INTERCOLONIAL.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6635, 29 December 1886, Page 6

INTERCOLONIAL.

VICTORIA. A dispute has taken place between the Pressors' Union and the manufacturers of Melbourne, whioh threatened to lead to open rupture involving a lock-out of many hundreds of women and children. Moderate counsels prevailed, and the strike was averted.

Mr Gillies has forwarded to the Antarctic Exploration Committee a letter which he recently received from the Agent-General relative to the proposed expedition. It is understood that the Premier Is not very hopeful of success, though efforts will probably be made to secure aid from other colonies, and also from the Imperial Government.

The Argus states that Louis Brennan's torpedo has withstood all tests successfully, and passed through the severe ordeal of scientific investigation. Brennan will receive a commission as Captain of Engineer*, so that the War Office may permanently retain his servioee. NEW SOUTH WALES.

Severe shocks of earthquake, extending over a large area, were reported recently, from Wagga, Gundagai, and elsewhere. They did not extend as far as Sydney, but were felt at Picton. At Taes two shocks were felt, shaking all the houses, cracking walls, and causing ceilings to fall. A panic ensued, people rushing from their houses. The Government astronomer attributes the shocks to disturbances in Tasmania, but it is noticeable that about the same time Botorua showed signs of renewed activity. The press in this and adjoining colonies express very general approval of the sentence on the Mount Bennel miscreants. Judge Windeyer's summing up was characterised by great ability, and he gave prisoners not the slightest hope that tbe recommendation to mercy would be attended to by the Executive. Judge Windeyer.in a long letter, has replied to Mr Salomon?, and admitted he at once told Mr Salomons it was an improper appointment, and should not have boon; accepted. Wm. Beach, the Champion sculler. ai rived in the Lu-itania en Dec. 3rd, and received an enthusiastic reception. A number of steamers proc eded down the bay to meet him and on landing the streets were decorated with flags. The Champion was presented to the Governor by the Mayor. It h*s been virtually decided to sell the business of the Australian Bteam Navigation Company to the Qu<tenßland 8 8. Comoany. Tne purchase money is understood to be about J68W,000 Pressure is being brought to bear on the Government to prohibit Sunday entertainments, but the Colonial Secietary, while sympathising with the deputations, expassed the opinion thatthe Act of Chatlee 11.. which the memorialists sought to bring into operation was obsolete, and could not be enforced in the colonies. He suggested that the objectors might bring a tt st i a ie in the Supreme Court. SOUTH AD BTRALIa. There is nothing of importance to chroiicle from the leetulpa Goldfields. 'l he reports as usual are greatly tinged by sucoess or non-success of individuals, but the consensus of opinion appeared to be that the field is good, though overcrowded. Aconclu-iveproef of its productiveness is that the Bank has bought over 1200 ozs oa the field since it opened a branch. The Government are making arrange ments to bring a permanent water supply on to the field when washing can be earned on in a more systematic fashion. The liquidators of the Commercial Bank of South Australia have declared a dividend of a shilling in! the pound, bringing the total up to 15j. THE MELBOUBNE BANK ROBBERY. MELBOUBNE, December 1. On Wednesday, last week, a peculiar but daring attempt was made in the middle of the afternoon to stick up the National Bank at Albert Park, a subnrb about two miles from the city. The Manager of the Bank made a gallant resistance, else there can be no doubt the robbers would have got away with a good haul. Early in the day two men called and made some ioquiriea about opening an account, casually asking at the same time whether the Manager was the only person engaged en the premises He, suspecting nothing, said he was, but when the men returned later he naturally remembered the question, and at once concluded they meant mischief. The men came the second time, just as the Mansger (Mr Gordon Hume Dare) had his cash on tbe counter, counting it prior to closing. Mr Dare saw one o* the men enter and walk up a side passage. The men knew very little abont the premises, as a constable lived in the back portion of the premises, and he was usually at home at 1 that hour in the afternoon, bat as chance would have it he had gone to see the man-of-war Nelson in dock at WilUainstowa. Mr Dare makes the following statement of what took place-.—l noticed that while the man was walkng np the passage he. put on a black mask. Ha threw the door of my efficti open, and when I went to meet him be presented a revolver at me. I presented my revolver at him; he then said

