LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 808, 2 May 1871, Page 3

LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

ARRIVAL OP THE OMEO AT THE BLUFF. FAILURE OF THE NEW CALEDONIA RUSH. The steamer Otneo arrived at the Bluff at 4 p.m. on the 26th ult., with Australian news to the 21st. Melbourne. The Colonial Bank has taken up its entire reserve fund, and writes off two shillings per share to meet the halfyear's losses, and have divided at the rate of 8 per cent. The National Bank proposed a dividend of 8 per cent., and carry £4OOO to reserve fund, and £I4OO forward. Jones, of the telegraph department, won the challenge sculls. Two hundred and sixty bales of wool were sold at auction at full prices. Reductions in sugars are fully established. Breadstuffs very dull. Flour, £l4 10s to £l4 15s ; wheat, 6s Id; oats dull, 3s 8d to 3s 9d. The Colonial Bank paid a dividend yesterday at the rate of 8 per cent. The Annual Eight Hours' Celebration takes place to-day. A Cabinet meeting was held yesterday, recommending a Federal Commission. The question was considered also, whether the Parliament should pass a bill enabling the colony to combine With any other to ask the Imperial Parliament to pass a General Enabling Act. The half-yearly meeting of the Victoria Ice Co. was held yesterday. A dividend of 12| per cent, for the half year was declared. Total, 15 per cent, for the year. The grand art union in connection with the Sandhurst Easter fair, consisting of 3200 tickets, was drawn yesterday. The drawing commenced at eight o'clock in the morning, and did not terminate until four in the afternoon. Sydney. Eobertson. teller in the Bank of New South Wales, at Tamworth, is committed for trial for embezzlement. The Sydney Fire Insurance Company have declared a dividend and bonus of 15 per cent. There has been further iioting at the Newcastle reformatory. The Sydney Marine Insurance Company have declared a dividend of ten per cent. Sales of Adelaide wheat have been effected at 6s. 3d. The A.S.N. Company intend altering their steamer City of Adelaide for the Californian line at once.

Florence is scratched for the Leger and Cup, causing great disappointment to backers. In the Leger Lady Clifton is the favorite at three to two. For the Cup, Little Dick and Duke at five to one each. The diggers have all returned from New Caledonia, and report the ground as unpayable. The schooner Helen was wrecked on the Eichmond River bar. The French steamer Rauche arrived for repairs. Adelaide. Wheat, ss. to 5s 6d ; flour, £l2 10s. Nothing doing. Good accounts have been received from the Central Telegraph party. The Treasurer and Mr. Mann, M.P., nave been entertained by their constituents. Brisbane. In the Assembly, Mr Lilley's motion for female suffrage was negatived on a division, by 17 to 8 votes.