AUSTRALIAN.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 38, 12 January 1884, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT. [Reuters Telegrams.] Melbourne, Jan, 11, Quarantine has been established here against vessels arriving from Mauritius, where an outbreak of smallpox has occurred. The Marquis of Bute is a passenger for Australia by the b.b. Orient, which left Plymouth on Dec 1. The principal damage by the fire at the Apollo Candle works was in two of the stillrooms, both of which were completely gutted. The loss is estimated at £12,500, and the insurances amount to £40,000, divided among twenty companies. The catalogue at the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.’s wool auction this week comprised 2,600 bales. There was a large attendance of buyers, and with the exception of 200 bales, all the lots offered were successfully cleared at excellent prices. The market is firm for all desciptions of greasy, low cross-breds excepted, and farmers’ lots were sold at improved rates. Scoured merinos in good demand, and parcels offered yesterday realised up to 20|d, and greasy up to 12d. Messrs. Symonds, Templeton, and Prof. Irving will constitute the new Public Service Board about to be appointed, and it is probable that Mr. Ogg, an Audit Commissioner, will be one of the members of the Railway Board. Brisbane, Jan. 11. Mr. Griffiths, the Premier, has made a statement of the policy of the Government. He announces that notice will be given to terminate the present contract with the British India Steam Navigation Co. for the direct service with Queensland, and that the immigration will be limited to 1000 monthly. The Government have decided to make a change in the Agent-Generalship. The Poll Tax on Chinese will be increased and the numbers allowed to arrive will be restricted. The trunk lines of railway will be extended, and a start will be made with the line from the Gulf of Carpentaria southwards through the Colony.