INTERCOLONIAL ITEMS

\By Electric* Telegraph— Copyright.) tFer Press Association. » l^ • " . - THE COAL TRADE CRISIS. . SYDNEY, Jan 13. Work at the Nori. hern Collieries is proceeding as usual. The outbreakis slightly brighter. A HOT , SPELL. ■ HOBART Jan 13. Extremely hot weather is being experienced, the thermometer yesterday registering 100 degrees. It was accompanied by a northerly wind. NAMING THE INFANT l .-..'■ MELBOURNE, Jan 13. An official name has been selected for the Federal capital but it will be kept secret until the christening ceremony takes place. . ■-','■ SMALL-POX OUTBREAK. SYDNEY, Jan 14. A case of small-pox is reported aboard vhe Mataram which has arrived, at Thursday Island from Singapore. The patient is convalescent. . OUR EASTERN ALLY. FREMANTLE Jan M 4. "The Japanese cruisers. Soya and Azuma, have arrived here from Singa pore. '