LATE AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 526, 6 July 1869, Page 2

LATE AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

VICTORIA. Hugo Levinger's trial lasted two days. The jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter. The Judge expressed surprise, and refused to accept the verdict, it being contrary to his direction, and the case is to be argued before a full Court. The prisoner is allowed out on a bail of £IOOO. The Hon. W. S. Clarke (Money Clarke) is seriously indisposed. Mr Hugh G-lass, accounted the second wealthiest colonist in Australia, whose accumulations were said to have exceeded three millions sterling, has become bankrupt. His assets are alleged to be £300,000 in excess of his liabilities, and five banks have

agreed to help him through his difficulties, that is to say if the bauks see their way perfectly clear to do so without incurring risks. Intelligence reached Ballarat that a party of miners, working at the Berlin rush, have succeeded in unearthing three nuggets weighing in the aggregate 21 lbs. 7ozs. li dwts. A man named Force died in the Ararat Lunatic Asylum. Force, when a prisoner of the Crown in 1857, waa concerned in the murder of Captain Price, at Williamstown, and was sentenced to imprisonment for life. In 1865 he began to show symptoms of insanity, and was removed to the Collingwood Stockade, whence he waa brought to the Ararat Asylum in 1868. Amidst some cheers and laughter (says the Argus) from all sides of the House, the following notice of motion was given by Mr Longmore : —" That on Thursday next he would, move that a select committee be appointed to inquire into the report on the value of presents, and when and to whom made, by H.R.H. Prince Alfred whilst in Victoria, with the view that this House should resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the propriety of presenting an address to His Excellency the Governor, praying that a sum of money be placed on an additional estimate, to recoup the Imperial Government all or so much of the sum of £3500 as expended in Victoria by His Royal Highness in the making of presents."

NEW SOUTH WALES. Pearson, the bushranger, has been sentenced to death, but sentence has been respited for a week. The prisoner was formerly in the army, and belongs to a distinguished English family. The Tichbourne Baronetcy Commission sits next week. A fearful railway collision has taken place at Elcho. Fifteen carriages were smashed, and eight persons were killed, and a number wounded. The Tasso has returned, reported disabled, and the chief officer lost. TASMANIA. The Offley, whaling barque, has arrived, there having been insubordination amongst the crew. Gaunt, corn merchant, is insolvent. Liabilities, £GO,OOO. Extensive failures are reported, and (he loss is expected to fall on Melbourne merchants. The railway difficulties are ended, two gentlemen having offered to advance the contractors £IO,OOO to carry on the work. The market is firm, and prices unchanged.

QUEENSLAND. From a Brisbane telegram, we learn that Palmer has made a full confession of the atrocious circumstances attending the murder of Mr Halligan, the gold-buyer. A Townsville telegram reports that there are quite as many diggers at the Gilbert goldficlds as can find claims, and the number is amply sufficient to try the ground. Water is petting scarce, and a good deal of sickness prevails. The Bockhampton Bulletin announces that " another great goldfield in the north has been proclaimed." The testimony of the Government geologist, Mr Daintree, which is given with a freedom from exaggeration marking his other reports, leaves no room to doubt the existence of an extensive goldfield on the Gilbertßanges. A rush from the other goldfields has already set in.