The New York herald., 1870-05-08
AUS TRALASIA.

Inauguration OF Stca unsliip Communication
Between sydney and san Francisco Great
Floods in New South Wales-Political Crisis
In victoria-Progress Of the War i'm New
Acknowledgement Of the English Troops.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 6, 1870.
The steamer Idaho arrived to-day from Honolulu,
bringing the first direct Australian mail. The Idaho
connected at Honolulu with the steamer Wonga-
wonga, from Sydn y, and Is full of passengers. The
prospects OF the new line good. The latest ad-
vices from Sydney to the 26th Of March and
from Auckland to the 4th Of April.
The Idaho brings lao passengers from Australia,
nearly all OF whom are en- route for England and a
very large mall in charge OF Mr.. Gersey Inspector
OF the Postal Department OF New Zealand aad com
prising the mails from New South Wales and New
Zealand. Twenty of the passengers by the Wonga-
Wonga remained mt Honolulu, for the reason that
the accommodations OF the Idaho were insufficient.
Tne North Transportation Company propose having
faster steamers on the Honolulu route Immediately,
and hereafter no Inconvenience delay will occur
The wonga-wonga IS to be followed by the City OF
Adelaide, and the City OF Melbourne which have
been chartered by Mr. Hail. who was formerly United
States Consul q: Sydney, and who has obtained
subsidy from the New Zealand government.
NEW SOUTH WALES.
Great floods had prevailed on the eastern coast OF
Australia, causing immense destruction or pro
pery and the loss OF many lives. The gales had been
very heavy and numerous shpwrecks had been re-
ported.
The ship Martha Rldout, for California, had re-
turned leaking badly.
Police Magistrate Faucet had been committed for
killing drunken man.
The estate of the Hon. John Robertson late Pre-
mler, had been sequestrated. His liabilities amounted
to $l.250.O0o.
The political affairs OF New South Wales were un.
important. The Legislature was in session.
Exchange on LONDON 1k per cent premium; on
New York, 116 per cent premium. Kerosene, So
GEMS. Tobacco frmer and advancing.
VICTORIA.
political crisis prevailed In Victoria Minister
Mcpherson had been twice defeated during one day,
and 1t was thought certain that he would resign.
Mr.. McCulouch, the ex-Premier OF Victoria, mad
been knlgh.ed.
The ship Eliza from Quebec, was burned In Hob
sons Bay the 1st of March. ii er crew were
res ue1.
Bi Is had been rendered and accepted for the con-
structIOn OF an additional fty-six miles OF the gov
eminent railroad for $l,465,0J1.
Robert G aistone. nephew OF the English Pre-.
mler, had been killed by fall from hor e.
The Victoria Legislature had voted pension OF
f1, 900 yearly TO the widow OF ex-Gov rnOr Darling.
Trade throughout Victoria had been very quiet.
Kerosene, SIC a SAC. Tobacco steady.
The ship Agra had arrived from New York.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
The general elections were progressing.
A portion Of The government surveying party had
returned TO Adelaide from Carpentara, and had
made a favorable report OF their labors.
QUEENSLAND.
The construction OF q telegraph line through
Queensland to connect with the Singapore cable
would be Immediately commenced.
The sugar and cotton crops In Queensland had
been seriously damaged by heavy floods.
NEW ZEALAND.
The war in New Zealand was dragging slowly
The rebe, chieT Tekoat had succeeded Ia eludIng
his pursuers ami retreated TO astnesses in The Ur
mera country. The government mad retained the
services Of the friendly natives o; New Zealand
continue the pursuit.
All oi the English soldiers had been withdrawn
from New Zealand.
The gold yield continued good throughout the
colony.
The following intelligence is published in the
Auckland papers OF April 2:Major R0pata attacked
Maraetipa aud captured IL after one hours gage
ment. The garrison were taken prisoners by the
Major. Nineteen OF the enemy We're killed and three
hundred captured The balance escaped.