something to me which I did not under stand. I callsd to him to " bail upJ'TS fired my revolver at him. The shot dfcl not take effect, and he immediately »ny~i While this was going on a sscorTaX younger man came in, but whetha? hnkS a uutek on or not I could act •» r started forward to meet him, and wniiLt muffle neat the door. I attempt*!lto^S round an>l fired another shot atlth. v£s man He shot at me again. By thia ti£l I was considerably excited, aj Sffife taken a very Benoua turn. l 3 had already whkzed past % fij ±*? felt exceedingly uncomfortable tj a move in the direction of the dlniL 111 * 1,3 at the back of my office, be&v& l ™ a that means I would be able to fiXl* attention of some one in the baekX** I closed the door of the dinieg JJ^ then thrust my revolver UaoaiaflJ'fi pane of the door. A few seconds Iffif and then the fellow who had first atwS me went out of the front door. 1*332? him as far as the door and then stonS? A large crowd attrasted by my crtatWS by the reports of the firearms had aI„S collected outeide. I called out toi£»? that the man was a robber, and told th»» to pursue him. The manager of jS Federal Bank, which is just across tt! way, joined me at this time, and toareiJu we looked after the cash which waahflr the bank. Just as I got to the d«*2£ second man ran through the back pornZ of the premises and made hiTi? eape by way of a lane. Both m« were shortly afterwards arrested on» of them having jumped into the nam of the police by getting over a fence into an Inspector's back yard. The auo of £B7 was found on one of the prisone* Altogether they took nearlyJßOolthe m* of which they threw away as they „» 5 was picked up by all nrti of p^JJ carters, women, children, &e, and or.lv £» is still missing." The two men arrested declared they are brothers, named Lewis, but they had gi'en different names where they had lodged. They said they had robbtd be. cause they were starving, but this has be*a shown to be untrue. On the previous Sunday night they attempted to Btick up a young man in the Pitzroy Gardens and | fired a shot at him, but his story was not at first believed, as the polico discovered thai he was wanted for a larceny in the country, for whhh he has sinoe been sentenced. The men, however, confess that they fired the shot. From the frequency of such attempts at bant robbery of late, it ia recommended to bank employees that they keep np their revolver practice. Mr' Dare has received a letter of commendation from the Directors of the Bank congratulating him on his brave resistance, and enclosing a cheque for 100 guineas. Mr Dare waa absent from hia duties on Friday, ia consequence of the death of his mother on the preceding evening. As the deceased lady was suffering from heart disease, it had been thought advisable not to tell her of tho peril in which her son had stood on the previous day, and she expired in ignorance of tbo events of that afternoon.

