AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4965, 20 February 1877, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MELBOURNE. From files to hand by the s.s. Easby we extract the following:— At a large anl influential meeting of the National Agricultural Society, called to consider a proposition of the New South Wales Agricultural Association to remove prohibition on stock, a resolution was carried unanimously, that, after information received of the recent outbreak of disease in Europe, this society does not feel warranted in recommending the Government to remove the prohibition on the importation of stock. An amendment was moved for nine months’ quarantine and proper examination, but withdrawn after long discuss'on. The Criterion Hotel property has been sold to the Union Bank for £30,000. The bank intends erecting new premises on the site. John Lord, the defaulter, was brought up at the City Court, charged with embezzling £7O. A remand was granted, prisoner being admitted to bail. His defalcations are said to amount to £3OOO. A fatal quarrel occurred at Stawell, between Edward Ellis and W. H. Richards, twb wellknown residents there. Richards struck Ellis a blow on the head from which Ellis has died. Richards has been arrested for wilful murder. The heat on Sunday 11th was intense, the thermometer showing over lOOdeg. in the shade at noon. Towards evening there was every appearance of a change. The water in some of the suburbs is becoming short. Edward Jenkins, well known as an old Parliamentary member, died rather suddenly. The Rev. G. J. Russell, incumbent of Buninyong, which incumbency he had held for twenty years, has died. BRISBANE. In consequence of the inadequacy of the support rendered to the General Church Fund, Bishop Hale has tendered his resignation, but at Bishop Barker’s request, has withdrawn it for twelve months. Fifty-five tons stone from No. 1 North Kinsbor’o Reef yielded, upon being crushed, 10750 z. gold. The steamer Thales has arrived in Cooktown .with 470 Chinese, making 1300 Chinese landed at that port within a fortnight. \ * 1500 tons of stone at Milohester was crushed, yielding an average of 2Joz. per ton. ADELAIDE. Several diamonds have been found at Echunga. A case of , Asiatic cholera has broken out at Kadina. A telegram has been received from the Western Australian telegraph party stating that they have succeeded in connecting the survey between Eucla and the present western extremity of the line, ' The Minister for Lands, having agreed to plans for a concert hall, to be erected on the Supreme Court Reserve, the building will be forthwith commenced. The scarcity of water is being felt in some of the country districts. ■ There appears a prospect of a change in the weather, but it is still very hot. . i The Rosstown sugar refinery is about commencing operations. The South Australian Insurance, Company shows a net profit, for the half-year, of £7BOO. A heavy demand for wheat is springing up from Sydney, owing, to advices that the New Zealand crop is damaged by rains. Large sales have taken place at 6s. 2d.