INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4234, 15 October 1874, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

VICTORIA. Melboubne, October S. The political events of the last few days have been unimportant, but when the second reading of the Customs Duties Bill comes on—audit will probably be moved this evening—Sir James McCulloch wiU move as an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. If such a motion is carried, it mil, of course, occasion a change of Ministry. Some progress has been made with the Estimates, and strong opposition is offered to the largely increased expenditure proposed in the Lauds Department. Mr. Francis proceeds to England in the ship Renown, in about five weeks, and will spend a year there. At the request of his constituents, he will retain his seat for Richmond till his return. Mr. Vogel has arrived, having completed his business in Sydney as to the telegraphic cable to New Zealand, and that from Normautown to Singapore. The German scientific expedition has sailed for the Auckland Islands. The Mayor’s fancy dress ball was attended by fifteen hundred persons.

A movement has now been begun to open all public museums and libraries on Sundays, but it is meeting with opposition. Judn-e Bunny has been temporarily appointed Commissioner of Titles, vide Carter, who has resigned. On Saturday morning last a man named Husler, who formerly was a resident of New Zealand, murdered his wife in Richmond, and then attempted to commit suicide with laudanum. He is recovering, but has not yet been able to appear at the inquest. The parties occupied a respectable position, and hot long since they received £IOOO from home, since which Husler has been drinking to excess. The Rev. Charles Clark, the popular preacher, resigns his pastorate at the end of the present year. The Hospital Sunday collections amounted to over £4OOO. A further portion, of the Dunolly railway, thirteen miles in length, has been opened for traffic.

The late Hattie Sheppard's, mother did not long survive her daughter. She died yesterday.

The revenue retui’ns for the quarter were issued yesterday. They show that the amount received for that period was £1,005,845, being an increase of £3923 on the quarter. On the year the increase is £259,872. The interest is increasing in the forthcoming race for the Melbourne Cup. Numbers of horses are arriving. Lurline is quoted at 100 to 8. She has been so much fancied in her gallops that she is likely to come to a much shorter price. There is no chance of, a Victorian cricketing team visiting New Zealand this season. Splendid summer weather is now being experienced. The Pera, with the English mails via Suez, is expected to reach Melbourne on the IGth or 17 th instant. Breadstuffs are firm. Flour has been sold at up to £l3, and wheat at 6s. 3d. Oats are in good request at ss, 3d. to ss. 4d. Hops still sell freely at full rates ; New Zealand quoted at Is. Id. Devoe’s kerosene sold at Is. 2d. for fine. Hennessy's pale brandy 95., showing a - There is a demand for tinned fish j particularly salmon ; and also for dried fruits, currants, and eleme raisins.

NEW SOUTH WADES. Sydney, October S. % The population of the colony has been ascertained to be 570,000. Hall’s estate has bean sequestrated, the rule being made absolute. Mr. McLevie, Inspector-General of Police, is dead. The schooner Colonist, from Newcastle for New Zealand, has arrived here dismasted. 'At Grafton regatta Sydney won the gig race easily, and Rush the champion sculler’s race by a quarter of a mile. Five started. A letter from Noumea states that a German named Wallanstein has been arrested there for aiding the escape of Rochefort. A shepherd named Wellington has been murdered on the Warrigal station. His body has been terribly mutilated. The supposed murderer has been arrested. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adelaide, October 8. Forrest, the West Australian explorer, crossed from Champion Bay, and passed over six hundred miles of wretched desert country. Water was scarce, and the natives numerousThe party were three times attacked, but drove the natives off, and they are all in good health. The revenue for the past quarter is £260,090. The business of Parliament is nearly over, and the Appropriation Bill has been introduced.