STRANGE AFFAIR AT SEA. MELBOUBNE, December 1. A dreadful tragedy was reported to the Williamstown police on Friday morning, as having been committed on October 14th, on tee British ship Gainsborough while she was ou the voyage froa Mew York to Melbourne. The vessel arrived in Hobeon's Bay the previous evening, and yesterday morning Constable Morgan and the Water Police proceeded on board and arrested Ernest J. Nicholls for the murder of hia infant, a girl aged seven and a-half months. The Gainsborough sailed from Ntw York for Melbourne on August 26th, under the command of the owner, Captain McPhail. The only passengers were the prisoner, who is a native of England, twenty-nine years of age; his wife, a German, twenty-two years of age, and their infant daughter. Nothing particular was noticed in the conduct or actions of these passengers during the voyage until October 14th, when Nicholla, who was walking up and down the deck at about half pact ten a on, nursing the baby, was observed by the man at the wheel (Charles Anderson) to step up suddenly to the port main rigging, and without a word or any apparent excitement, to toss the child into the sea. He then walked away quite coolly and sit down on a deck chair. Anderson at once raised an alarm and Mr ! Doig, (First Mat?) the officer in charge of : the deck, and several of the ere w, ran on to : the poop, from whioh they saw the baby floating astern face downwards. | was rounded to, and the Captvn having 'come en deck, a boat was made ready for launching. The weather waa fine, and the vessel travelling at the rate of eight knots the hour. As the child suddenly disappeared it was deemed of 'little use to launch the boat, and the ship proceeded en her course. While the pre* parationswere being made for the rescue of tho child Nicholla remained quite unconcerned. The mate had him placed under arrest and looked in his cabin, one of the crew being told off to watch him. Ia the evening he was placed in irons, but they were removed the next day, On the evening the incident occurred the captain told Nicholls of the charge against him, but he only stared vacantly, aid said he knew nothing about it. During the remainder of the voyage Nicholls did not seem to realise the gravity of his position. In the day time he was allowed to move about the deck, but at night he was locked in hie cabin. Nicholls, when brought ashore, was mora an object of pity than anything else. He is evidently completely insane, is reduced to a perfect skeleton, and is very weak. He did not appear to have the least idea ol where he was, or what he was charged with. Oa him were found a pair of baby's leather boots, which he always kept with him, and which he begged to ba allowed to retain, the desire being agreed to. It was only at the sight of these that be gave evidence of ary sensibility, for he then began to cry and moan about" My poor little baby that I loved so much" Mrs Nicholls lias been arrested on the charge of being accessory to the murder, in that knowing her husband was unfit to be entrusted with the child, ehe left it entirely in hia care, and by such neglect contributed to its death. Some of the sailors give a different account of the affair; and declare that the baby slipped out of Nicholls' arms. Mrs Nicholls has made a statement that there were bickerings on the voyage between her and the captain's wife and the stewardess, and she was falsely accused of having been too intimate with one of the ship's officers. She states that NiohoUa loved the child dearly. He had previously been in the colonies as a soft goods clerk, and owns property in Sydney and Auckland. Both are fairly well connect* d, and Mrs N.cholls had been a nnrse in the Sondin war. 7 THE KEILAWARRA. MELBOURNE, December 17. A terrible disaster at sea, accompanied by a serious loss of life, occurred on Wednesday, December Bth. The steamer Keilawarra, Captain Buttrey, belonging to Messrs Howard Smith and Sons, Limited, engaged in the Queensland trade, left Sydney for Brisbane on Tuesday. She reached the Solitary Islands, a number d rocky islets lying off the coast of New South Wales, about thirty miles to tbe north of Trial Bay, and 250 miles from Sydney, on Wednesday evening, asd when passing the south Solicary Island, at about nke o clock, she came into collision with the steamer Helen NiooU, Captain Fraser, belonging to Messrs John See and Co., and engaged in tho-trade from Sydney to the Clarence River. The south Solitary Island is an important turning point on the North Coast. A vessel coming from the south turns Bl westerly direction, and a veisel coming from tbe north would '' have to turn in an easterly direction. The vessels came into collision with each other, the Rilea NiooU striking the Keilawarra on the part bo*. ornahiag her foretold, and knocking dawn, it i» supposed, at the «m?.time the ford watertight compartment. Then tbe two vewele, owing to the force of th<» c#*fo*» swniag round and l»y store to ater- WWside of each other. Five of the pasta** gers and four of the crew of tb»

rf belief their own Bhip *»*!?*&« of tho tec >, w« to «nk, sought tho Mfetjr of ffl: S& only to fiad her i* pid f y **?"* them. The Captain rfW&Sr «■ oa thebrid « e Bt^ 9 »od m assisted by W lathe mid,,; o* all the *»/«•• S the heartrending Boenee the the bridge, •fB *3 to f>&» the crew and •£jL*to something like order. In gK unsuccessful. The men rushed 2 fid boat hunched and it was t the women and children were Sriuared for, »nd flie scene on -S ffl-fsted Teasel is deecribad a*baring 2L irt heartrending. The Captain fSsza to have utterly given up B *»y es of jsving himeelr, and to have Sirred a lifebuoy, handed to him by *Trf the seamen, to a passenger. At ST l«»t moment, when he knew that the 22 was on the point of boing engnlphed Jfnfessed the others to leave the ship as L?t£i>~M possible, and went down with ffjSTJrho were left on board, and whom 2»» powerless to assist. The Keila!»in» sank within ten minutes after she mli gtrack, and altogether forty three Eta* were bet, including twenty-two of *L pea«engers and seventeen of the crew j gu, E-ilawarra, and one of the pasgjjgera and three of the crew of the Helen jjjSll. The Helen Nicoll although seriously jßmd was not disabled, and she renvaluable service in saving life. She transferred survivors of the Keilawarra to to ttesmer Australian, and in company gjta btt proceeded to Sydney, where she arrived on Friday morning. 3ha following is a list of the persons «kc were lost:—Passengers by the Keilaitxn. saloon—Mr and Mrs Schepper and family of six, Mrs Johnston and child, Mr E. Wileon, Miss Cadder, Miss M. Gallagher, Mr C. J. Bahtine, Mr F. Scott, Mr E, McGrftde, and Mr John McDonald. Stewagt—Mrs Hayes and two children, jfrfj Cornwall, and Mr E. Connor. McGrade it the jot key who was seriously injured on Tom Brown in the Caulfleld Cup. amongst the crew of the Keilawarra who were drowned was the captain, the third engineer, the chief steward, and the ftewardesa.

