Victoria, are to be allowed a refuge in New South Wales. Adelaide, July 27. The directors of the Gas Company have declared a dividend of 7s 5d on old shares, and 6s 5d on new shares. July 31. The cultivation of flax as a new industry is again engaging public attention. The ship City of Adelaide, from London, has arrived after a favorable passage. Mr Weld, the uew Governor of Western Australia, is a passenger, aud has gone to Government house as a guest of Sir James Fergusson during his stay here, which will probably be until next mail leaves; although it is not unlikely he may visit Melbourne, and sail thence direct to the Sound. August 3. Captain Scott obtained the first prize at the volunteer riflle matches, with a score of sixty-two ; and Lieutenant Warren won the second prize with a score of fifty-three. The news from the Barossa is of a very favorable kind. A crushing of fourteen tons of cement yielded sixty ounces of gold. August 4. Parliament will re-opeu to-morrow, for the despatch of business. Lady Edith Fergusson has expressed her intention of being present at the opening ceremony. Brisbane, August 4. Some fresh ground including the original proprietors' ground, comprising a large area, and containing a rich lode of copper ore, has been discovered near Kilkivan, and taken up by an influential company of Sydney gentlemen. Hobart Town, August 2. Sir Richard Dry died last night, at twenty-five minutes past ten o'clock, at the comparatively early age of fifty-four. The Tasmania Steam Navigation Company's ordinary half-yearly meeting was held to-day. The report, which was considered very satisfactory, was adopted, and a divdend at the rate of 8 per cent, ptr annum was declared. August 3. There is to be a reconstruction of the Ministry, with the Hon. James Milne Wilson as Colonial Secretary and Premier, tne Hon. J. A. Dunn taking a seat in the Cabinet without office, the Hon. T. D. Chapman as Colonial Treasurer, and the Hon. W. L. Dobson as Attorney-General. It is probable that Parliament will add a Minister of Lands and Public Works, for which Dr Butler, M.H.A., has been mentioned. Launceston, August 4. The schooner Ann, Captain Beamer, of Sydney, struck on the Franklin Reef on the 19th July, and was afterwards beached on Flinders Island, where she beeame a total wreck. The crew were all saved. Melbourne, August 4. The Land Bill is passing rapidly through committee. Business is very dull; breadstuff's greatly depressed. The Volunteers land order agitation has been condemned by a brigade order. Ritson, the murderer of the Rev. Mr Hill, was executed yesterday. He made a full confession before his death.