LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 141, 3 October 1876, Page 2

LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[by electric telegraph.] Hokitika, Tuesday. The Otago arrived from Sydney yesterday, and was tendered last night. She brings forty diggers for Kumara. Melbourne, September 26. The Government have concluded the negotiations for the Cape service, subject to the ratification by Parliament. Sentence of death, passed upon Ellen Francis for the Emerald Hill Murder, has been commuted to twenty-one years. The barque Elm Grove, Capt. Leddra, and the Newcastle, bound to Adelaide, were wrecked on Rabbit Island. Captain Leddra states that when the Elm Grove Wsjnt ashore, the crew took to the riggings, but were washed off or crushed to death. Captain Leddra and the mate got on a plank, and were washed ashore. They lived on limpets and crabs, but they

were reduced to the lastextremity when rescued. The beach was strewed with wreckage, but only two bodies have been found. It is supposed that the others have been sanded up. It was insured for £2,200 in the Mercantile Marine Co. During the gale, the schooner Coilman lost two men and the deckhouse.

The inquiry into the loss of the Dandenong was concluded on the 27th. The Board reserved its decision. The steamer St. Osyth left London on the 19th.

Brisbane. The Wentworth shipped 12,0000z. of gold at Cooktown, and ll,ooooz. at Townsville.

The Chinese of Cooktown have petitioned the Governor to refuse his consent to the Goldfields Amendment Bill; they have also petitioned the Emperor of China, calling attention to the breach of treaty by England. Newcastle. Captain Harless, of the barque King Oscar, reports passing the body of a female off Devil's Bay, dressed in dark clothes. The seagulls had settled upon it and eaten the face away. As the weather was bad, he did not pick up the body.

Hqkittka. Boats were towed to the wharf for the first time yesterday.