(Per s.s. Albion, at the Bluff.)

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3292, 10 July 1879, Page 2

(Per s.s. Albion, at the Bluff.)

Meleoxtkne, July 1.

The Government intend to largely diminish the police force in the Northeastern District, and the military will shortly be withdrawn. Many of the Constabulary return to their old districts.

The police have again been deceived respecting the appearance of the JLelljr gang at Corowa. The Age states thut Miss Kelly recently arranged with Oliver, the captain of the Victoria Cross to convey four or five friends of hers to California; stating they would embark at Queenscliff. Later a suspicious-looking man endeavoured to clinch the bargain. Oliver 'communicated with the police, but the gang,' evidently suspicious, ■'ceased their efforts. W. Wright and other Kelly sympathisers have been seen |in Jerilderie, the residents of which are uneasy. j . There is much destitution in Melbourne, 1 and also in many country districts. Over a thousand working-men waited on: Mr Berry asking for work. He stated tnat the Government were spending more money in the working-men's interest,than any previous Ministry, and could do ho more. I

It has been suggested that the Australian colonies, New Zealand, Fiji,_ ,New Caledonia, &c, should, during the Melbourne Exhibition, form a camp of representatives of aboriginal races at the Kpyal Park. It is believed that this novel spectacle would be a great attraction. The brig Alexandra has returned to\ Melbourne, after a seven months' tradipg voyage in the South Pacific. When off the Soloman Islands the second officer (Golding) and a boat's crew of four Kanakas were despatched to reconnoitre the island. A strong current carried the boat out of sight of the brig, which also drifted away from the land. Fourteen days after .losing sight of the .vessel the, bdat was without provisions, and had only :a breaker ,of fresh .water,and a little, tobacco.. . The water la,sted ten days, and r then they were without any. Land was* then seen, and a few cocoanuts were ojb; tamed by stealth at nightfall^ "=■ Tile 5 coasted for several days, foraging at night for cocoanuts. When the boat had beeri f away twenty-five days H.M. schooner Beagle picked it up, and, cruising seven days, returned the* boat and crew safely to the brig. ; v / y, .< f ;;•'}';■). id !•