LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 367, 24 June 1874, Page 5

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Claud HainUton.) Melbourne, June 9. On Tuesday last the Chief Secretary moved the second reading of the Constitution Amendment Act, and the debate lasted all the week) with' the prospect of extending over another, fortnight, as not a dozen speakers have yet addressed the House. It is believed that the Government will have a majority on the second reading. ' ■ Nothing further has transpired in reference to the wreck of the British Admiral on King's ' Island. The ' Government steamer Pharos proceeded to the scene, and found no more survivors, but buried six bodies. The cargo is strewn along the' beach. Customs and other officers are in charge. Bank, drafts to the amount of L4OO were found on one of the bodies. At the'inquiry of the Navigation Board i the loss of the vessel was Btated to be du3 to an error in calculating the longitude. , The question of payment of members is to be brought before the Assembly on the conclusion of the Constitution debate. Forty members attended the preliminary meeting. The steamship Northumberland took over 300 passengers to England, including the Earl and Butchart's case is likely soon to be brought before the Court, to determine his sanity. Governor Ducane, after remaining a week in Melbourne, returned to Tasmania. A mining accident has occurred at Smythesdale. One man was killed and another severely injured. - Diphtheria is very prevalent in some parts of the Colony. Several deaths have occurred. ■Sydney, June 9. The Tarta.r sailed on Saturday, the 6th. The, Macgregor has completed' her repairs, and leaves on the 25th, via New Zealand. Admiral ' Siboul, who arrived by the mail, proceeded to New Caledonia to inquire into the escape of Rochefort. The, Bathurst .(.residents presented Bishop Quinn with 1,500 guineas, prier to his proceeding ,to Europe. . • : The steamers Balclutha and Lady Young collided. The latter was cut down to the water's edge. ' Madame Goddard will arrive from Singapore at the .end of this month. The proposed release of Gardiner, the bushranger, .by the Governor, formed a subject of debate in the Assembly, and was condemned at a public meeting. A private expedition is fitting out to search for Leichardt relics. Adelaide, June 9. Two want of confidence motions are tabled against the Government. They come on this week. . Four hundred and fifty-six miles of overland line has been poled with iron 'poles. A similar extent is under order. (Per Otago.) Melboobne, June 13. The Constitution debate still drags its slow length along, but will be concluded if possible on Tuesday. It is likely that the Government will have a majority of ten on the second reading. . Many alterations were made in committee. , The petition lodged against Mr Godfrey, member for East Bourke, has been Teferxed to the Elections Committee. The three Governments of New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand will now rate themselves; as' per arrangements, for a second cable. • ,' v Lady Bowen proceeds to England in September ; the Governor fellows in December or January to accompany her back. , The schooner Lillian, from Tasmania, was wrecked at the Heads on Thursday. The crew were saved. , A fire in the store of Lange and Thoneman was caused by New Zealand flax. Damage LI.OOO. Place insured. - . The libel action' against the ' Portland Guardian' resulted in damages for LSO being awarded. Major' Ropata wan amongst the passengers The wreck of the 'British Admiral sold for L 2.150. Arrangements are 'in progress to save the cargo. . - It is stated that the Royal Arcade in Bourke street, which«ost L 20.000 in building; has returned its entire cost in rents in four years. The new public buildings are to be-erected on the foundations which were laid some fourteen or fifteen years ago in the Treasury Gardens. . They will cost L 139,767, which is L 233 under the 'estimate of the ' Government official!. " . - The Costerfield Gold and Antimony Mining Company have struck rich gold-bearing stone, and antimony ore of the finest quality, in their '520 feet workings. The,, medical officers appointed to examine Mr Buchart have decided that he is now of sound mind. He still remains at the Cremorne Lunatic Asylum, and is under surveillance. Mr Buchart is charged, it will be remembered, with an extraordinary attempt to obtain money by passing forged cheques on the' Bank of Victoria. . Chinese skilled labor 'baa entered into successful competition with European Sm Ballarat. : Tenders ,were,. advertised .the" other day for fitting, up a shop in Bridge street, to be used as ■> rertaurant, Mid a party of Chinamen, being

the lowest tenderers, secured the job.' They are now busily engaged at the work. Judging from the fact thafrthe dividends at Sandhurst for the past week largely exceed the calls, it would seem as if a turn of the tide had taken place in the Bendigo district. The calls made during the past week amount to L 4.375, whilst the dividends declared come to L 7,603 6s, exceeding the calls by L 3,228 6s. The Mining Department offers a reward of LIOO for the discovery of a safe and efficient means of signalling between the top of a shaft and the several entrances to it, and between the several entrances, and between each entrance (separately) and the surface. The examination of the invention will be conducted by a board to be appointed-, and the reward will not be payable until the invention approved by the board shall bare Been tried for six months,

Stdnet, June 13. H.M.S. Challenger, which returned to port, resumed her voyage on Friday. After leaving Auckland, sho goes east to Japan, thence across the Pacific.

The Corporation funds are exhausted, and the works stopped A serious collision took place on the Northern Railway. Several passengers were injured. The debate in reference to the release, by the Governor, of the bushranger Gardiner, after several days' continuance, resulted in equal votes. The casting vote of the Speaker alone prevented a resolution of disapproval being carried.

Cohen, the auctioneer, is insolvent.' His debts are L 15.000.