fie passenger by the Helen Nicoll who was droiTttod was E. Bayley .Inn., and time of the crew were lost A most graphic and affecting statement 4 the scene when tho Teasels struck is jfVen by Alexander Matthews, a young mm who was a steerage passenger by the Keilawaria. He says:—"At abont eight o'clock on Tuesday evening I was on the deck of the vessel lb was a beautifully clear night I did not see any vessel or lights near us, but not anticipating meeting any other vessel I did sot make any close scrutiny o! the sea. It was too early to turn in, and so I suggested to another man on deck that we should go below and have a read. We went below and I got a daily paper, ' tad strangely enongh it was the very awaent when I was reading of the wreck oftleCoracgamite that I heard a frightful arash on tbe port side of the ship. I immediately jumped np and made my way to the companion stairs. When I got on deck the whole of the port side of the vessel near the steerage seemed to come away and a frightful j* surged hole was left. I saw the bow of another ship upon us and people commenced to jump off her into the other vessel. Some six or seven must hate jumped upon our deck and the greater number I believe were drowned. I lef t the steerage part of the ship and ran to the saloon. The passengers were crowding up the companion stairs, the men in their shirts, and after them the women and children, some partly dressed and others almost uncovered. The Captain was giving orders and they were trying to lower too dingey of the steamer from the port davits. As soon as they succeeded is swinging he? round from above the deck, so that she hung over the sea. a tremendonQ number of men jumped into her. A panic seized all of them and they hustled and crowded into her. I heard tbe Captain cry out " Shame on yon men, have yea no thought for the women t" I saw knots of women and children dinging to each other and praying to be saved. The captain cried shame on the men, but still they crowded into tho boat. They tried to lower it, I saw, and it was everyone for himself, and aa the boat went rooking down from the davits, I jumped tor it and fell into the boat, but it was only lor a second. With a wild shriek from the mass of men crowded one on top of the other in the boat, she turned over, and we were left struggling and fighting for life In the water. I thought that I must surely dawn, but some one threw down a rope from the deck above, and I grasped it and ecainpered up, glad even to be back upon the sinking ship. I shall never forget if I lire to be an old man the awful sigbt I saw then I got back on deck. The women rushed at me and dung to me, and prayed mo for God's sake to save them. Little children, some quite naked, were runniug shrieking with rear abont the deck quite demented, and Bome we re clinging to their aothera so tightly that they could not he torn away. Oh, I cannot describe it to jott. It was terrible. I shall never forget those poor women and children. I could do nothing for them. I thought that we must all drown together. There was such a seeae as a man never forgets. Some of the women were calling piteooely on God for mercy to them and their little ones; efhiri were crying and sobbing, and implormg the captain to save them or save Silrdiildren. The water came on deck, and some, with terrible cries, were washed overboard. I clambered np on to something, I forget, or don't know what it was bat it was 4ft or 6ft above the deck. At women came aronnd and held up their arms, and begged me to draw tka up. I knelt down and drew obs up as well as I could with the water TCshmgover the deck, and she olnog to l»i and asked me to save her. We stood Mi together, and I looked to the flats, vrho was upon the bridge. He been there, I tlsink, all the time. They i lowering the starboard boat, and we feted to get off in her. They seemed to a&amesß of tho job. The boat hung from the davits, abont halfway down, and fcea she went over. I thought " Now the lt# chance is gone," and I clasped my a«da and we prayed for help from somet**s to come to us. I felt quite dased «d hopeless. A few seconds afterwards I avtboat passing on the starboard side M of men. The Captain called out to us, fan the bridge, for God's sake to jump. TO one moment I looked round; I did **; eare to leave the woaan helpless, bet I saw the water rushing into the eofme-room, and it was the only chance, ■m l jumped overboard. I raised my head well above water, and I beard the awfolorieaof those on the sinking ship. %M were several men in the water, but * «aw no women or children. I heard that «% one woman and one child were s wed. «***, just as I was beginning to feel exm*9&, Z saw a round lifebuoy with a man -~%tefe to it. I grasped it. The man *"Wg>jl can't swim. Let me have it" I said," I am done. I must have it %*>?' and I held on to it as well as I *«H, and struck out with the other hand for the boat I got to it and they assisted sg* in. There were a great number of *» ia her—crew mostly, I think. I did *&»* many passengers there, only two <*«*•», The boat was nearly full of *»»i and I set to bale it out with a hat. We Wwed up a child clinging to a bale of chaff. Wfew a woman and a little girl clinging * B § e thert but they were lost. One woman 5JC 9 *aboard, and she was unconscious. r*yd her husband had been clinging •Jfwpf, but he had no more strength, «whadtol«t her goaswelL Whilewe wpaDfag the boat some one in her <WB4oat,«torGcd'« sake pull away, or He meant that the linking I looked round", 2J *»wthe ship standing straight up on S*es4,aftd then with an awful shriek .HS*H» oa hoard she plunged right Wjfc Rerewas a sort of golf of water, &*** ererjiaiog was perfectly still. **£**aa from the wreck come bubbling - jyw tatre was no more shrieking and gj* Wd we pulled to i&aehip. The tiwOaaWato waa steading 2S^WW. *M he told na to jump 25« J. That last shriek from the * the went head first into the

