AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 399, 14 October 1874, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, October 3rd. Mr. James Gair, late of Preston, noar Melbourne, an old colonist is dead. Commercial markets are dull. Breadstuffs rising. Flour, £12 12s 6d to £12 15s. Oats dull. Quotations rule from 5s to 6s 2d for common <o good feeding, whilo up to 6b 6d is required for good milling. Sydney, October 3rd. The Premier and Postmaster-Q-encral of Queensland arrived at Sydney on September 30th, to confer with Mr. Parkes and Mr. Vogol with reference to telegraphic communication with Singapore and the Torres Strait mail service. It is proposed to expand the service, and employ swifter steamers. Tho questions of postal reciprocity and the registration of debentures on tho London Stock Exchange are to Le discussed. Tlie CJfc^ oi -A.dela.ide takes tH© next mouth's Californian mail. The Report of the Australian Mutual Benefit Society has been unanimously adopted. The gross surplus exhibited in the quinquennial balance-sheet amounts to £295,899. £14,714 is the estimated increase in value of Government debentures requiring re-valuation at the quinquennial period, taken at the market price, on the 30th September. The amount set apart for distribution is £235,185. The new teas, at auction, realised 2s lid per lb. A schooner, from Newcastle to New Zealand, put in dismasted. Adelaide, October 3rd A motion has been carried for a preliminary survey of a line of railway from Adelaide, to effect a junction with the Victorian lines. Wheat is steady at 5s Id, but none is offering. Forrest the explorer, has arrived at Peak Station. It is proposed to give him a public banquet. The Adelaide Government will place boats at the crossing places on the rivers en route for the Palmer goldfields. Jloba"rt Town, Oct. 3rd. The American Scientific Expedition sails in a week for New Zealand ; thence to Chatham Islands.