LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1148, 6 February 1874, Page 4

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Wonga Wonga brought 14,000 ounces of gold from Nornhern Queensland diggings.

There have been heavy rains in the southern districts, with a great flood at Adelong. The mines were flooded, and other damage done to property. Two live ton guns have been shipped to Newcastle for the defence of the harbor.

The City Bank has declared a dividend and bonus equal to 20 per cent.

The Clarence and Richmond River Co.'s steamer Diamentina has become a total wreck inside Port Macquarie bar. She was beached after striking the rocks, and the fore-hold and engine-room filled. VICTORIA. The Parliament has decided that the House should be dissolved at the end of February or beginning of At arch. The New Parliament will likely meet after the general election early in May. The Land Department is to he thoroughly reorganised by the creation of fresh branches. The question of lauding importations over the iSydney border has again arisen. An action has been commenced .to condemn the Aurora tor breaches o'" the Polynesian Labor Act. The Tiienninl Parliament Bi'l has passed its second reading in the Sydney Upper House.

SOHTH AUSTRALIA. The Adelai lo Savings Bank has

tendered for £IOO,OOO four per cent bonds at £B7 17s (3d.

The Adelaide correspondent of the Aigus reports that the wheat yield of South Australia this harvest is expected to be prolific enough to furnish an export surplus of 130,000 or 140,000 tons.

The directors of the Mercantile Marine insurance Company recommend a dividend of 12A per cent for the half-year. Sir 11. Ayers, a trustee of the Savin«s Hank, denies that the hank has £200,000 lying idle. The Register says that the bulk has been temporarily invested at 2 per cent. Mr W. Peacock, a wealthy old colonist, has died at the age of 84.

The lightkeepers' cottages at Capo Borda have beeu destroyed by tire.

TASMANIA

Recently as the train from Deloraine was approaching Wcstbury, a man rushed on to the line, and put his head on the rail. The driver was unable to slop the train, and the man's head was severed from his body. His name is at present unknown, and the inquest has been adjourned for identification of the deceased. The brig Wolverine, which called at Bird Island, brings to Hobart Town the skeleton of a man, evidently murdered. He is supposed to be oue of the two men left to collect guano in 1871. The survivor reported that his trate had been drowned whilst gathering coral, and-much sympathy was shown to the survivor's solitariness of three months on the Island. He is now in prison, charged with larceny. The men of the Wolverine, whilst digging to protect their boats, unearthed the remains. Identification is difficult.