water, made my blood run cold. It is impossible to describe all. I shall never j forget it. The only woman on board the Keilawarra who was saved was Mrs 8. Wilson, who, with her hmband, a farmer at Qxley Creek, near Brisbane, was returning from a lusines3 trip to Sydney. It wss only abont. six weeks ago that she and her husband returned by tbo Garonne from a viait to J the Old Couitry. Mrs Wilson was maoh ! exhausted by the trial she had pasusd through, and wan overcome with grief at j the loss of her hmband. She siid—My j husband and I had a deck cabin, and I was ill. On the night of the accident 1 had just undressed, preparatory to going to bed, when the crash came. I ran out, on deck, and the passengers commenced '• to ruoh from below. My husband eaid I " Cling to me, dear, I can awim well." , A wave dashed over the deck, and my hmband was thrown down heavily, and I think hurt. Another wave came and, svept us both away, and I only remember struggling in the wattr with my husband. My husband was hurt, and could not keep up, and I tried to support him while I was buoyed up by a piece of tmber. I tried to induce him to grasp some wreckage, but he could not do it, and I was t< seed abcuS until I came across a box, which I clang to until I was picked up. The Rev. P. M. Gray, who was a paseenger on the Helen Nicoll, has also made an interesting statement. He wae one of those who jumped on board the Eeilawarra. He got into the boat that was lowered, but it upset, aad he swam to the side of the Eeilawarra, got a rope, and clambered up. Then as he saw the bhip was sinking, he jamped overboard again, and being fortunately sufficiently tar away to escape the suction of the sinking ship, swam safely to the Helen Nicoll and got aboard.

How the collision came to happen is involved in mystery. The night was clear, with the moon shining brightly, except when obscured by a passing cloud. The Marine Board enquiry has opened m Sydney, and the evidence of the first and third mates of the Keilawarra is being token. The first man rays he saw the smoke of the Helen Nicoll two miles off, and told the Ctptain, who gave the order to port tbe helm, and after this order the Eeilawarra went three-quarters of a mile before the collision. Tney saw no lights on the Helen Nicoll. It ia possible they may have been obscured by the smoke which was comic g thickly out her funnel. The Keilawarra's lights were all right, though they don't appear to have been seen on the Helen Nicoll. The third mate in his evidence said the Helen Nicoll must have starboarded her helm, else the collision could not have occurred.

