AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5369, 12 June 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PBU CLAUD HAMILTON AT THE BLUFF.) Melboubnb, June 5.

The week has been one of painful sensation. On Sunday last we heard of the loss of the Loch Ard on the western coast and the steamer Blackbird on the eastern coast. The Loch Ard was a large vessel, which on the previous voyage out here was totally dismasted. On this occasion she had reached to within a few miles of Cape Otway, but during the severe weather of last Friday night was driven on to a rock in the vicinity of Stenbrooke River. She had 70 persons aboard, passengers and crew, and only two young persons remain as survivors,—Mr. Pearce, a midshipman, and Miss Eveline Carmichael, who alone remains of a family of eight. The father, mother, three sisters, and two brothers have perished. [Hero follows particulars, which were received via Auckland, published in our issue ol yesterday.] The bodies have been washed ashore and buried. The coast is strewn with wreckage, but no trace of the ship remains. The captain was a stranger to the port, and but recently married. The steamer Blackbird went ashore on the Ninety-mile Beach, owing, it is stated, to the set of the current and the derangement of the compasses. No lives were lost. The unemployed are giving the Government great trouble, and their numbers are daily increasing so long as the Government find them employment. Berry attributes the want of employment to the capitalists and employers of laber holding back. The Rev. Mr Macartney, who has had a chequered career as a clergyman, a barrister, a Fiji planter, a legislator, and a teetotal lecturer, died by poison on Sunday, thus creating a vacancy for South Gippsland. An inquest is being held on his remains. It was commenced yesterday, and was adjourned till Thursday, for an anlaysis of the stomach to be made.

The Melbourne Cup entries number 108. They are fewer than those of last year, but their quality is better, and it is worthy of notice that there is only one aged horse in the list. Hr. L. Walker has two Traduoer colts, which appear to hail from New Zealand. Miss Amy Sherwin, the Tasmania pritna donna, has made a great success with the Italian Opera Company. Mr. J. L. Hall opened the Academy of Music in “ Our Girls ” with success.

Stephen Massett gave an entertainment last night, and many old friends rallied round him.

Business is dull. Oats are scarce and wanted. A waitinglater advices, Mauritiusprices have advanced from 10s, to Xss. per ton for white sugars. Mr. Thomas Pearce, the survivor of the Loch Ard, is a son of Captain Pearce, who was lost in the Gothenburg while returning from the Northern Territory. Pearce himself was on (board the barque Eliza Kamsdsn when she was wrecked at Port Philip Heads. Svdnev, June 5.

Mr. Samuel Bennett, the proprietor o£ the Evening News and the Town and Country, died from the effects of tetanus caused by wounds. The entries have been received for the Metropolitan Stakes. Adelaide, June 5.

Mr. Kingstown has been re-elected Speaker. The address in reply in both Houses was moved yesterday, and the Houses then adjourned.