AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 99, 25 April 1885, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, April 17. The Government are in receipt of a telegram from the Agent-General to the effect that the political situation in England is still very menacing.

Melbourne, April 20. The Government are in receipt of a telegraphic despatch from the Agent-General informing them that things look more peaceful at Home, but that the Imperial Government are not in any degree relaxing the military preparations which hav3 been on for &o:ne fcims

going past. Melbourne, April 21. A mild case of variola, or smallpox, was reported to the health authorities to-day from Hotham. It is announced that the Imperial Govern-m-nt have chartered the Peninsular and Oriental R.M.S. Hosetta, for service as an armed cruiser on the China station, and. the Orient steamer Lusitania for similar service in Australian waters. Melbourne, April 22.—The trial of Mrs Beacham and Frank flowarth for the murder of Frank Beach at Pettavell, near Geelong, was concluded yesteiday. Both prisoners were discharged.

Sydney, April 18. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday, at which further measures were taken for placing the defences of the colony in a satisfactory condition. The "Newcastle Herald" of the 11th April has a paragraph as follows: — "The American schooner Quickstep arrived here yesterday morning from Melbourne. Capt. Jacobs reports that on the 6th, when 25 miles from Cape Howe, he passed a Russian sloop of war steering VV S.W., coming from the eastward, but had no communication with her. She had fore and aft canvas set, and was steaming." Sydney, April 20.— The deadlock between the Pacific Mail Company and the Seamen's Union still continues. The captain of the Zoalandia is obtaining hands under the protection of the police. He refuses to accede to the demand of the Union that Chinese shall not be employed on board the vessel. Unless the matter can be satisfactorily arranged with the Union, the Zealandia will not be ablo to sail with the outward San Francisco mail on Thursday next, owing to the difficulty of obtaining noa-Unionist seamen.

Owing to recent telegrams indicating a probable peaceful settlement of the Russo* Afghan question, the Government consider it at present unnecessary to close the western channel of Port Jackson, as proclaimed in the Government Gazette of the 15th j inst. Adelaide, April 18. — Mauritius advices are to hand, doted April 20. Messrs IreJand, Fraser, and Co. s ciroular gives the month's engagements for Christchurch at 200 tons, and Dunedin the same amount. Freights to Australia rate at 30s to 335. The sugar crop has been to a large extent improved by the recent rains. The stock of sugar in hand w 28,000 tons, and the exports this season to New Zealand amount to 7,000.