AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 313, 31 December 1873, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

, Melbourne, Decmber 23. During the intensely hot weather much damage haa been orca'ioned by l.«?h fires. Last week the weather turned quite i old. liin is badly wanted throughout the country. Tbe question of a harbor trust ia strongly advocated by tho mercantile and shipping coramuni y. Government ha. promised th .t steps shall be taken. On the speech day at the public schools, the Governor in idea good speecb on the subject of educition. Metloek, : ear Wood's poin v , has been destroyed by fire, and two children were burned to death. A youDg man named Crosslenson has been murdered and burnt near Sandhurst. Tbe »ate of discount ia raised cne per cent. Mr J. F. Martley, a barrister, and an ex-SoJicitor-Gener.il, has die 1 suddenly. The will of Mr A. Robertson, a squatter, was lately proved at £242,000. The Australian Cup closed with 28 entries; the Newmarket Handicap with thirty-six. 'J he Minister of Lands recently forfeited the licenses of a number of squatters' runs on the grounds of dummyistn, also several thousand acres of selected land. Commercial— Business is not very brisk ; breedstuff. are very firm. There is a good trade demand for flour as £13 5s to £13 7s 61; wheat is much wanted at 5s 8d to 5s lOd, oats very saleable at 4g £d to 4s 9J for fair samples; lleonesay'a pale brandy, 9a 3d; sugars in good request, anu command full rates. Latest Mauritius dates of November 7 report the M^iora and Farningliam loading for New Zealand. Whites are quoted at 7 dols 35 cents; yellows, 6 dols 85 cents. Salt, coirse aud floe has advanced to £6. There is a better demand for bottled beers. Saunted teas sold at 9d to ls 6d for a large lineSydney, December 23. Parliament has adjourned io January 13. Re seamens' strike, a meeting of shipowners yesterday pledged themselves not to yield to the seamens' demands. A public testimoniil is to be given to Sir A. Stephen. 'J he Minister of Justice has been re-elected by a large majority. Mail advices state that four large steamers are tendering for the Californiau services with a speed of twelve knots, and to convey 100 saloon passengers. The MacGregor sailed on the 20th instant with 58 passengers and a large mail. The liishop of Sydney has been thrown from his horse and much shaken. Queensland, December 23. The Government sold £10,700 worth of debentures at 88. Jarvis was hanged yesterday for the murder of Moggeridge. He confessed the justice 'of his seD fence. The cabmen threaten to strike unless the fares are raised. Rochfort and 400 other exiles have arrived at New Caledonia. _, Adelaide, December 23. The Parliament is prorogued to March 17, Bush fires have created destruction amongst cheep and crops. Mr Godfrey, the editor of the 'Wallaroo Times,' has received an appointment on a New Zealand paper. Mr Goss bas explored and discovered a fine country towards Western Australia. „