ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4454, 29 June 1875, Page 2

ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA.

ARRIVAL OF THE ALBION AT HOKITIKA. Hokitika, Monday. The Albion left Melbourne on the 23rd inst. at 4.48 p.m., and had fine weather throughout. She made the passage in four days and sixteen hours. Passengers for Wellington—Saloon : Misses Davis and Bingham, Messrs. Bingham, Hallard, Atkinson, and eight in the steerage. CABLE MESSAGES. ' . London, June 17. ltobert Benson and Co., of King's Arms Yard, and Rainbow Holleston and Co., of St. Helens Place, Bishopsgate-street, have suspended payment. Money is tighter. June 18. Borthwick and Co., bill brokers; John Strachan and Co., of Bishopsgate-street ; J. C. Eawle, of Leadenhall-street ; John Anderson and Co., of Philpot-lane ; and J. Powesherd and Co., of Manchester, have suspended payment. Other minor failures are reported. "June 19. The wool sales, after a course of remarkable steadiness, closed slightly weaker. 271,272 bales were catalogued, 130,000 were taken for export. An advance was established on March rates—superior fleece, ljd. to 2d. ; ordinary, Id.; scoured, Id. to ljd.; greasy, Jd. to Id.; half bred greasy, Id. to ljd. Coarse wools attracted special demand, and lambs commanded extreme rates. The Bank reserve is strong. Money is in less demand, but firm. The stock market is recovering. During a debate in the Commons, on English influence at Constantinople, several mowxlaorcj opolco gloomily o£ tlio .comli(.iull J ° f uf' Turkey. Paris, June 19. The Assembly voted an University Education Bill, which substantially confers upon religious faculties the power to confer degrees which hitherto have been the monopoly of the State.

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. Melbourne, June 23. The election for the Western Province to the Upper House, yesterday, occasioned more than the usual interest of Council elections The candidates were Samuel Wilson, the wealthy squatter, and donor of £30,000 to the University, and Anderson, a local one,. of some means. The squatter prevailed, and secured his election by a large majority in a strong squatting district. Early yesterday morning a fire occurred in the premises of Thomas Luke and Co., Kingstreet, tea merchants, which were totally destroyed, with the stock. The adjoining premises of Francis and McPherson were much damaged by water. Luke and Co. were insured for £13,000 in the following offices :—Australian Alliance, London and Lancashire, National, and Northern Victoria. On Monday night, whilst two men, Smith and Millist, were generating hydrogen gas for the lime light at the rear of the Theatre Royal, an explosion took place. Smith was killed on the spot. Millist was badly injured. Both men were blown through an iron roof a distance of 12ft. Judge Molesworth having practically declared against the illegality of Government selling the frontages to the reserves, the matter has been brought before Parliament and has created a strong feeling. The Argus proprietors have proceeded against a country journal for copying Router's telegrams without permission. The case has been fully argued, and judgment reserved. The decision will finally decide the vexed question. Parliamentary proceedings have been deficient in general interest, and until the Financial Statement early next mouth, no matters of very great importance will crop up. Barrett, for the murder of his wife at Carlton, was sentenced to death ; but as a strong recommendation to mercy was made, it is not likely that the extreme sentence will be earned out. The coffer-dam at the new wharves on the south bank of the Yarra gave way with a fresh in the river, and threw about a hundred men out of employment. Mis 3 Bolton has resigned her mathematical position in the Ladies' College, to take a lucrative appointment at Christchureb, New Zealand. Professor Barton, of Trinity College, Cambridge, takes the mathematical department. McEwan and Co.'s (grocers) liabilities are £86,900, of which £58,000 are owing to the Colonial Bank, unsecured. At a meeting of the creditors the manager of the bank declined to give any information, and the creditors resolved that the estate shold be sequestrated. They did not believe that the actual unsecured debt was so great. The second reading of the Land Bill was carried last night by a large majority. Madame Ristori is expected here about the 1 third week in August.

The Irish residents have resolved to celebrate O'Connell's centenary on the sth August, by a banquet and procession. Sailed—lSth, Czarewich, for Timaru. Markets very dull. Sugars improving ; Oats in fair request. Sydney, June 23. The Government have arranged with the A.S.N. Co. for a continuation of the San Francisco temporary service for four months. The Land Bill has been read a second time in the Council. The post and telegraph offices at Sofala have been burned down. Melbourne has been scratched for the Sydney Metropolitan. Sailed, 17th : Woodlark, for Hokianga. Newcastle, June 23. Arrived, ISth : Sunbeam, from Wellington. Adelaide, June 23. The Government propose to spend £60,000 on education, exclusive of the amount required for buildings.