The New York herald., 1870-12-25

NEW SOUTH WALES.

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Receipt of European News Win San Francisco
Collision with and Sinking of q Steamer
Financial Measures-Gales aud Marine Dis
astcrs- -vict0rin-C ueensland-Tasmnnia.
SYDNEY, october 81, 1870
The steamship City of Melbourne, from Honolulu,
brought us Sunday, the 23d INST, five days later
teegraphic news from Europe than we had previ-
ously received via Suez. The interest manifested In
the war news was increased rather than decreased,
and the principal items Of intelligence were
promptly sent by wire to the press all over this and
the other colonies and published In extraordinares,
for which there was, as usual, q great demand.
The suez mail, with European news
for some OF the press to the I'd,
and for Reuters agents to the 81 OF
October, arrived at Adelaide on the following
day, but the news was generally considered TO be OF
less Importance than had been received by the Cali
fornia route. The Avoca (Peninsular and Oriental
Companys boat) arrived here on the evening Of the
2sth, and In coming up the harbor she came In COL
lision with the Waimea, coasting steamer, belong
ing to J. e. Manning, and then bound for Richmond
river with passengers and cargo. The W aimea was
cut In two and Immediately sank, but her crew and
passengers rescued, with but slight INJURIES by
boats which were close ut hand when the accident
occurred The insurances Of the waimea do not
cover collision. The Avoca, on leaving Hobson's
Bay, capszed brlgantne belonging to Brisbane,
called the Challenger, which was heavily laden The
Challenger has since been adrift, bottom upwards.
Her hull and cargo are insured. Her crew nave all
been saved -sa+ss>. sss4.., ~. - -. ~;
= His Exceency the Governor has returned from
Norfolk Island. where he found that the descac.s
ants Of the mutineers OF the Bounty We're neglect
ing agriculture and that the p1bhc buildings
erected on the island when y was a penal settle
IIinent were falling mtg aecay. Mr.. Egan the Post
master General d'sd on the 18th nst His place in
the goSelfuislt is still vacant, owing to the uncer
tainty which prevails as to whether the Ministry
will continue 10 retain Office during the present
session. Mr.. Samuel, the Finance Minister, has
made his financial statement, and 1t Is now exciting
warm controversy In political circles. He proposes
to substitute measurement duties for the ag ualoren,
and 10 impose income tax on all incomes amount.
ing to and exceeding f200 per annum. He also pro-
poses TO abolish the newspaper postage and TO
appropriate the revenue from the income tax
towards the extinction Of the public debt.
Most OF the merchants are opposed to the mea.
surement duties because they are calculated to i'm
pose unequal taXatlon on various articles ana
because they would nave protective tendency. it
is generally anticipated the divisions in Parliament
on the tarid will be very close, and the issue is
therefore doubtful A bill for the reduction or the
salaries or future governors to 200 Ier annum
has been read second time IN the Assembly. II Is
probable II Will be negatlved IN the Council. The
Matrimonial Causes bili, when passed the Assem-
bly, by large majority, mas been negatiyed IN the
Tne amount netted by the Agricultural Society az
the lntercolonial Exhibition Is under E3, 000 The
number OF persons who visited The exhibition was
about 20o,000
Mr. Greyille has been elected for Braidwood hav-
Ing defeated Mr.. Kelly by majority OF nifty nine.
Mr. Parkes the author of the council o. Educa-
tion, has lately resigned the presidency OF Council
OF Education, ana his place as president has been
supplied by the election OF DR.. Smith, OF the sydney
University Mr.. Parkes retains his seat at the
Board.
Heavy rains have fallen all over the colony, and
floods have occurred IN some places.
The Bank OF New South Wales at its last half
yearly meeting declared dividend equal only to ten
per cent per annum, in consequence OF neavy losses
which occurred chiefly In connection with business
In New Zealand.
Severe gales have lately prevailed along the coast
The schooner Nil Desperandum, an old trader be-
tween Melbourne and Newcastle, Is missing, and Ia
supposed to have foundered, with all on board at
sea. The bark Summer Cloud, another old trader.
has been wrecked at Jervs Bay The crew were ali
saved. No dividend has been declared by the Ma
rine Insurance Company.
The Gaiatea Is now out OF dock. and is to leave for
the Kirgomll Group ON the 10th prOX.
The Duke OF Edinburg Is at present on visit to
Melbourne.
parts Of the colony. In other parts the crops look
healthy and promise TO yield WELL
Tne returns from the gold fields are increasing.
New reefs have been discovered near Walcha In rhe
New England district
Parliament Is In session. The revenue for the
about to introduce bills with reference to education.
mining and insolvency. The jury in the Of Sup
pie the barrster, could not agree, and they were
discharged. The Commission on Federatlo has re-
commended that steps be taken to secure the neu
traity Of the Colonies In the event OF the war be-
coming general In Europe.
Great floods have occurred in different parts OF
the colony.
QUEENSLAND.
The Port Darwin telegraph Is being rapidly ex-
tended. The abOrigines near Herbert have been
rather troublesome. The returns from the gold
fields are improving.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Rust has appeared In the wheat crops in various
localities. meeting of teachers has affirmed the
cation OF compulsory character. rne party for
the survey OF the Port Augusta Railway has left
Adelaide.
TASMANIA.
The Main Line Railway bill has passed and orders
have been sent 10 England for the engagement of
gineers TO be sent TO the Colony. Parliament has
been prorogned until May.