MELBOURNE

West Coast Times, Issue 392, 27 December 1866, Page 5 (Supplement)

MELBOURNE

December 18.

Parliament meets on the 17th January.

A deputation of farmers waited on Mr M'Culloch to-day by appointment. He declined to give any information as to the intentions of Government.

Fifteen thousand acres of pastoral land, being a portion of two hundred thousand acres advertised in large blocks for squatting, were offered at auction to-day, but none sold. The principal banks have agreed to reduce the rates of discount to 7, 8, and 9 per cent, for 65, 95, and 125 days ; the rate of interest on deposit- is increased to 4, 5, and 6, at 30,60, and 90 days' notice. Breadstuff's more animated ; Chilian wheat firmer ; numerous enquiries show that shipments to England are contemplated. Californian, for local use, sold at L 4 10s ; barley, at 3s to 3s 3d ; make steady, at 4s 2d to 4s 3d ; Glenshee's Java rice was offered at auction, but withdrawn ; sales privately at L 23 10s ; sugar ranged from L 27 to L 35;3 5; Java coffee, 8d ; 3mall sales of maltat lls 6d ; the Rantipole's teas are selling well ; kerosene dull — sales of Downer's at 3Ad.

Messrs Dalmahoy Campbell .and Co. report : — Prime beef, 25s per 100 lbs ; 60-lb. shorn wethers, 12s Cd; 56-lb. woolled sheep, 16s.

This afternoon Saml. Benjamin jumped overboard from the Edina, outside the Heads. Captain Rolls lowered a boat and saved him.

December 19. Considerable seizures of smuggled cigars packed in furniture have been made here and at Ballarat. An influential meeting was held at Beechworth, to oppose the Border Customs. * The Capo papers report the deatb. of Lady Wodehouse. The only horses left in the Champion Race are The Barb, Volunteer^ Fishhook, Seagull, and Cowra. Eleven aboriginal cricketers are to play eleven -of the Melbourne Club here on Boxing Day. Private letters state that there is no truth in the statement as to stone-throtv-ing at Mr O'Shanassy's banquet in Tipperary. It is reported there have been large purchases of Chilian and Californian wheat for Liverpool, at 4a 4|d to 4s 6d for Chilian, and 5s net for California!!.