MELBOURNE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 998, 21 April 1871, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

Saturddy, April 15. The iron-clad man of-war Cerberus arri\ eel in Hobson's Bay on Sunday afternoon last, and was immediately rushed by visitors-. Lieut. Panter has sent in, his report, and has received the warm thanks of the Government for his pluck and skill. His appointment as captain and head naval officer of colonial defences will shortly be issued. The Easter holidays lasted till Tuesday, and were well observed. The ship Bengal, with 461 passengers, has arrived ; all well.

The Avocti arrived in the Bay on Tuesday evening. The Hydamack, Russian corvette, sailed on Wednesday morning; it is said for New Zealand.

Lieut.-Col. SSankey arrived by the mail steamer from India, and has been, appointed head of the Victorian Water Supply Department. He enters at once upon his duties. The Cerberus has already been taken alongside Williamston breakwater, with a -siev to her being dismantled. An investigation into the loss of the steamer Barwon has been commenced, and stands adjourned to Monday next. The police have seized ac Williamstown a quantity of spirits, supposed to be adulterated.

A man named Charles Eigg has comnutted suicide by poisoning himself. Breadstuffs remain very dull of sale„ Flour is quoted at £l4 to i-15 pet* ton. Wheat, lower; sales of Adelaide have taken place at 6s 6d ; Port Macdonnell, 6s 3d. Oats are otfei ed more freely, at prices langing from 3s 4d to 3s 8d„ Maize has declined ; it now stands ac 3s lOJdto 3s lid. Sugar is £1 per ton lower for all descriptions. 3,600 bags ex Thomas Brown and 4,000 bags ex various ships, in addition to 4,000 mat* Java sugar, have been sold at different times, all subject to this reduction. The Carrenna froin Mauritius anived yesterday. There has been more speculation in kerosine. 11,000 case*, on the spot and to arrive, have changed hands since the arrival of the mail. The price is withheld.

Candles are in better inquiry. Sales have taken place at various rates up. to 10id.

The news by the mail is considered uatisfactory. The total decrease in value of shipments to the Colonies amounts to .£388,000, which includes a decrease to New Zealand alone of £125,000.

Nothing is doing in brandies, but prices continue firm. The European Mail reports that the Annie from New York has 14,000 cases of kerosine for Dunedin. This is a mistake. She brings 4,000 for Dunedin and 2,000 for Adelaide. Arrived—Margaret, from Dunedin; Southern Gross, from Lyttelton. Sailed—Hero, ss., today, for Auckland via Sydney.