LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 773, 7 February 1871, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

The s.B. Tararua, Captain Hagley, arrived at the Bluff from Melbourne on the 2nd instant, having left on the 28th.

Among the passengers is Mr Dilloa Bell, one of the Home Commissioners. Melbourne, Jan. 23.

Since last advices flour is not so firm, and sales are effected with difficulty beyond £l4. Wheat, 6s 6d. Oats unaltered. Sugars have remained very firm to this date, but four arrivals yesterday from Mauritius have considerably weakened the market. Parliament is dissolved, and the nominations for the first batch of candidates takes place next Saturday; the polling on the 11th. M'Culloch addresses the electors at Cranbourno to-night. A large number of reporters have gone down. The Melbourne Gas Company's dividend is eight per cent., the Collingwood Gas Company's ten per cent., and the Land Mortgage Bank ten per cent.

The ship Essex brought four hundred and forty emigrants. A fire has occurred at Williamstown on the premises of Dobson and Elworthy, butchers; Butler, draper; and Suffern, watchmaker. The loss is £3OOO.

We had a heavy thunderstorm on Thursday night. It extended to Tasmania.

Chang, the Chinese giant, has drawn good houses. He drives out with the Princess, with four greys. Mr G. Cotterell is doing well at Adelaide.

H.M.S. Blanche has left Hobart Town for Adelaide.

The election campaign is now fairly opened, and numerous election meetings are being held everywhere.

Sydney, Feb. 1

Notice of a motion of want of con. fidence iu the Government has been given, but the leading members deprecate any action until the Government policy is declared.