LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 905, 26 December 1871, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

The s.s. Albion arrived at the Bluff at 7 a.m. on the 21st. She left Melbourne on the 16th inst. Passenger List. For Dunedin: Gun, Lees, Amiers, Johnston, Mrs Walter, Mrs Cameron, Miss Annie Lees, For Lyttelton : Messrs Tunie, Spencer, and Strange. For Auckland : Messrs J. Plunkett and J. Harris. Melbourne, Dec. 19. Mr Vale has been elected for Collingwood by a considerable majority. Mr Duffy has been recruiting his health at his estate at Sorento, near the Heads. The Eev. George Mackie has died after a short illness. Mr Ogilvie, his brother-in-law, died suddenly the same day. The funeral of the former was largely attended by representatives of the various sects and temperance bodies. Mr Foster, a pedestrian from New Zealand, has been matched to run Steward, of Sandhurst, 300 yards, 800 yards, and a mile, for £SO a-side. A collision occurred between the Alhambra and African Maid, a collier. The enquiry resulted in a decision that the collision was caused by an error of judgment of Captain Underwood in starboarding his helm after seeing red and green lights. There will probably be a civil action. Captain Underwood, of the Alhambra, has got his certificate returned. Bernard Lodinger, merchant, while leaving Melbourne,has presented £125 to various charities in the city. The eclipse was only partially visible, owing to cloudy weather. The Treasurer, with the Artillery Staff, is inspecting the defences. Another wreck has occurred, the City of Venice, Eedriques, master; some lives lost. The captain was censured.

Ciesere, of Geelong, killed his wife with a knife, then tomahawked her, and then cut his own throat. It is supposed he intended to kill the children, but fell dead at the door of their bed-room. Advices from the Cape of Good Hope give wonderful stories about the Natal diamond fields and fabulous finds. The Eclipse Expedition was a failure, owing to bad weather. Sugars are realising an advance on late figures. Elour, dull at £l2 to £l2 10s ; wheat, 5s l'Od; 4000 bushels were bought for exportation to; Europe. Tookey's, £42 10s to ,£43 ss. Sailed —Claud Hamilton, and Sarah and Mary, for Hokitika. The Zealandia, from London to New Zealand, was spoken on November 1, in 45 S., 12 W. Arrived—Alhambra, from the Bluff.