LATER AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4522, 17 September 1875, Page 2

LATER AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

We take the following from Hies to hand by the s.s. Easby : Brisbane, September 8. The Education Bill, with sundry amendments, has passed both Houses. The Governor will prorogue Parliament on Friday next. All the homeward berths on board the mail steamer have been taken; freight for clean wool is fd., and for greasy |d. The Premier was entertained this evening at a banquet at Ipswich. The particulars in reference to John Benton, rescued from the island of Malayta, and lauded at Bowen on Monday last, are as follows :—He is a native of Stromness, in the Orkneys, and was an able seaman ; when nineteen years of age ho was sent to San Francisco on board a vessel bound for McKean’s Islands ; he was persuaded to join four others, all Americans, to desert in a small sailing boat, with some provisions ; they left at night, and on the thirtieth day out, after severe sufferings, reached the Island of Malayta—the direct distance being twelve hundred miles. The natives destroyed the boat, and his companions died shortly after landing. Kenton was retained by a chief, who, esteeming his usefulness, had repeatedly averted his threatened death and cannabalism. A jiroscnt from Mr. Slade, Government agent, induced the natives to bring him down to the beach ; about 200 natives assembled to witness the interview ; after negotiating for his release, and due precautions taken, a boat pulled off with him to the schooner. Melbourne, September 8. The Supply Bill has passed for £700,000. Baron Von Saudeii has been found guilty on seven counts of forgery and false pretences. The Government have postponed the reform question till next session, thus causing considerable dissatisfaction. A man belonging to the Cerberus was tried by court-martial under the discipline count, and sentenced to five months’ imprisonment, the first week in each month in solitary confinement. The Executive reduced it to two months’ hard labor. Two miners were killed in the Perseverance claim at Bunninyong; and five men were injured from an explosion of firedamp in the Band and Albion Consols at Ballarat. lima de Murska sings in the oratorio of the Creation with the Philharmonic Society on Monday. The first prize has been awarded to the Government Printer of Sydney for binding and printing. Negotiations are pending for conducting Government business in the Upper House. The Assembly will adjourn to-night until Tuesday next, when the Mining on Private Property Bill will be introduced. Application was made to the Supreme Court to strike off the rolls au attorney convicted of larceny under a false name, but identity sufficiently established. llulo refused. A new ice-making machine has been papatentod. Wheat is lower—ss. 7 id. Barge sales of Bass’ ale, at £8 ss. to,£B 10s.. Candles, 9£d. Cargo of maize, ex Galatea, sold at Is. 9d. per bushel. Heavy storm this afternoon. Adelaide, September 8. The second reading of tho Stamp Bill was carried. Mr, Smith tried to substitute an increased assessment on sheep and stock, for stamps yTnit a majority of 19 decided against him. Mr. Rosa has given notice for tho appointment of a commission to consider the whole question. Mining ground at Darwin Reef, thirty miles west of Shackle, has been discovered, and is showing good gold. EASTERN NEWS. HONGKONG VIA BRINDISI. Hongkong advices have been received to August 11. The. Natal Queen sailed from Fooohow for Brisbane on July 7, with 217,0001b5. of tea ; tho May Queen lor Sydney from Amoy, August 3, with 80,0001bs.; Miss Kilmanscgg, from Canton and Foochow on the 6th, with 290,0001b3.; tho M. A. Holman, for Melbourne from Foochow, with 29,4001b5.; and the Canton with 220,0001b5., both on July 28 j

Alexandra for Adelaide from Foochow, August 'l, with 3‘20,0001b5. ; Benedicta, on the btb, with 268,0001b5.; and Prince Arthur, with 280,0001b5., both for Adelaide. Freight for the colonies is firm. The Alma and Dorothea have been chartered to load for Dunedin. The E. P. Bouverie, from Newcastle, arrived at Hongkong on the 9th August. The Ellen, from Sydney, on the Bth. Australian coal, sJdols, to 7Jtlols. There fs some demand for the produce of the best mines. Manilla, July 31. Sugars are weaker, and dealers are unable to maintain quotations ; tonnage has declined ; the price of hemp is receding ; consumers of coal are well supplied.