INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

West Coast Times, Issue 175, 11 April 1866, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

[LATEST BY ELECTRIC TELEGHAPH.] From the Melbourne papers. Sydney, Monday, April 2. A man named M'Crae killed his father, by striking him with a pickaxe, near Armidale, on Saturday. The murderer has been arrested. Mr Barry Sullivan is reported to have made an unostentatious exit hence on Saturday— some say to England, via Brisbane. A barque, name unknown, is reported to bejwrecked near Newcastle. Two bushrangers have robbed a cattle dealer near Tumut. A newly-discovered quartz reef, near Sofala, has yielded 1 lOOoz. of gold from eight tons of quartz The A. H. Wille has brought 1400 tons of Chilian brea'lstuffs. The America and Diedrich Pentzen, for Melbourne, left in company. The Louise has 2686 bags of barley, 7371 bajis of oats, and 7366 bays of wheat. The Birkby has brought 300 tons of salt. The William Melhuish, which arrived from London on Saturday, spoke on 9th January the Queen of Australia, from London, bound to Melbourne,, forty daya out ; and on the 25th of January the ship Wennington, from Melbourne to London, fifty-seven days out.

Tuesday, April 3. Clove was scratched at one o'clock today for the Leger and Cup engagements. The opera season has opened brilliantly. The house was overcrowded. Madame Escott received a perfect ovation. The Sea Shell, from California, has been ordered to Melbourne. The Upper House sat a short time today. The Appropriation and Loan Bills were read a second time. The up and down coast mail was robbed last night near Wollongong, by two armed men, who bound and gagged the passengers, and then rifled the bags. At the Home Bush races yesterday, a good 10,000 persons were present. The rider and owner of Kaffir has b*een disqualified for three years, for roping. 'lhe King Oscar has brought 400 tons of Californian breadatuffa. Private advices from San Francisco, of the 12th February, state that the colonial orders for breadstuffs were nearly completed. Eight vessels were then loading for the colonies, and five for Melbourne, with oats and barley.

"Wednesday, April 4. , The schooner Sprey, hence for Brisbane, is missing ; and it is feared she foundered in the late gale. Richardson made a successful debut last night in "II Trovatore," to a crowded house. The season at Melbourne will be commenced on the 4th of June. In the Assembly, the Attorney-General notified his intention to endeavor to pass through all stages to-morro>v a bill to relieve juries and stop new trials in criminal cases. The state aid party intend, if possible, to renew the debate on the resolution, to renew subsidy to ministers of religion. Mr M'Leays gave notice of motion that the subsidy of £55,000 per annum was too much to pay for the New South Wales portion of the Panama mail service. It is expected that a hot discussion will take place te-night on the question of state-aid to religion. Kenneth M'Crae has been committed for trial for murdering his father. Doubts are entertained of the prisoner's sanity. The schooner Briton's Queen is a total wreck ; no hope of saving anything. Scarcity of water has depopulated the Peak Downs diggings. A prospecting party has gone to examine the vicinity of the Burdekin River. The prorogation is lively to take place on Friday. The annual meeting of the Peace Society was held last evening ; there was a good attendance. Maize is very firm ; oats easier ; breadstuffs unquotable ; nothing yet done to relieve the existing glut of Californian and Chilian. The dramatic company for Hokitika Theatre sailed to-day. Arrived— Metaris and Alfred, from California, with breadstuffs. Sailed— Colonist, for Hokitika. The Albert brings 1000 half-sacks and 2000 quarter-sacks of flour, 2266 sacks of wheat, and 1856 sacks of barley. Adelaide, Tuesday, April 3. Mr Cavenagh, superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, has been suspended. The cause is unknown. The ship Prince Arthur was found to be on fire this morning. The steward was suffocated in his berth. No serious dam age was done to the ship. The police force is being increased, owing to tho numerous cases of highway robbery in the suburbs. The grain and flour markets are frightfully mill. There are no transactions. v Wheat is quoted at 7s. to 7s. 2d. ; flour at £17 10s. to £18 lOb. Wednesday, April 4. Captain Douglas continues to be Collector of Customs. The Government will, probably advertise for a gentleman qu«]j ;

fi"d for the office of President of the M irine Board. Wheat is offering freely, and the market falling. Sales are from 7s. down to 6s. 6(1. Flour is quiet, at £10 to £18. The marine surveyors who were appointed to report upon the condition of the barque Pacific, which arrived from Mauritius about a fortnight ago in a leaky state, have pronounced her (having been repaired) as sound and sea worthy ; and she has cleared out for Sydney with 2555 baes of svgar — part of her original cargo.