AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 160, 9 July 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Wakatipu.]

I Melbourne. Mr Sparkes, once in a good mercantile position, has committed suicide by taking poison owing to bad health. A gold watch has been presented to the jockey Williams who was instrumental in exposing the Salem swindle at Kensingtou Park a short time ago. It is stated tbat Captaiu Panter, the senior naval officer of the Colonial Naval forces, has resigned owing to the appointment by the Government of Lieutenant Sandy to the Cerberus. Sir William Jervois will report, it is expected, about the middle of the month. lie will then proceed to Sydney en rou'e for Queensland, returning to Melbourne the first week of August, after which he will proceed overland to Adelaide, where he will remain two or three months. He will visit Tasmania

and New Zealand in January or February next..-'" /.'-. -.. .- \ ■ Over a million acres of land were seleotedl last year. A handball match for the ehainpionship of : Australia has been arranged between Langar and Hannon. . The matchis for £100,^0 be ' paid to the winner of the hest s iiire games-. The Legislative Assembly, on the motion \of Mr Berry, seconded by Sir J. M'Culloch, adjourned as a mark of respect to the late Viscount Canterbury. T it. ---. , Adelaide. In the libel case, King, proprietor of the Advertiser, was acquitted;- The Chief Justice; in summing up expressed himself favorable to the greatest liberty being given to pnblio writers.. Tenders are called for a direct telegraph line to Melbourne. The Bank of Adelaide has declared the usual dividend of ten per cent. Tenders are called for the construction of the Port Augusta railway. The Government have telegraphed for_an extra, immigrant ship lp laave England:"* August. ! \P , - ■ The T Savings Banks interest &j-jfce past ~ year was £4 12s per cent. ' ..... . Sydney. Anti-immigration meetings continue to ho held. - ■ W. H. H. Davenport died on the Ist inst. of consumption. r , ' -j