LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 563, 5 October 1869, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) (feom our own coebespondent.) HoKITIKA, Oct. 4. Melbourne, Sept. 28. The Ministerial elections are causing great excitement. Vale is opposing Reeves for Collingwood, and Ralph is opposing Byrne. The news by the English mail has improved trade. The running of third-class railway carriages has been resumed. The continued dry weather is causing great uneasiness. The Bishop has procJaimed. October 7th for special prayer for rain. Flour is falling. The present price ia from £l7 to £lB. Oats are wanted. Maize is 5s 3£d. Kerosene is rising ; is selling at present at Is ll|d. Sydney, Sept. 27. In reference to the inquiry attending the circumstances attending the seizure of the schooner Daphne at the South Sea Islands, His Honor Chief Justice Stephens has expressed his opinion that the islanders found on board that vessel wore neither slaves nor intended for slavery. Maize is quoted at 4s 3d, with a better supply. Van Attems, whose swindles caused such great sensation, both here and in (Queensland, has been sentenced to twenty-two months' imprisonment at Sourabaya. _ The Bank of New South Wales lias dismissed two clerks at Maitland in consequence of the recent loss of notes. Alfred Warren, draper, is insolvent. It is reported that a diamond weighing 50 carats has been found in Verell. The constituents of Messrs Walker and Piddington have entertained them at a public dinner.