INTERCOLONIAL.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 276, 29 April 1897, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, April 27. Steady rain has set in, and there is now a prospect of a break-up of the drought. The immense steel tunnel to connect --the North and South Melbourne sewerage systems across the Yarra, 370 ft long and weighing 87 tons, collapsed while being lowered. The City Council have adopted a bylaw requiring everyone using a bicycle in the city to have a brake fitted on, and the' owner's name - and address on the machine. Sydney, April 27. The weather has taken up. The rain is now practically confined to the coast and the mountains. The Full Court delivered two important judgments. A civil servant dismissed prior to th 9 passing in 1895 of the Public Service Act, under which provision was first made that the Government could dismiss civil servants at pleasuro, sued the Government, claiming JE6160, for alleged wrongful dismissal. The Crown claimed that the 1895 act was retrospective. Plaintiff demurred, and the Court, by a majority, upheld the demurrer, and awarded judgment for the plaintiff. In the second case the Court held a bank responsible for the repayment of moneys in connection with a trust estate, obtained by the late manager by fraudulent means. Mr W. Christian, who, 18 months ago, under the auspices of the Polynesian Society of New Zealand, left to explore the ruins of the Caroline and other islands in the Pacific, has returned to Sydney. At all places visited he found extensive traces of Chinese and Japanese works, and was successful in securing many ethnological specimens, comprising numerous weapons and tools. As the result of his explorations he is satisfied that in the past an extensive trade was carried on through the -islands between China and Central America. He claims to have established a chain of evidence pointing to the existence of old civilisation that explain ancient civilisation in Central ~ America. Extensive inquiries weremado as to the traditions of the islanders, and discoveries were made of the early history of the Malays with regard to migration, all proving that the Torres Straits route to the Pacific was not taken, but that the voyages were made by way of the Caroline Islands. Adelaide, April 27. At the inquest on Richards it waa found that he was shotby Beard, who was comuiitteed for trial. Suspicions are strengthening that Mario, another mate of Beard's, met the same fate as Richards. Perth, April 27. The first batch of Parliamentary nominations has closed. Several Ministerialists, including Mr Throssel. Minister for Lands, and Sir Alexander Forrest, have been returned unopposed. A fire in the city destroyed the Apothecaries Hall and several other buildings. The damage is estimated at £10,000. Brisbane, April 27. It is probable that J6500 standing to the credit of the|Central Flood Relief Fund will be forwarded to New Zealand for the relief of the Hawkes Bay sufferers. Hobart, April 27. Steady rain is falling throughout the colony, and has broken up the drought.