AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 736, 18 November 1869, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Sydney, Nov. 2. An influential meeting was held today respecting the proposed changes in London wool sales, when the conduct of the banks in shipping wool was censured.

Mr Jardiue informs the Queensland Government that he discovered the murder of the Sperwer's crew last May,

Reports from the agricultural districts state that the recent rains have much improved the wheat crop, and a large yield is anticipated.

Nov. 3. „ The Government have stopped payment of pensions on account of the super-annuation fund being exhausted. Mr Jones succeeds the late Mr Kelly ae Clerk of Parliaments.

The last month's yield of gold shows a decrease amounting to nearly one-third as compared with former periods. The ship Martha Birnie has cleared for London with a cargo of new wool.

Seven thousand cases of kerosine, ex Confidence, changed hands to-day in one line, on terms withheld. At auction, Hart's rum sold at £3 7/6 to £3 9/; Marteli's brandy, 7/3. Nov. 4. One of the diamonds sent to England to be examined and cut has been returned. The lapidaries pronounce it to be of the first quality, and valued in England at .£SOO. Three hundred navvies have struck work on the Northern Railway, and a riot is threatened at Murrundi. An extra body of police has been despatched to prevent a breach of the peace. The Legislative Assembly sat till 3 o'clock this morning, the Opposition talking against time for the purpose of prolonging the debate on the tariff. In the course of the morning a very discreditable scene occurred between tho lato Treasurer and the present Premier. The former characterised the latter as a boaster and a coward, while the Premier retorted by threatening to pull the late Treasurer's nose. A scene of great confusion followed. The Assembly resumed the budget and debate this afternoon, the Opposition endeavoring to waste time. Eighteen hundred and sixteen bales of wool were offered to-day, and about half were sold at a slight advance on late rates. Adelaide flour, d£ls.

Adelaide, Nev. 2. At a meeting of the policy holders in the European Insurance Company, a committee was appointed to watch the course of events, and to prevent the Melbourne agency paying away any money invested in the Colony. The corn market is depressed. Sales of wheat have taken place at 5/6.

Nov. 3. An angry discussion took place in both houses respecting the dismissal of the Postmaster-General. The debates were without any practical result. His Excellency the Governor breakfasted with the Archdeacon Twopenny, at Eiverton, to-day, en route for Wallaroo. Shortly afterwards, whilst going to visit the Port Wakefield tramway, the archdeacon's horse shied, and throwing him against a tree, killed him on the spot. The archdeacon was very popular especially in the country districts. His sudden deatli is a great loss to the Church of England here.

The Mercantile Marine Insurance Company has commenced business. The Canowie Station, comprising 25,000 acres of purchased laud, and 130 square miles held under lease, with G 3,000 sheep, was sold by auction to-day for £59,300. Mr Letchford was the purchaser. The corn market is quiet; wheat is quoted at 5/6. Nov. 4. At a post mortem examination as to the cause of the late Archdeacon Two penny's death, it has been discovered that death resulted from disease of the heart, and that he must have fallen off his horse in a fit, and was not thrown as reported yesterday. His Excellency the Governor waits to attend the funeral, and, on account of the melancholy occurrence, has postponed his visit to Wallaroo.

The markets remain quiet, and trade sales of wheat are reported at quotations; 5/7 is offering for parcels tor export. Launceston, Nov. 3. A melancholy occurrence took ppico during the passage of the s.s. Tamar to this port. Mrs Burnett, a cabin passenger, jumped overboard with an infant in arms. The latter was saved, but the mother was drowned. QUEENSCLIFI' 1 , Nov. 4 The barque Kialto is aground on a bank a little South-West of Swan Bay buoy- She is throwing coals overboard to lighten her.