AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 135, 8 June 1874, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Melboubne, June 2. Intelligence was received on Sunday of the loss of the ship British Admiral, 1800 tons, from London to Mel. ' bourne, on King's island, Bass' Straits, .on the 23rd May. ' There were 79 lives y^lost, and only nine survivors, including . fonr'jfsaeeengers, four of the crew, ;and the third mate. The ship's chronometers ' were e'tit of order, and she had lost her reckoning and struck on a rock on the west side of ; the island. ; jShe went to . pieces in a quarter of an hour, not a vestige of her being left. She had 49 passengers, including eleven women • and a number of children. The scene is described , as heart-rending, as. all were swept away. The captain and first and second officers were lost. The wreck occurred at a Bpot just two miles from w,here the Netherby was • wrecked nine years ago. The survivors arrived here . in a small ketch and ;are b.eing cared for. The news has reated a profound sensation, as most

of those lost had friends and relatives }n the colony. The Government sent a steamer thiß morning to search the coast. An enquiry will be held to-day. After an uninteresting debate the address in reply to the Governor's speech was carried without a division. A bill for the reform of the Council was read the first time. O'Ferral's frauds continue to be the subject of debate, and will have a further investigation. Mr Degraves has resigned his seat in the Legislative Council. Messrs Taylor, Balfour, Thomas, and Smith are candidates. The Government is unlikely to join in the Customs arrangement with other colonies. In the divorce suit Bishop v. Bishop, the petitioner obtained her verdict. None of the bodies have yet been recovered from the Duke and Timor j mine, Maryborough. A tender for £139,767 has been accepted for the new Government offices. In the action for libel against the Licensed Victuallers' Gazette, the plaintiff received £250 damages. A vessel has been seen bottom up between Cape Howe and Kent's Group. Seventy-nine entries were received for the Melbourne Cup last night, including four from New Zealand. Governor Ducane returned to Tasmania to-day. The firm of M'Callum, Neil, & Co., merchants, has suspended payment. The direct liabilities are £36,000. The south channel was lighted for the first time last night, and the Nubia was enabled to come up. The Argus has made arrangements to get the result of the English Derby through for publication on the same morning. The cable company anticipate that the news will occupy an hour in transmission from London to Melbourne. There will only be the weather to contend against. The cable has lately been broken between Singapore and Batavia, but is since repaired. Sydney, June 2. Colonel Contenley, another Communist prisoner has escaped as a stowaway in the steamer Egraont. The Government carried the ratification of the Californian mail contract without a division. The Commodore has sent a complimentary letter to Captain Grainger for getting off the steamer Macgregor and bringing her here. The French barque Charles Auguste has been wrecked in Torres Straits, end the schooner Blue Bell, while pearl fishing.