SCENES IN THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

MELBOURNE, December 15.

A scene of disorder and obstruction almost rivalling some of the finest efforts of the New South Wales Legislature took Slace in the Legislative Assemly during Thursday and Friday, the Chamber sitting continuously for twentyfive hours. The question under discussion was an agreement made by Government with Messrs Chaffey Bros., the American firm, under which the latter was to obtain S»seesion of soma 250,000 acres of land in orth - west Victoria, fronting the Biver Murray, on condition that they carried out extensive irrigation works and' settled the country, establishing industries, such as fruit canning, &c. A certain section of the Opposition determined that the agreement should not receive the sanction of the House, while the Government were equally determined to pass a measure legalising the agreement. About two o'clock on Friday morning determined stonewalling set in, members speaking against time, and as the House was in Committee speaking over and over again. Mr Bent was the first member to transgress, statingthat members were being kept out of bed to promote a swindle, and declared that members were rushing the scheme through from interested motives. Mr Dow, Minister for Lands, made a sotto voce reference to circumstances in past politics in reference to what is known as the " Eennington Hill Job," in regard to which much was said at the time to the detriment of Mr Bent. The latter was urged to fury by the taunt, and called Mr Dow a rugae and liar. Thereupon a scene of indescribable uproar ensued. Bent walked across the house to Mr Borrows, who said," If you touch me you must take the consequences." The Chairman tried to keep order, and the tumult subsided temporarily, but scon re-arose, Messrs L. L. Smith and Gaunson being particularly free in asserting charges of corruption against the Ministerial party, Mr Deakin, Chief Secretary, in partioular being singled out fit attack. During the temporary absence of the Chairman Mr MuLollm was voted to the chair, when a scene of the wildest disorder ensued, members defying his ruling and throwing balls of paper, books, &c, at each other, and indulging In horseplay of the wildest description. Eventually Mr McLellan was forced to leave the chair, and M» Cooper came back. The House adjourned from 8 till 9 on Friday for breakfast, and sat till 8 in the afternoon, when a compromise was arrived at. Before separating something like good feeling was restored, several members apologising for words uttered in the heat of the debate. The Prets comment very severely on the wordy exhibition, and the general feeling of toe colony is that the whole incident was suih as to bring disgrace upon the Legislature. Mr GUlies preserved a dignified attitude, and made a very powerful speech. He deplored the mudthrowing tendencies of an irresponsible section of the Opposition, and possibly, but : for his influence, a still greater scandal might have occurred. WRECKED ON A DESERT ISLAND. SYDNEY, December 23. The Diana, a Swedish barque, bound bom Paget Sound to Sydney, has been totally wrecked on Stardbnck Island, in the Pacific The vessel left Puget Sound on July 12th, and all went well till August 11th, when the vessel struck on a rock, which proved to be Stardbuck Island, a small island at onetime explored for guano by Houlker Bros., of London. As the barque was in imminent danger of being broken np the captain cut away the masts, and making a rait succeeded in passing through the surf and breakers and reaching the shore. All available provisions and 200 gallons of water were taken out of the stiip, and a tent rigged up on shore for shelter. The water found oa shore was very brackish isnd strongly impregnated with guano, but eventually an old well was fou&d and two boats which were washed on Bbore. In these the shipwrecked mariners made an attempt to waoh Maiden Island, which is inhabited. The boat?, however, were unable to carry all, so lota were drawn, and eight out of toe eleven men oa the island started, and succeeded in reaching Humphrey's Island, where the Bchopner Bwter, trading from Auckland, called. As it was uncertain, however, what her movement* would be they decided to remain there, and were eventually brought to Sydney in the schooner Jerfalcon, from Maiden Island. The Buster promised to call at Stardbuck Island for the men who were left there. One of the crew of the Diana cast in his let at Humphrey s Island, and took a native wife, remaining there.

THE MOUNT KBNNIE OUTJBAGE.

