AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2455, 31 January 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Per Arawata at the Bluff.) Mur.noDßN'K, Jan. 2G. 11.M.5. Mirande, a new addition to the Australian squadron, arrived at Melbourne on Saturday, and replaced the Danae which has been ordered home. The Finisterre, French war steamer, left Melbourne on Jan, 22 for a cruise off Tasmania. A London telegram states that the Antwerp wool sales opened with an average decline all round of live ccntuins.

The Gulf of Finland, a steamer of the Thames and Mersey line, left the East

Indian Docks .on Dec 'inher 11 for the Australian ports. Other steamers of the same line will follow at regular in tervals. .;

The purchasers of the wreck of the HerefoM are availing themselves of the present weather, and are rapidly getting the cargo out of the-ship.' Two steamtugs are busily employed, and 200 tons of cargo were brought to Melbourne in one day. Divers are required for further work. There are strong hopes of boating the vessel. The Steam Navigation Board held an inquiry into the cause of the wreck yesterday, and after briefly hearing the evidence decided that whilst the captain was guilty of an error of judgment he was not guilty of wilful default, and his certificate was consequently returned.

NEW SOUTH WALES,

In Committee the Conference on Saturday discussed the questions of South Sea outrages, debtors and wife deserters, and Chinese immigration. On Monday the Conference resumed the consideration of the Federal Council Bill. Mr Mann, of South Australia, proposing several important amendments on the Bill, a division took place, resulting in both sides being equal. The measure was therefore virtually abandoned, although it is probable that Mr Parkes may bring the, matter up in another form in the New South Wales Parliament. Mr Mann’s motion for a uniform colonial tariff was carried, the Victorian delegates dissenting. A motion was afterwards passed to the effect that the special circumstances of each colony be considered in passing the tariff. In reference to the “ Herald’s” complaint of not receiving full reports of tfie Conference, a circular from Mr Parkes on the subject was warmly commented upon by Mr Wrenspordsly, but ultimately the matter ended in banter. The barque Cordillera, 842 tons* from Sydney for San Francisco, was wrecked yesterday at Cape Bowling, on the Northern Australian Coast. The latest news from Samoa states that the schooner Active was totally wrecked at Apia. The anti-King party are gaining headway against their opponents. The proceedings of Parliament are entirely unimportant and only of local interest.