AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1609, 8 September 1874, Page 350

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

MELBOURNE. 29th August. The Treasurer made his financial statement, and stated that he commenced the year with a balance of £170,358 from last year. The estimated revenue was £4,259,136, which, together with a recoup from advances, made the gross revenue £4,515,182, being neaily £200,000 more than was received in the previous year. The expenditure was £4,478,000, which was also in excess of'last year. This would leave the sum of £37,102 to be carried forward to next year. He proposed to change the ad valorem duties on lialf-a-million's worth of goods to fixed duties, and to place some of the 10 per cent, goods in the 20 per cent, list, and to remit the duties en a few articles. An additional duty would be placed on wine. The result of these alterations would occasion a loss to the revenue of £470,000, but £130,000 was expected from wine. The financial statement has not given satisfaction, especially to free traders. The boot importers have already held a mneting, and protested against fixed duties instead of ad valorem duties. The Payment to Members Bill has been read a first time in the Assembly. A large number of petitions have been presented to the Assembly from local bodies in favor of assisted immigration. Lady Bowen proceeds to Europe by the mail steamer next month. The libel action—'proprietors of the Theatre Royal v. Herald—resulted in a verdict for plaintiffs with one farthing damages. A small sheepfarmer named John Moriarty, has been murdered near Sclmapper Point. The murderer is as yet undiscovered. Mr Parkes, the Sydney Premier, is at present visiting here. Seven men belonging to the brig Pararie have been drowned by a boat accident at Bowse Island. SYDNEY. ■ 29th August. The Governor leaves for Fiji on September 7. A lire in Bolton-street, Newcastle, destroyed much property and buildings. Woods Bros., bonded stores, value £20,000, was insured for £IO,OOO in the Victoria, Liverpool, London, and Globe. Official accounts from the Palmer state that the goldfield is prosperous, but provisions are dear and scarce. The blacks are troublesome. ADELAIDE. 29th August. J. W. Barrow, editor of the Advertiser, and late Treasurer of the Colony, is dead. Crops are reported as looking well.