AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1067, 13 July 1871, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

July 3. The ship Mary Shepherd was found ta be on fire in Hobson's Bay on the 2nd inst., and was scuttled and sunk. The Assembly is adjourned to the. 25th July for the Ministerial elections. There is very little business of any public interest stirring. The breadstuffs market ist exceedingly dull, and not the slightest inclination is being evinced to enter into any other business than that absolutely necessary for immediate requirements.. Flour is, nominal at <£l6 to<£l6 10s; and wheat is by no means active at late quotations, viz, 7s 4d to 7s sd, even these rates being only obtainable where terms are given. Oats are steady at from 3s 4d to 3s 8d; good feeding samples are saleable at from 3s 5d to 3s 6d. Maizerules at about 3s 9d to 3s 10d.. The Formosa" is aground at Queenscliff. Heavy rains and floods have occurred at Sale; great damage has been done. Sydney, July 2. The Zavistovski sisters continue ta draw large houses. A sailor named Foxcroft has been committed for trial on a charge of stabbing the chief officer of the ship Winifred on the 22nd June. An Imperial despatch received by the last mail considers that the liberation of Rangie and Capt. Hoyell, who were con\icted of murdering several Polynesians on board iheir vessel in the South Seas, was unwarranted. In reply to this the Government sent a despatch by the last mail stating that the Secretary of State interfering in the administration of criminal justice was not considered regular or expedient, and justifies Capt. Hovell's release on the grounds that the conviction was either erroneous or based on insufficient evidence. Parliament was prorogued on the 24th June with the usual formalities. The speech was not important, the principal topic for congratulation being* the expected benefits to be derived from harbor' defences and the new military forces,

The Navigation Board Bill, which passed the Council on the 23rd June, lias been reserved for tjhe Queen's assent. Prior to prorogation, the Council carried a resolution for an address to the Governor praying for the appoints znent of a Royal Commission to inquire Into the working of the Superannuation Act. Mr Healy, proprietor of the floating dock, died suddenly on the evening ot fche 23rd June. Adventuress, Mabel, Pyrrhus, and Whalebone have been scratched for the Metropolitan Stake?. The man Savage has been committed for trial for the murder of his brother. Fiji advices report that King Thakambau has appointed a Provisional Government, with Mr Burt, formerly auctioneer in Sydney, as his Premier. A meeting of the delegation had been convened, and the principal native chief* had sworn allegiance to the King and constitution. Adelaide, July 2. Wheat very quiet; buyers and sellers cannot agree as to the price; 5s lid offered, but up transactions. The weather is very stormy. Hobart Town, July 2. The Government are having a portion of the military barracks land measured ofl as a site for a large hotel*