AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 710, 8 January 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PER ARAWATA, AT THE BLUFF.

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Bluff, Jaunary 7. The Arawata left Melbourne at 2.30 p.m. on the 3rd wiih the Suez mail, 50 saloon and 64 steerage passengers, 255 tons cargo, and 15 sheep for all ports, and arrived at the Bluff at 6 p.m.; sails for Dunedin to-night. Experience fine ■weather on the passage. Melbourne, January 1. Messrs Berry and Pearson left on the mission by the Assam on 28th December.

The Government steamer Victoria, with a number of the Embassy syrapathsisers, conveyed the Assam down the bay for about four miles.

Before Berrys departure a warning letter was addressed to the Chief Secretary, signed professedly by a German, intimating that an infernal machine would be placed on board the Assam, to explode 30 hours after the vessel had left port. The letter was of course, a hoax.

Major Smith has been sworn in as Treasurer, and Sir Bryan O’Longlin will administer the Chief Secretary’s Department during Berry’s absence. Sir Win. Jervoia has arrived at Melbourne to inspect the Colonial defence works.

Pioneer won the £100; Southampton, Two-year-old Stakes; Anconitethe £IOO Plate and Midsummer Handicap; Lone Hand the Steeple chase; and Tidal Wave the Three-year-old Handicap, The Kelly gang are still at large, but have been seen near Alexandra. There is much dissatisfaction with the police force. The latest about the Mansfield murderers is that they have resolved to attack the Beech worth Gaol tor the purpose of liberating their imprisoned friends.

The Canterbury eleven played at Ballarat on the,2Bth ult., and won by eight wickets. The three-masted schooner St Kilda, which lefr. Grey mouth for Melbourne on D •cember 11th collided with the .barque Seagull near Wilson’s Prouiontory. The barque was abandoned, but the schooner was not seriously damaged.