AUSTRALIAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 139, 3 June 1876, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

t [Per RifcpAROOMA.] Melbourne, May 29. The Stevenson rase still ...occupies the -Law Courts. The firm is now being prosecuted for defrauding the Customv Twohill, the informer, has been submitted to a long examination, and was severely handled by ; the opposing counsel. ' ' " • \ Three large and important fires occurred on Thursday last in Melbourne. Thpy broke out. ...almost simultaneously in .Harper's Oriental Rice Mills,- and in Shaw's bonded store, two doors away in Flinders' street, and a few hours later the premises of S. Lazarus and Co. in Elizabeth-street were discovered to be on fire. It was a curious coincidence that the fires occurred on the very day of the Fire Brigade' demonstration' at Batlarat, at which the Wellington and Dunedin representatives were prespfat. The demonstration; as a whole, was fairly successful, but the : beat of good feeling did not appear to prevail ihr'oughout, owing to the manner in which;' the competitors were arranged , - , , The expediency of a second submarine c*ble to Europe is strongly advocated in all ' the colonies, and has formed the subject matter of despatches between the several Governments,., The long; interruption in communication will probably le*d to something being done, and mea»ureß will be taken' for a reduction of the present rates. -' '<*..•• i '■• Sullivan Is reportei to have left Victoria. , ' . The mail steamer is expected; about, the end of the present week. She will bring real. iheys this time, as owing to the cable inter-; ruption the mail newßis not anticipated. ' '■-•' In consequence 'of [private ,' ran- ; nouncing frosts in the vintages in France brandies hnve risen in valuej and many, speculative purchases In ve been ma Je. ' l