AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 715, 6 September 1869, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

LATEST TELEGRAMS. Melbourne, August 16. TheG-eelong, R E.S., cleared punctually, and took 120,000 ounces gold and 1,900 sovereigns. The inquest on Captain Colgin resulted in a verdict that he died from irregular' habits. Mr James Bartlett appeared at the Theatre Royal to a good house, in the character of Lavater, and his performance is well spoken of. The prosecution of the men for the murder of a woman near the Military Barracks, or what is known as the "Swamp Murder," is likely to be abandoned. The investigations of the Land Committee still elicit strong evidence against two members of the Assembly. The markets closed steady.

August 17. The Assembly is now debating a motion which is to give permission to the Lands' Committee to make a progress report. An outrage in the Plenty district, by an old hand, has been reported to the detectives. Manuka (the New Zealand horse) is backed at twenty to one for the Cup, and Tim Whiffler at four to one for the Metropolitan Stakes. The Cleveland mares arrived par Swiftsure. Business is steady; sales of country flour have been effected at £l3 10s. August 18. The Argus has a strong leader against stockjobbing bubbles. The Land Bill has been recommitted, and the maximum area for selection fixed at 640 acres; it was carried by twentyeight to eight. In Equity, Judge Molesworth ordered an uncertificated insolvent named Bateman, who lately acquired property, to pay the Bank of Victoria a large debt of instalments of £SOO each. The inmates of the Benevolent Societywere yesterday treated to a ride in ten new omnibuses belonging to the Omnibus Com pany. Weigart and Daly, charged with the swamp mu-der, have been discharged, and the prosecution abandoned Rodders and O'Brien havo been remanded to Sydney at their own request. is reported that a large wool firm have assigned to their estate to the banks, with liabilities to the amount of £250,000.

The electors of Portland have resolved to call a meeting on Monday, to request Mr Butters to resign his seat. Messrs Dalmahoy Campbell & Co. report best beef at 32s 6d per 100 lbs, and 541 bs to 581bs wethers at 10s 12s.

Messrs Power Buiherford & Co. report, the sale of 800 head of cattle, principally of good quality, but the market was dull, and the prices declined considerably. Sales of sheep have been made with difficulty at a decrease of about one shilling. August 19. A report has been tabled in tiie Assembly from the Geodetic Survey party who are near Capo Howe, which stales that ihey discovered two rivers previously unknown ; also a quartz retf with rich goldbearing pyrites. Ihey have discovered abundance of oysters at Wingan Inlet. The Land Bill has finally passed through committee; Mr ATCulloch's clause devoting £200,000 annually out of the Land tfuiid for the extension of railways was carried unanimously. The Grovernment assented to the Supply Bill.

Jones, the perpetrator of the Whittlesse outrage, on finding himself tracked by the |jolice, committed suiciie; ho died this morning. Mr Casey has introduced a bill for the protection of the iborigiues. Wheat is quoted at 6s 3d. August 20. The third readiug of the Land Bill is fixed for Tuesday. A nugget weighing five pounds has been fouud at Castlemaine. An agitation has commenced to induce the Grovernment to insert a clause with re ference to the eight hours' system in all contracts. Tue Commissioner of Insolvency has refused to grant a certificate to Joshua Cowell and Joseph Herring, on the ground of reckless trading. Markets uueuaugod. August 21. Mr Duncan Longden has beeu des patched from Alhambra to Auckland on oehalf of the Geolong and Baliarat speculators. it is rumored that Captain M'Mahon uas been offered the Commissiouership ol ivailwaysManuka is readily backed for the Cup at twelve to one. August 21. The equity of redemption of Jvyie's property was ollercd at auction, and brought Jtilb,oJ. Manuka has become a strong favorite for the Melbourne Cup.

The Ueelong Advertiser haß purchased the copyright of the liogUter. Tiie bakers intend commencing the ten hours' system on.tbe Gen (September. Mrs liubert iieir is drawing crowded uouaes ut the iioyai. J3ubinoss is orisii. Speculation has revived in candles. Brandon's are lirui ui lUii. Downer's kerooiue rmiuiaius full raies. Flour, £•-'£ 10s to £i'i iUs ; wheal, lis 6d ; in oats there is but little doing j uiaize is firm at 4s to 4n 6i. Sydney, August 23. The big diamond aikged to have been found at Armidale is uotuiag but a waterworn, long exposed pebble of rock crystal or quartz.

M'Kinlay, the insolvent, has been committed for contempt of Court. Adelaidb, August 16. An attempt is being made to form a company for the purpose of jam making. The Government have agreed to find work for the unemployed at Dry Creek. August 17. The importer of jewellery lately seized by the Customs has been allowed to retain it on payment of a fine of £7OO. Lamprey were caught in the river Torrens yesterday. August 18. The Attorney General created a sharp debate in the Assembly by speaking of Justices of the Peace as his subordinates. Fifty to sixty of the unemployed accepted work offered by the Gouernment at Dry Dock. August 19. A bill is to be introduced into the Assembly to restrict the importation of all lucifers, except what are known as " safety matches." The weather is unseasonably warm ; rain is anxiously looked for. August 21. Heavy showers fell last night wiih thunder and lightning. Wheat firm at 5s Id to 5s 2d. Flour, holders of town ask £l2 to £l3 ; salts of country have taken place at £ll 10s. August 23. Gold has been found on the Murray flats. Wheat is firm at 5s 3d.