LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1052, 7 March 1873, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MELBOURNE, Feb. 22. A Adelaide telegram reports that the land line which runs through Java has become interrupted, but that a speedy restoration of communication is expected. The discovery of stream tin in one of the branches of the Limestone River, rising near the Pilot Mountain, near Forest Hill, Gipps Land, is reported. From the appearance of the sample, it will probably not be less than 75 per cent. There has been scarcely anything doing in betting in Melbourne since the Launceston races began. Leo was the favorite for the Australian Cup at 5 to 1, but since his break-down in Tasmania Quack and Warrior have came to the front. The best odds offering, however, are 4 to 1. Napoleon Franks, the man who shot at his wife in church at Hobart Town, has been tried and aquitted. He was discharged with a caution from the Judge net to carry firearms again. Franks promised to bear the caution in mind. The New Zealand delegates had a further interview with the New South Wales Goverument to.day. Mr Parkes will not hear any arrangement in support of Webb's line. The public banquet given to the Governor of Victoria, on the eve of his departure, was attended by about 400 gentlemen and 150 ladies. The Hon. Mrs C. E. Bright, his Excellency's eldest daughter, and the Hon. Miss Manners Sutton, were both present as spectators. Advices from Fiji report that Maafu has quarrelled with Cakobau, and fighting is expected to take place. A telegram from Port Darwin states that an unsatisfactory state of things exists at the diggings, and the Warden has asked to be removed or he will resign. There are disturbances at the reefs. Police interference has become necessary. Many claims were jumped. Alluvial diggings opened. The Rev. Mr Currey, a clergyman of the Church of England, has been sentenced to six months' imprisonmnnt for celebrating a marriage without being duly registered. An effort which promises to prove successful is being made to form a deep-sea fishing company in Melbourne. A meeting of the promoters of the company was held, when a provisional coinmitto was appointed, and a prospectus agreed upon. It is proposed that the capital shall be £12,500, in 5000 shares of 10s each, and it is estimated that with this amount of money about half a dozen useful crafts can be fitted out. Amongst the passengers to Melbourne in the City of Adelaide, from Sydney, was Mr John Hunt, who has returned from a visit to the Queensland and New South Wales tin mines, with which he is very favorably impressed, both as regards the existence of rich tin lodes and the extent of alluvial deposits of tin. Diamonds exist in the tin drift as well as other precious stones, over a considerable extent of country in both Colonies. The Tebgraph Gold Company have recei'-ed the following telegram from Mr Lewis at Yam Creek: —" Gold on eight claims, two exceedingly rich, with three parallel reefs. Country vertical j clay slate. Westcott says he never saw so good show in life. Any amount quartz got easily. Expedite machinery " The Governor's farewell levee will be held on the 27th instant. Local wool sales declined. Wheat sales 58. 6d. Oats, 3s. 3d. Flour £l2 10s to £ls. The Kerosene market thoroughly broken down.

SYDNEY. The Kailway Loan Bill has passed, amounting to £1,100,000. The Assembly passed a protest to Earl Kimberley, against Melbourne becoming the terminus of the Suez mail. If Kimberly disregards the matter, Sydney will withdraw. LATJNCESTON. Leo won the Champion Cup. Suisse broke his leg.