AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 842, 27 July 1871, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

H. M. S. Basilisk arrived at Wellington on the 22nd, having left Sydney on the 12th. Melbouene, July 11. The ship Mary Shepherd has been raised. Captain Walker, late of the steamer Auckland, has been restored te his former position in the service of the A.S.N. Company, and now commands the Balclutha. Mr Whiteman ha 3 joined the Ministry as Postmaster-General. The collier Helen, from Newcastle to Geelong, is reported miissing. Sydney, July 12. Gilbert Elliot, Esq., lato Speaker of the Queensland Assembly, is dead On tho trip to the Hunter of the steamer Coorong, when near Sydney Heads, a gentleman jumped overboard and disappeared. It is supposed he was struck by the paddle. There is no clue to his identity. The Fijian Ministry have written to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, requesting the co-operation of the British Government in the suppression of the illegal traffic in aborigines fron the Polynesian Islands. Captain Macfarland, an old trader to the Navigator Islands, has been found dead on Rolfe's Wharf, it is supposed from apoplexy. The Treasurer of Stfiith Australia is expected to arrive at Sydney soon, to make arrangements to forward supplies to the Northern territory for the men engaged in extending the telegraph to Port Darwin. Shipping—Arrived: July 12, Lindis, from Mauritius, with 10,382 packages sugar; Golden Fleece, from London, ninety days ; May Qaeen, from Table Bay, June Ist, 15,000 boxes raisins, 45 tons sugar. Adelaide flour, £l6 10s. Melbourne, July 11.

The Government has appointed a Commission to roport on new industries, and instructed the Agent-Gene-ral in London to send immigrants from the south of Europe skilled in the manufacturing of olive oil, tobacco, and fruits. The horses Milesian, Seaweed, and Fearnaught have been purchased for the Indian market. There is some betting on double events. Little Dick and Hamlet are fancied for the Metropolitan and Cup. Captain Harrison's certificate is suspended for nine months for stranding the schooner Hero. The Gamecock,from Ameriea, brings 8500 cases of kerosene, mostly sold to arrive.

The torchlight procession in honour of the new Ministry was a failure. The charge of false pretences against Fisher, tbe pretended Messiah, ia dismissed. The case reveals the existence of a Polygamous Society in the neighbourhood of Melbourne. . A libel action has been commenced against the " Daily Telegraph," for statements with regard to this case. Mrs Q-eorge Darrell is engaged at the Theatre Koyal. The Warrnambool company are executing an Admiralty order for 250,(XK)lbs preserved meats. New Zealand oats, 3 2£d to 3s sd; maize, 3 s 9d to 3s lOd, in fair inquiry. At Hobart Town the V. D. L. Bank has declared a dividend of ten per cent. The South Australian statistics show a surplus of 328,000 bushels of wheat for the season. The Adelaide Mercantile Marine company's balance sheet shows a profit of £I4OO. There is no change in the corn market.