AUSTRALIAN.

Southland Times, Issue 1680, 24 December 1872, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, Dec. 12. A heavy storm took place this morning. A telegraph boy was nearly drowned in a street channel. A solicitor named Dyer has been bus* pended for two years for using ilia clients' moneys. The movement for constructing a trans-continental railway is progressing, both in Adelaide and Melbourne, though discouraged by the Press. The conflict between the two Houses has been settled, the Council having given way on the Education Bill, which was passed as it originally left the Assembly. *

On the Stock Diseases Bill the Council also gave way. The Bill to increase the Judges' salaries £500 each was strongly opposed. The Government will rodeem the Carl's captives, and send them to their homes. An important discovery of new gold has taken place near the Tarwin River, Gipps Lind. Nearly all the diggers at Stockyard Creek have left for the new ground, which is reported to be fabulously rich. Stocks of twist tobacco are small, and prices are high ; black teas are wanted, at high rates ; aromatic is dull. Tookey's shares are quiet. At the wool sale 3 2300 bales were sold. Greasy fetched Is to Is 3d ; and fleece Is 5d to 2s 3d. The Chamber of Commerce have passed resolutions declaring themselves of opinion that a monthly service between the Colonies and America, via Fiji and Honolulu, offers sufficient advantages to justify the granting of a subsidy.' Sydney, Dec. 12. A movement has been started to shorten the duration of Parliaments. Mr Parkes last night introduced a Bill to amend the constitution of the Legislative Council. The country Press generally condemns the Council for rejecting the Newspaper Postage Abolition Bill. Oidium is reported to hare made iti appearance in the vineyards in the Hunter district. Business is very dull. Medium scoured and fleece wools are in demand, and sheepskins are in request at 9 yd- Tin ! ore continues to arrive in large quantities. At Newcastle, the School of Arts, Custom House, Bonded Stores, and cellars fully stocked, were destroyed, and five shops gutted, by fire. The estimated damage is £5000. The Queen's portrait ha 9 been painted for the Sydney Municipal Council. The Queensland >beep Investment Company is to-be wound up. The s Si James Patterson has been purchased by Captain Kennedy for Messrs Br >gden. She has received new boilers, and a thorough overhaul, and leaves for Wellington shortly. A woman was burned to death in Syduey on the 12th inst., by the explosion of a kerosene lamp. Abela-ide. Dec. 12. The Hon. H. Ayers has been gazetted a Knight of the Second Class of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Sir James Fergusson is betrothed to Miss liichman, sister-in-law of Captain Hughes, the rich Moonta mine proprietor. Captain and Mrs Hughes and Miss Richman proceed to England by the next mail steamer, and the marriage will take place in London. Great disorganisation prevails in the police force. At the annual meeting of the Btble Society last night, strong resolutions wen* passed regarding the traffic in South Sea Islanders. Good reports continue to arrive regarding thfl_aiatejrf the crnpa all over the Colony, both as to quantity and quality! One run of 4000 acres will "gjve an average yield of 25 bushels to the acre. The neiv crop is quoted at 4a lid for itii mediate, and 4s 5d for late, delivery. The we.ither is sultry. The English telegraph line is down. The break ia at Charlotte "Waters.