SYDNEY, December 20. AM the members of the executira met on Thixreday last to consider the case of the ™W*?en condemned to death for the Eft Eennie ontrage. The Council sat from 11 a.m. Si part 6 o clock p.m., the greater part of the day being ooSiptad lin leading the evidenceiurtoe ease. MrJnrtiee Windeyer was in attendance in the morning and answered aeveral qnesSowT TheSesult of the dehberatoons was tbat in the case of «gjf« Eonnell and Hugh Miller and George Began the death sentence was commuted to imprisoameot for hfe, the

first three years to be spent in itotfe, and that in the case of the remainder »i the Hill, George Daffy, William Newman, Joseph Mattin, William Boyoe and George Bead —it was decided that the death Benknc should be carried out. The»xecution will take pla?e on January 7th. When the decision of the Executive was communicated to the unhappy men, mobt of them received it ifi silence, but shortly afterwards some gave way to grief and tears. The following particulars rtl&te to the three men who have been respited : Michael Doncell was born in Woolloomooloo. He is ag;d seventeen, ia a Roman Catholic, ana had no occupation. Hugh Miller was born in Sydney. He is nineteen yeais old, a Preslyteiian, nud by trade an engine-cleaner. George E 'egan is aged nineteen; was born at Mituigocg, is a Boman Catholic, and a laborer by trade. According to the records at Dariinghurst Court, Keegan had betn tonvieted twice and ililler once previously far minor offences. The f jllowing particulars relate to the men who are to suffer the extreme penalty of tbe law :—William Hill was born at Redfern, is Uenty-two, is a Presbyterian, and an engine cleaner. George Duffy was born at Dapto, is seventeen years old, a Catholic, and a wool washer by traJe. William Nawman is a native of Sydney, aad aged eighteen. He was a dealer, and belcnga to the Church of England. J, Martin was born at Waterloo. He is egod. evenUen, i a Roman Catholic by faitb, and a woolwasher by trade. Wm. B yce was born at Redfern ; he is nineteen y«ara old, a Roman Catholic, and by trade a bootmaker. Robert George Reid was born in Victoria; he is aged nineteen, a Presbyterian, and a laborer by trade. The records of Dariinghurst show thai; Boyce had been thrice, and Newman, once previously convicted of minor offence;?. Sweetman, the cabman, who was sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment and two floggings for participation in the outrage is in delicate health, and on the reoommtn iation of the Government medical offi er the floggings have been remitted. A requisition has been presented to the Mayor asking him to call a public meeting to make further efforte to obtain a mitigation of the penalty. Public subcriptions are to be raiß«d for the purpose of presenting a gold watch and address to Wm. Stanley, the chief witness in tke case, who made a gillant attempt to reseue the giil from har assailants.

TEETULPA GOLDFIELDS

ADELAIDE, December 21. Good finds continue to be be made, principally at Bradj'B gully, on the Tettulpa goldfield. Two men this morcing got 6jz in three hour?, one ru?get weighing over soz. Two men on Saturday bought a claim for 15*. and bottomed that day. This morning they dry fosßicked Boz 15iwt of nice gold. Two men washed an ounce to the load from Uoslin's Gully. This mornisg a man named John Crow died from a complication of typhoid fever and pneumonia. The docten report that there are a few cases of typhoid on the field, but as a rule tho men are fairly healthy. The Bank purchased 126:zs today, and 773 jzs last week. One of the employees at the local newspaper office hAd a lOoz nugget in iris hand to-day, which he procured in Brady's Gully West. Splendid specimens have been found by McMann and Sullivan in a quartz claim on tbe hill dividing Strawbridge's and Goelin'a gullies. They intend to form a syndicate at once to work the claim. Mr Clark, one of the proprietors of the BaUarat Courier hm retu ned from a visit to the Teetulpa goldfielda. He expresses Lis delight with the field, which he considers is of large extent, and ween thoroughly developed will prove one of the richest ever known in Australia. He says that the present applianoes for washing are primitive, and he believes that fully half the gold is lost. Water aleo is scarce. He thinks, however, that these difficulties will poon be remedied. He is also struck with the probable prospects of quartz mining in the district. He further nelievea that other large fields will be discovered in the district. The Victorian diggers he met expressed their intention to thoroughly test the field.