LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 60, 11 March 1871, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

by electric telegraph. [Per Gkeville's Compant, Reuter's Agents] Hokitika, March 10, 4-30 p.m. The s.s. Alhambra arrived at 1 p.m. today, having left Melbourne on the 4th at 10-15 p.m. Experienced light westerly weather. Passengers: for Wellington, Miss Spicer, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, Messrs. Scott, Bramwell, and Mullen. For Lyttelton, Messrs. Harker and James. For Otago, Messrs. Adamson and Fyfe. The Alhambra spoke the ship England from London to Wellington, 95 days out, yesterday, about 60 miles to the west of Hokitika. Melbourne March 4. The second batch of elections was decided yesterday, when the Minister of Railways was returned, defeating Messrs. M'Kean, Bowman, and Blair. It is anticipated that the Ministry will have a majority in the Assembly. The weather is changeable and the crops are not turning out well. The ship Therraopylaa from London spoke the Crusader, from London to Canterbury, 54 days out, off the Croze tt Islands. The Victorian beat the Tasmaniau cricketers without the loss of a wicket in their second innings. Advices from the Mauritius to January 30 state that the Dolar and Minnie are loading for New Zealand. A severe shock of earthquake was experienced in the southern portion of the Melbourne suburbs on the night of February 28. The bottle manufacturing districts of France having been invaded, the exportation of case brandy must cease until after the termination of the war. The barque Robert Handred, 70 days from New York, arrived on the same day as the Royal Saxon from the same port, bringing together 26,000 cases of kerosine. The market is quieter; at the sales yester-

day 2s. sd. to 2s. s|d. was given for common brands, and 2s. 7|d. for downers. The prices of sugar at Mauritius have advanced two shillings for Grey Syrup in which there is some speculation. Preserving sorts are also firmer. Several vessels are loading for the clouies. Chalmers versus Hobsou's Bay Railway Company for damages sustained iv an accident. Verdict for plaintiff for £1000. At the wool sales this week prices were very firm. At the Geelong races, Nimblefoot won theGeelongand Criterion Handicaps, beating Romula in both races easily. Little is doing in flour beyond tiade sales at £14. Wheat is quiet. Adelaide selling at 6s. Oats are dull; maize scarce and active. Sydney. Two different amendments ou the Government financial policy have beeu negatived by majorities of two to one. A Government steamer has gone to Elizabeth Reef with the Refuge lifeboat. An action has been brought by the Oriental Bauk against the Government for the value of stolen gold lost by the bank. A rich quartz-reef has beeu discovered in the Tenterfield district, aud a rush has taken place from the neighboring diggings. The police have arrested a man named Rogers on suspicion of haviug murdered one Davis, a hawker. Prisoner is remanded. Speculation is taking place in brandies. Martell's dark has advanced to 7s. 6d., and Heunessy's case to 30s. The Anvil Creek coalmine has been on fire since Thursday, and must be flooded to extinguish the flames. The schooner Colonist flooded off Elizabeth Reef, and has arrived^ here, bringing the wreckage of the barque Douglas. The Captain reports . the discovery of portions of a large ship on the north-east end of the reef. One Insurance Company is paying risks on the ship City of Sydney. The Wonga Wonga leaves for Calfornia via Fiji on the Sth of-April next. Adelaide. Tideman, the auctioneer, is missing. The police believe he went home in the ship Viola. Sales of wheat are taking place at 4s 9d. An Adelaide firm has accepted the offer of a Melbourne firm for 10,000 bushels at the present high prices, deliverable within a month. The Inspector of Sheep reports South Australia free from disease. The National Marine Insurance Company propose to declare a dividend of ten per cent.