AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS PER S.S. 'CLAUD HAMILTON.'

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1778, 2 April 1874, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS PER S.S. 'CLAUD HAMILTON.'

(Per Anglo-Australian Telegraph Press Agency.) . * — . Mblboubne, March 257 The elections and the probable result to the Ministry are the prinoipal topic of conversation, but although the polling for the first batch of elections is taking place to-day, very little real earnest interest is being shown, The feeling against a raised quarrel with the Upper House on abstract questions is strong in many quarters, and it is not unlikely that a majority will be found against the, Government' on this question. Several Ministers have addressed their constituents. Tho polling for Melbourne' 1 constituencies does not take place until April 23rd. The population of the colony on the 31sfc December, was 79,0,488. The Government contemplate tho prosecution of Maher for perjury ia connection with the Buckley wilt case. A libel action, Walker v. George, publisher of tho Aifstrahsiqii, has been tried, in reference to pulliug in the horse Marquis of Lorn in the steeplechase, and a verdict given for plaintiff for £300 damages. The verdict _ has been much commented upon, and it is likely that an application for a new trial will be mado. Tho full Court gave judgment for defendant in the case of Degraves v. MoMulleu, Inspector of tho Union Bank, where tho jury had previously awarded Degraves £10,000. steamer 'Cyphrenes,' after discharging cirgo, sailed for Sydney. She is superior to tho 'Macgregor,' but inferior to the £ Tartar.'... ;.,,,. ~-;.. New Zealand four, gar coats sold at 92,'

The English cricketers played a concluding match against 22 of the Yorke's Peninsula, and won in one iuniogs, with 9.runs to spare. . The scores are: Peninsula, 42 and 13; the Eleven, 64. Greenwood and Jupp were the only double figures. The Eleven leave Adelaide by the mail on Saturday. Eoster,a spiritmediura, from California, is giving seances, but is not very successful. Miss Juno and Ireland leave the Australian stage, and proceed to England. Palmiere, the new prima donna, is scarcely up to expectations. She possesses a fine, well-cultivated voice; of much .sweetness, but nothing particularly great. A collision between two goods trains at Oastlemaine station occurred on Monday evening, but no one was injured. Three 'trucks and the engine were damaged. A rupresentatiee of a London and Melbourne firm has absconded to California, leaving heavy liabilities on the bank, and losses amounting to £6.000.

, The gymnast Lottie's husband was drowned in a water-hole while bathing at Benalla yesterday., A garrison of the Artillery proceed to camp at Sunbury to-day. The Volunteers camp next week. . ■

Heavy rains are falling. The Sydney agent for Siemeu Bros, has submitted to the Government offers to lay a cable to Neiv Zealand The representative of the Torres Straits line has offered to make Sydney the permanent terminus if subsidised.

The Government will not prorogue before passing the Electoral Bill. Encouraging news comes from the Palmer goldfields. Several reefs have been, discovered. Provisions are very scarce. Large numbers of miners continue to arrive. Several deaths- have occurred through dysentery. The blacks are very troublesome on the road.