AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2118, 6 January 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.]

[Per Rotorua at the Bluff.]

The following additional items hare been received per s.s. Hotorua which left Welllington on Wednesday last: — The Imperial postal authorities decline to accede to the proposals that the dates should be altered, to admit of the mail steamer leaving Adelaide on Saturdays,but the Yictorian postmaster-G-cncral addressed a further communication to the P. and O. Company, suggesting that Monday should bo the day of departure. The day thus lost would be made up by the steamer on the voyage. The arrangement gives an additional day for replying to letters in Melbourne.

Italy is almost certain to send Melbourne exhibits in war vessels. Italy promises to act with the Treasury to form the best collection in the country. The Melbourne Cathedral will be commenced immediately. Victoria carried off the champion prize for the best exhibit of merino wool at the .Sydney Exhibition, Mr Gumming of Darlington earring off the gold medal.

The imports at the port of Melbourne for 18/9 were valued at £'11,077,565, the exports at £10,964,506 ; the aggregate decrease of trade, compared with the previous year, being over £3,000,000. Kelly and Leon have erected a handsome new theatre in Sydney, capable of holding 700 people at a cost of £SOOO.

Stephen Davies struck James Mansfield on the mouth for publicly defaming his wife, Mansfield bled to death in an hour. Two New Caledonian convicts were committed for trial for attempting to garrotte a resident of Wansby. The Lord Mayor of Dublin telegraphs that the distress in Ireland is of sufficient [magnitude to warrant the collection of subscriptions in Australia.

A serious coach accident occurred at "Willungron. The coach overturned and all the passengers were hurt. Some of them are not likely to recover.