VICTORIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 445, 7 February 1857, Page 5

VICTORIA.

A few days ago, says the ' Herald' of the 13th Jan., an atrocious attempt was made to poison a whole family of persons, but providentially without success. Two householders occupy premises in a certain street in the city, and they were usually supplied with water by the same'carrier. Last week a load was divided between the: barrels in both yards, and all the members of the family partaking of the water in one cask were seized with a sort of simultaneous illness, and it was a matter of much surprise to account for so extraordinary an event, Poison was at length suggested, and on examining the barrel a quantity of tartar emetic was found therein, wlm-.h at once removed all doubt as to the cause. Medical aid was ■ promptly procured, and although the .father was for some time insensible, he and all the others who were unwell Were with much care saved from an' untimely death. The circumstance has, we believe, been reported to the police authorities, and we trust no exertion will be spared in endeavouring to bring to justice the perpetrator of so diabolical a crime. If ever there was a casein which the Government should offer a large reward, this is one, for from such fiends as could antimonise a water cask few are safe. The same authority has the following:— Mour is if anything- rather firmer. First Adelaide may be quoted at £17 10s. to £18, whilst favorite brands are: held for £19 or even £20 per ton.

A robbery of a very . serious character was perpetrated on Sunday afternoon, at Slattery's, Lightning Hotel, Howard-street, North Melbourne, by which nearly £1000 in money has passed into the possession of the perpetrators. It appears that several persons board and sleep at Slattery's hotel, most of them, as is usually the case, being strangers to the landlord. Amongst these was a i person named M:Murray, an American, recently arrived from California, bringing with him a, considerable sum of money, with which he intended to set up in some mercantile business in Victoria. This money, enclosed in a small box, he handed to Mr. Slattery, who locked it in a strong box in which he kopfc upwards of £200 of his own. On Sunday morning MY. M''Murraj T went out to dine with a friend at Pentridge, and the box containing the-cash was left in one of the up-stair rooms. While the inmates of the hotel were, dining, a person who has resided at the place for 8 or 9 days'entered, and stating that he was going oixt to dine, went up-stairs, and soon afterwards descended and went out. Shortly afterwards it was discovered that the box containing the" cash had been wrenched open, and the small cash box, together with Mr. Slattery's money, taken away,—the whole sum abstracted amounting to' nearly £1000. Information was immediately, given to the detective police, but up to yesterday evening no, civic was obtained to. the offender s

who is supposed to be the person who went upstairs, as he has not since returned. „ This is another instance of the extreme folly of persona leaving large sums of money in,exposed situations. ■ ■■„. ■■■...'

Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26.—The great event of this week is the arrival and installation of Sir Henry Barkly as Governor in Chief of Victoria. His Excellency took the oaths this morning, and formally assumed the reins of Government.. : , Sir H. Barklyis a tall, slender personage, with grey eyes, dark long hair and whiskers. His features are rather pleasing, but not very expressive. There is nothing striking in his tout ensemble, and but for his handsome uniform ho might very well haye passed for an uninterested spectator of the pageant. . Lady Barkly is a tine-looking lady, rather stouter in appearance than her husband ; and their daughter, a. little girl often years, is a pleasing looking child, but, rather small for her age. The Government and the public have been taken by surprise by the arrival of his Excellency, and. no preparation were made to receive him. It was not expected that the Oneida would.make the run in anything under 75 days, as it was understood she was to come out direct without stopping to coal. A handsome temporary'platform; was, however, rapidly made to rise*in front of the Government Offices and the ceremony of swearing in was performed in the presence of at least ten thousand spectators. The reception of his Excellency was a cordial one. There was none of the extravagant abandon which characterised that of his predecessor; everybody has learned to be heartily ashamed of the part played in that affair—but on every side the expressions of those who constitute*! the audience were most hearty and cordial. His Excellency, very wisely refrained from- addressing the lieges on the occasion. I am sorry to say that the Chief Justice, whose infirmities are not growing less with increased years, fell down on the platform, aftar having administered the oath: He declared that he had not suffered any injury from the fall. The Christmas holidays are likely to be rather protracted this season in trading circles; as importers are not inclined to accept lower rates, or to extend their credits, and buyers are holding back. .There have been three failures this week of some importance:-—Messrs. Piske and Co., an American house, with liabilities of from £18,000 to £20,000; Messrs. Hottav, Thompson, and Co., with liabilities of about £12,000; and another firm with liabilities of £16,000. This latter, however, will, it is thought, be arranged privately. These failures have added much-to the prevailing heaviness of the market. Confidence was so far l^e-established that the inland houses were obtaining, credit very readily; but this has received a cheek which may prove a very reasonable one.; —Cor. Sydney 3£orning Herald.