ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4425, 26 May 1875, Page 2

ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.

.ARRIVAL OF THE OTAGO. LATER EUROPEAN NEWS. ■ ' • ' [Per Press Agency.] The Bluff, Tuesday. The Otago left Melbourne at 3 p.m. on the 20th, and arrived at The Bluff at 4 p.m. on the 25th. She brings 28 saloon and 39 steerage passengers, and 452 tons of cargo fo r all ports. She sails for Dunedin at 4 p.m. on the 26th. REUTER'S SPECIAL. London, May 14. During the recent war alarm in Europe, England sent a note to Germany expressing a very decided opinion regarding the maintenance of peace. France thanked England for the friendly attitude maintained towards her. May 15. Wool is quiet; prices improve as sales progress. Adelaide wheat is quoted at 48 to 49 ; Californian, 44 to 45. Sailed : St. Osyth, for Melbourne. Paris, May 14. The National Assembly has decided to suspend the remainder of the elections, with a view to a dissolution. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Melbourne, May 20. The Melbourne, Moama, and Deniliquin railway is to be commenced immediately. The Government intend to fit out prospecting parties to explore the auriferous regions south of Gippsland.

Tenders for the final works in connection with the new Government House have been accepted for £10,700. The agricultural statistics for last year show that the area of land in occupation has increased by 771,021 acres; total increase of area under tillage, over 48,803 acres ; decrease inland under wheat crop, 17,041 acres ; net decrease in total area under grain crops, 7069 acres ; green crops also decreased 3420 acres. The average yields were much higher per acre than last year.

The Rev. Charles Clark commenced his new services at the Athenaaum on Sunday, the 16th, to an enormous .congregation.' . ;^ Among the first measures to be introduced next session will be Bills to amend the land laws and provide further railway extension. Mr. Bentley, late manager, and Mr. Hughes, accountant, of the Bank of New South Wales, Beechworth, have been committed for trial on several charges for misappropriation of the bank's money.

The police made a raid on the Corio Hotel, Geelong, at 1 o'clock on Sunday morning, the 16th inst., and captured fifteen young men gambling. Eight were fined £5, and the landlord was also fined heavily. Mr. W. H. Gresham, shipehandler, Sandridge, left with two men in a skiif to visit a ship in the bay, on the 14th inst., and has not since been heard of, but the skiff and oars were washed ashore, and it is supposed the three men have been drowned. David Gannon, the Catholic candidate, has been elected for Ararat.

Joseph Brior, carpenter, Carlton, has been arrested for the'murder of his wife by strychnine. The inquest lias been adjourned for an analytical evidence.

A correspondent of the Argus writes (in reference to the statement of Mr. Angus McDonald, of Kakanui) that he knew three men in Launceston, in 1856-57, who were Arthur Orton, Kobert Tichborne, and a third called Happy Jack. The new Roman Catholic Archbishop, at his installation on the 18th inst., attacked the Education Act. The Torres Strait mail steamer Brisbane arrived at Townsville on the 18th, but the news has been anticipated. The vessel brings a boy who lived after shipwreck on Knight's Island fifteen years with the natives. Sydney, May 20. The second reading of tb.6 Land Bill was carried by a large majority.

The King of Tonga, in consequence of the measles at Fiji, intends quarantining all vessels. James Rossiter, merchant, has assigned his estate. Debts, £17,000 ; assets, £7500. A machine hand in the Herald office, named Midderway, was dragged into the machinery and crushed to death.

The Chevert sailed from Sydney, with the New Guinea scientific expedition, on the 18th. The vessel was accompanied. to the Heads by the Ministry and a large number of citizens, and Anthony Trollope. An exhibition is intended to be held in Queensland. Burglaries and garrotings are increasing in Sydney. News from the Palmer goldfields states that good gold has been got along the rain gullies, but no new rushes. The influx of Chinese continues.

The Premier gave a very favorable reply to the deputation urging the annexation of New Guinea by the Imperial Government. He promised to consult his colleagues with a view to representations to Home Government. Brisbane, May 20.

The Treasurer has given notice of a resolution empowering the Government to enter into contract with any company, with head-quarters in Brisbane, for communication with the different ports of the colony ; subsidy not to exceed £IO,OOO. Five steamers to be maintained.

J. Skinner has failed. Liabilities, £37,000 ; assets, £13,000. At Mackay, a man named Sherry, on returning home, found his wife drunk, and beat her to death and then surrendered to the police. Adelaide, May 20.

The action of Board v. Government is pending. The plaintiff seeks thirty-three thousand pounds compensation for severance and loss of land.

Cavanagh and Cowan, the latter a local man, were elected for Yattah, defeating Treasurer Glyde. George Harker has accepted the Treasurership, vice Glyde resigned. The tailors' strike still continues.

: The Gothenburg fund closed at £9IOO. Very heavy rains have fallen in Adelaide, injuring the Botanical Gardens and the racecourse. The forthcoming races will be held on the old course. The Nubia left for Galle at 6 a.m. on the Bth. The China reached Galle on the 11th.

At Port Darsvin an absconded convict, named Atkin (whom the late Judge Wearing had sentenced to a term of imprisonment), was shot through the head by a trooper. Wheat steady at 4s. Id.

EUROPEAN NEWS per NORTHUM- . BEKLAND. Melbourne, May 20. The Northumberland arrived on the 15th, with four days' later news from Europe. A mysterious murder occurred atDungannon, Ireland. A priest was returning in the train from a Home Rule demonstration, when some one fired into the carriage, killing a young man named Daniel Hagan. The Empress Augusta was in great personal danger at Berlin on March 19, by a bus colliding with the carriage. Signor Castelar has resigned his chair in Madrid University, in consequence of the reactionary circular of Government in reference to education.

John Mitchell's funeral at Newry was attended by over 10,000 persons.