PORT PHILLIP.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 584, 8 March 1851, Page 2

PORT PHILLIP.

At the annual meeting of the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum, held on the 17th, in the Mechanics’ Institute, a description of the building now in course of erection as the Asylum was handed in by the architect. It is situated about a mile and a half from Melbourne in a commanding positioa ; the building now in progress is to be 112 feet long by 52 feet deep, and will contain on the ground floor four day rooms,four malron’sand other rooms; on the first floor six dormitories, affording accommodation for 84 inmates, two bath rooms, &c.; and on the attic floor sleeping room for 58 more inmates ; the necessary outbuildings are also provided for, and provision has been made for allowing an extension of the main building, when needed, to accommodate 56 moie inmates. The building now in progress, when completed, will cost £3070, and £6O more will be required for paling in the ground. The building is expected to be ready to receive inmates in April next. Bite from a Snake.—A young lad, thirteen years of age, son of Mr. Williamson, of the Deep Creek, went down to a water hole, on Sunday evening last, and seeing something which he thought was a fish, put out his hand end laid hold of it. This turned out to be a large black snake, which was enjoying a bath. The reptile instantly plunged its fangs into the boy’s bauds and escaped. A man in company cut the flesh out round the woun !, and sucked it repeatedly as he led the boy home. When arrived there, Mr. Peter Young happened to be at the spot, and recollecting to have read ol the efficacy of ipecacuanha applications, he immediately sent for a bottle of the drug, which he made into a paste plied to the wound. The effect of this was that yesterday evening the boy was quite recovered. — Argus, Jan. 21.

The First Governor of Victoria.— Official information has been received of the appointment of Mr. La Trobe, as Lieutenant Governor of the new colony of Victoria. His Excellency’s commission will be forwarded direct to Melbourne.— Herald, Jan. 30.

The largest shark ever seen in the colony (says the Melbourne Daily News) was taken a few days since in the bay by Captain Edwards, of the Bussorah Merchant. In length it was found to measure “without stretching” twenty feet, when the jaws of the monster were open, three men vdth ease walked inside and stood upright ! / !— Captain Edwards took the jaws of the monster home with him, stating that he would be able readily to obtain a handsome sum for them.

A mob of horses, the property of the Roval Bank of Australia, was (says a correspondent of the Melbourne Daily News) taken to one of the Lower Murray stations. These horses had come from beyond Bathurst, the original number at starting was 370 head, but from want of water and the great distance (upwards of 600 miles) they had dwindled down to 117, when I saw them, the remainder having perished by the way. They were indeed miserable looking objects, and were scarcely able to walk. Had food and water been plentiful, these horses would have arrived in good condition, and realized good prices. In consequence of the drought eight shillingsis charged by the innkeepers on the Murray for stabling and feeding a hor>e for a night.