AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 762, 20 September 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PER AVAKATIPU, AT WELLINGTON.) Newcastle, September 12. The cutter River, of Newcastle, was wrecked on King's Reef, 70 miles from Townsville. The bodies of two of her crew were fojjnd in a native oven, roasted, and partly eaten, and their features unrecognisable. Svbney, September 12.

The Premier has introduced a Bill pro r hibiting the importation of grape vine cuttings and grapes, to prevent the introduction of the disease phylloxera vastatrix.

Melbourne, September 12. The Treasurer expects to obtain 4i perr cent, for the loan. The Associated Banks are opposed to any alteration of the interest. The Treasurer is accepting the highest minimum for small amounts, and waiting better terms for the remainder. The Associated Banks received a London telegram, advising that the alarm taken by the Stock Exchange at the amount of Australian loans made it hopeless at present to launch a loan. - The Banks believed the minimum of ninety would fail to float it. The Minister of Railways told the Assembly that 26(> miles of authorised railways would be completed this year. The steamship Somersetshire sailed today for London with 3000 bales of wool and a general cargo. The will of the late Mr. Henty was sworn at L 184,000. Bishop O'Connor, at Ballarat, said the increase of attendance at Catholic schools last year amounted to 3000, in the Bal- ! larat and Sandhurst diocese alone. Adelaide, September 13. The exploring party from Blue Hill are reported to have arrived at Tennant's Creek Station, on the overland telegraph line. They report finding five horses and evidence of the murder by the blacks of Prout's party, who started from Herbert last November. Brisbane. September 13.

A boat's crew of the isiaud trader Mary Dunn landed for water at Pentecost Island, when a. mob of natives rushed from ainbush, and killed two of the crew, both being white men. Four Tanna boys swam to the vessel and escaped.