VICTORIA.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 16, 2 January 1863, Page 3

VICTORIA.

We glean the following items of Victorian intelligence from the Evening News of the 18th ultimo : — There was to be a Calico Ball in Melbourne for the benefit of the various hospitals, Benevolent Asylum, and St. Vincent a c Paul Orphanage. The idea is a new one as far as the Australian Colonies are concerned. In the advertisement " Ladies are respectfully requested to appear m white calico, and to send the dresses they wear early next morning to the Exhibition Building, when they will be valued and handed over to ihe various institutions which will participate in the charity." A Mr. Carter, of Collingwood, shot himself on the 17th, with a pistol. The ball entered his right temple, but did not penetrate ihe brain. There are hopes of the man's recovery. A gatekeeper en Ihe Melbourne and Mount Alexander Railway has been killed. He was hit by the buffer of a goods-train engine. There has been a boiler explosion at Colac. Nine men were injured; of these, three' (including Captain Hancock) are dead, and three more are not expected to recover. The Ballaarat Star says, that wilful and corrupt perjury is of almost daily occurrence in the Police Courts. At the Bendigo Races, ihe Maiden Plate was won by Mr. Naismith's b- in. Medora. The Selling Stakes by Mr. Boutcher's b. g. Fred. The Bendigo Handicap, Mr. Bavin's Flatcatcher. The Hurdle Race was won by Mr. Schole's b. g. Ballaarat. From a return laid upon the table of (he Legislative Assembly, it appears that a sum of 1:30,752 has already been expended out of the Geelong and Melbourne Railway Loan. The Judges in the Melbourne Divorce Court appear to have plenty of business on hand. A destructive fire has occurred on the premises of Mr. S. J. Black, hay and corn dealer, and general storekeeper, near Sandhurst. The Chinese, a number of whom live in the immediate neighborhood, are represented to have exerted themselves in a very praiseworthy manner in saving property. Mr. Black is insured in the Australian Insurance Office for LSOO. The damage done far exceeds that amount. A murderous assault was committed on the Bendigo Race Course on a man named W'Mahon. Very little hopes are entertained of his recovery. The operation of trepanning had been performed on him by Dr. Boyd. The returns from the Victorian Goldfields for the week ending 18th December, was 27,858 ounces, Nathaniel Gardiner, who killed his wife n Collingwood on the 15th of November ;ist, was tried on the 17th in the Criminal 'ourt ; he was found guilty and sentenced o three months' imprisonment. Mr. Jusice Williams said there was no doubt the nan had received great provocation, but till he should not have given way to his emper. A fire broke out on the night of the 17th )ecember, in a cottage at the corner of ,ygon-street, Carlton. The flames spread o the adjoining dwelling. Within ten linutes of the first alarm the Melbourne re engine was on the ground. The Fitz>y Municipal Brigade also arrived in a lort time. The nearest fire-plug was 2i.i(LMrds from the fire, and it was nccesiry i^) bring into use as many yards of ose. The flames were put out in a few unites. Property to the amount of seveil hundreds was destroyed.