LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1168, 17 April 1874, Page 4

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

BLUFF. April 13. The steamship Otago arrived here to-day, bringing Australian news to the 7th instant. MELBOURNE. April 7. The barque Ecliptic, coal laden from Newcastle, has been totally wrecked on the Gipps Land Coast off Cape Eldidge. Nine of the crew were lost, and only one lad saved after being four hours in the water. Two bodies have been recovered. The escape of Rochefort and others has caused much surprise iu France and commotion in New Caledonia. Some of the party were detained at Lewis Peninsula, others at Boutnea. Rochefort and others were allowed to go on a fishing excursion, and went on board the barque P.C.E., and were stowed away in the lazarette till clear, of the land. The captain of the barque denies all knowledge of their escape. The Communists intend to proceed to England immediately, Correspondence has been carried on between llochefort, Grousset, and the French Consul at Sydney. The latter regards them as escaped convicts. Grousset challenges him to demand their extradition. SYDNEY. April 7. The Randwick Autumn Meeting commenced yesterday. St. Ledger.—Tait's Sylvia, colt, 1 ; Rose D'Amour, 2 ; Fitz Yattendon, 3. Kingsborough won the Champagne Stakes. Myrtle won the Doncaster Handicap. BRISBANE. April 7. The Treasurer has submitted his budget to Parliament, suggesting that ad valorem duties should be struck out "Where practicable. He will abolish duties on New Zealand flax. ADELAIDE. April 7. Boothy's wheat statistics show a yield of 76 bushels, of 52 pounds, to the acre. South Australia will probably have a surplus of £95,000 tons for export. HOKITIKA. April 11. The Claud Hamilton arrived yesterday full of passengers for the Palmer. Seventy booked at Grcyrnouth, and the same number offered here. Only twelve were taken. POET CHALMERS. April 11. Arrived—The Tokatca, Barque from Hong Koug with 350 Chinese. WELLINGTON. April 11. The Good Templars who bad got up a numerously signed petition for closing a number of public-bouses failed to lodge them within the required time according to Act, and on presenting them at the Magistrate's Court this morning they were refused because too late.