INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 17

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne. November 2.

At the inquiry into the cause of the explosion at the powder factory at Footscray, Mr Hake (.inspector of explosives) stated that he found particles of grit and iron in the blank cartridges. He declared that such powder was liable to explode at a reduced pressure.

November 4.

At the Australasian Axemen's Carnival Mitchell, of New Zealand, won the LIOO handicap for under-hand chopping.

November 6.

Daring his two years' visit to England and the Continent Mr Donald M'lntosb, the Victorian pigeon shot, now on his return to Melbourne, won money and trophies of the gross valne of L 3750.

November 8.

The trial shipment of various articles of Victorian produce and manufacture sent to the Transvaal proved a failure, with the exception of a small parcel of bacon, which met with ready sale. The goods yielded no profit to the exporters, who had to compete against sea freights, which are 14s per ton less from Great Britain than from Australia.

The V.R 0. made L 10.500 profit over the late meeting, or over L2OOO more than last year.

Sydney, November 2. At yenterdayfl wool wles the previou*

weeks indications of depression were more pronounced. Nearly all Qualities of merino were distinctly weaker, broken and bulky pieces alone holding their own. While tha greater part of the colony is experiencing great heat, Kiandra has had a heavy fall of snow.

November 3.

Over 100 delegates, representing the Australasian colonies', left by the Mararoa to take part in the Wesleyan Triennial Conference at Auckland.

la the Legislative Assembly yesterday Mr Lyne moved a motion of censure in reference to the Lucknow strike. He strongly condemned the Minister for Mines' (Mr S. Smith) minute, which, he said, outraged all .precedents by attempting to influence' the mining warden. It was a diabolical and cowardly outrage on all fair play and political decency. Premier Reid replied in a strong defence. He said that the Minister had honestly carried out the power placed in his hands, and the Government were willing to stand or fall on the propriety of the issue of the minute. The debate stands adjourned. r • After Mr Lyne's speech the Labour party held a caucus, and unanimously decided to support the Government. The result is, therefore, a foregone conclusion.

November 4.

la the Legislative Assembly Mr Lyne's motion of censure was defeated by 65 to 33. The Labour party voted with' the Gjvernment. Mr M'Gowan,' as their spokesman, blamed the warden, not the Minister for Mines, for acting partially. The Labour party, he said, determined to have an inquiry, but Mr Lyne's motion was intended to bark that inquiry.

November 5, The quarterly railway revenue decreased by L 38.000, compared with the corresponding quarter last year, which is attributed to the falling off in the wool and live stock traffic, the result of the late drought.

A number of gentlemen interested in meat freezing witnessed a trial of a system invented by Dr Brittan, of Christchurch. The inventor was congratulated on the result.

Captain Jones, of the warship Katoomba, has been invalided Home. Captain Carter, of the Orlando, succeeds him.

Eastern news states that two mission stations in Kinhen belonging to the Plymouth Brethren have been destroyed by fanatical Chinese. Five lady teachers had a narrow escape and Bought refuge in the house of a European, which was burned. Eventually they managed to escape to the bills.

The Catholic mission was also attacked, bat before serious damage was > done the authorities sent a force and suppressed the rioting.

In the Legislative Assembly the financial debate has been concluded. The Premier annonnced that up to date L 6130 had been expended in connection with the Federal Convention, L 2200 being for" the entertain* ment of the visiting delegates. >-

Daring the -performance of " The Prairie King " at the' Lyceum Theatre Misa Maud Williamson narrowly escaped drowning in the water scene. She got caught underneath an overturned cannon, and was in an unconscious condition when rescued.

Anderson has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for embezzling moneys belonging to Henry Ball and Co. Brisbane, November 2.

A severe hailstorm passed over the city. The stones were very large, causing wholesale destruction of windows.

A girl named Jameson fell into Ihe water from off the South Brisbane wharf yesterday. Mr Easfcon, second officer of the ship Nairnshire, jumped into the river and attempted to rescue the girl, but unfortunately both were drowned.

Frederick Stephens, residing at Port Stewart, shot his wife dead and then committed f uicide.

November 4,

Professor Koch, the German bacteriologist who was invited to visit Queensland to' experiment with the tick pest, declined owing to his services being retained by the German Government.

Adelaide, November 8.

The Council of the University have decided to establish a Conservatorium of Music with -the Elder beqaest of L 20.000, under a scheme of iree scholarships, which will ba open to students of music in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.

Perth, November 2. . Luke Snow, aged seven years, the son of the proprietor of a shooting gallery, shot his j father air Cue. ' The boy, thinking that his father was ill-treating his mother,' pioked upa gallery' lifte and shot him in the breast. The father died in a few minutes.

Two good reefs, carrying over soz to the ton, have been discovered at Newcastle, 40 miles from Perth. This is the nearest point to the capital where gold has yet been discovered.

The Kanawna rush still attractß much attention. Fourteen claims obtained good gold at different points over the length of a third of a mile. Fifteen hundred men are now on the field.

Kaxgoorlie, November 5. Alluvial gold has been struck at two feet sinking near Mount Robinson. Prospectors obtained 30oz, including a 6oz nugget. It is also / reported that a rich reef has been diecovered in the same locality. Albany, November 5.

Arrived : Austral, from London. Passengers for New Zealand, Bishop Wallis (of Wellington) and Mrs Wallis. Hobart, November 3.

In the Legislative Assembly the amendment on the no-confldence motion, proposing that the construction of the railway lines over which the trouble arose be referred to the Crown law officers, was adopted by 17* to 16. A farther amendment that this be

The next competition will be held on Saturday, when the same conditions — viz., 10 shots at each range — will be adhered to.

Mr George Drew, on the occasion of severing his connection with the firm of Omand and' Drew, painters, was the recipient of a very handsome umbrella »fc the hands of tho employees of the late firm. Mr Hislingtooy who made the presentation, referred in complimentary terms to the good fellowship that ha 4 always existed between Mr Drew and ttia employees, and all present cordially endorsed the remarks made and" wished the 'new final every success." . . ' ,'..'-

not taken as a vote of oensnre was adopted by 19 to 14. The Premier then adjourned the House -• -

It is" rumoured that the Government will accept the first amendment as a vote of censure and resign.

Sir Philip Fysh'a constituents have asked him to resign his portfolio, bub he replied 'that he would not desert the Premier at th« present -juncture. ij •• --- -''- -' November i.

The Premier (Sir E. N. Braddon), addressing the Legislative Assembly, an* nounced, as the result of a Ministerial caucus, that the present time was inopportune for the Government to resign, and they would therefore continue to bold office. November 5.

Mr Lewis has resigned the leadership of the Opposition. At present there is no formal leader, but a meeting will be held to-morrow at the request o# Mr Clark, the late Attorney-general, to reorganise and to elect a leader.

* November 6.

SinWestby Perceval .has been reappointed Agent-general for a further . term of 12 months.- In the Legislative Assembly the Premier stated that the appointment would only be' renewed yearly until it wa« shown, that federation may not be expected within reasonable time.

An Opposition caucus broke up without coming to any decision as to a leader.. Mr Clark refused to accept it, stating that h» bad decided to remain a private member. ,-