AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 400, 17 October 1874, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, October Bth. The political events of the last few days have been unimportant ; but when the second reading of the Customs Duties Bill is moved, probably this evening, Sir James'M'Culloch wiilmove an amendment that it be read that day six mouths. If carried, it will cause a change of Ministry. Some progress has been made with the estimates, and strong opposition has been offere to the large increased expenditure in the .Lauds department. Mr. Francis proceeds to England, per Renown, in about live weeks ; he remains one year. At the request of his constituents he will not resign his seat. The movement to open all public museums and libraries on Sundays is meeting with opposition. The Rev. Charles Clark, the popular Baptist preacher, resigns his pastorate at the end of this year. The Hospital Sunday collections amounted to over £4000. The Mayor's fancy ball was attended by about 1000 persons. Further railway extension to Dunolly, 13 miles, was opened on Tuesday. The quarter's revenue , returns, issued last night, show the amount received for the quarter to be £1,005,845, being- an increase of £3923 on the quarter, and £259,872 on the year. There is no chance of the Victorian Cricketing Team visiting New Zealand this sesaon. The Pera, with^the English mails, is expected to reach here on the 36th or 17th inst. Breadstnffs are firm. Flour has been sold up to £13 : wheat, 6s 3d ; oats, good, in request, at 4s 3d to 5s 4d. Hops still sell freely, at full rates — New Zealand, 3 s Id. Devoe's kerosene has been sold at Is 2d. Fine Hennessy's pale brandy, 9s, showing a decline. There is a demand for tinned fish, particularly salmon, and also for dried fruits, currants, and Elme raisins. Sydney, October Bth. The population of the colony is 570,000. Hall's estato has been sequestrated, the rule being made absolute. A letter from Noumea says that a German named Wallenstein was arrested there for aiding in the escape of Rochefort. A shepherd named Wellington has been murdered on Warrogal Station. The body was terribly mutilated. A man has been arrested as the perpetrator. Adelaide, October Bth. Mr. Forrest, the Western Australian explorer, has arrived at Peake Station, having crossed from Champion Bay and passed over 500 miles of wretched desert country. i Water was scarce, and the natives numerous. He was three times attacked, but drove them off. - All the party are in good health. The telegraph stftamship Faraday has j returned to Queenstown. On October 2nd, during a gale, the cable parted and has not been recovered. The wool sales have closed. A -firm advance has been maintained throughout the series. The bulk has been taken by home buyers, but 120,000 bales were taken for export, including 4000 for America. The next sales ate fixed for November rYth. Balme and Co., brokers, report prospects favourable, and estimate the increased import during the year at 100,000 bales. An advance in discount is expected. A fall of two shillings a quarter on English wheat has taken place. Adelaide is quoted at 62s to 545 ; New Zealand, 42a to 19s ; Tasmanian, 48s to 51s. October 6th. The Victorian 4 per cent, loan of a million and a half is announced. Berlin, October 6th. " Count Arnheim was arrested at the instigation of Prinoe Bismarck for detaining documents,

Paris, October 6th. The elections to the Council shew a general majority of Conservatives, Madrid, October 6th. 'The Right Hon. A. H. Layard, English Ambassabor, and M. Chambordy, French Minister, have presented their credentials to Marshal Serrano, as president of the Spanish Republic. It is reported that Don Carlos was wounded during a mutiny, Rome October 2nd. The French frigate Orinoque, which, for some time past has been placed at the disposal of the Pope has been recalled from Civita Vecchia. * Vienna, October sth. A pastoral issued by Cardinal Ranscher, Archbishop of Vienna, accuses Prussia of attempting to extirpate Christianity, and i compares the Paris Commune to the revolution in Buenos -Ayres in 1859, nnder the leadership of General Mitre.