LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 761, 10 January 1871, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

The s.s. Tararua, which was announced in Saturday's issue as having left Melbourne on the 29th ultimo reaching Bluff Harbor on Thursday last, encountered a succession of strong easterly gales, and heavy head seas for fifty-three hours. She brings 102 tons or cargo, including 9000 bags of sugar for Dunedin : six cabin and twenty-nine steerage passengers, and 27 horses for various ports. Passengers—For' Dunedin: Mr Tlowe, Mr Sydney, Mr Thomas. For Lvttelton: Mr W. H. Hem. For Wellington, Mr H. P. Fergie, Mr Menchio, and twenty-eight in the

steerage

29 tons of cargo for Wellington. The s.s. Omeo arrived at Melbourne at 10 a.m. on the 29th December.

-Melbourne, Dec. 2S

Parliament was prorogued to-day. The Publican's Bill has passed. Beer licenses are abolished ; country hotel licenses reduced to £10; concert and dancing saloons at hotels prohibited. The general elections commence in February. The Payment of Members Act is inducing a great number of candidates to give early intimation of their readiness to stand.

Sydney, Dee. 28: I Martin and Wilson have been reelected without opposition, r r \ - '._.■ O'Connor is opposing "Robertson at Windeyer, but his chances are considered small. ' • 18 ■ ; - . '

Flour remains steady at £l2 10s Feeding grains dull and without altera tion. l

The Banks induced the maximum interest on deposits to 4 per cent, j

H.M.S. Blanche has arrived' at Hobart Town, - Her . captain is the guest of Governor DuCane.