INTERCOLONIAL.

Evening Star, Issue 9774, 2 August 1895, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.]

Per Press AfsxuATios.j

MELBOURNE, August 2,

The ‘ Argus,’ commenting, on the Financial Statement, says:—“ Both as regards exports and economy the colony is emphatically on the right track. The Treasurer’s statement shows that wo can live within our present income and save, and that our resources are unimpaired and developing. The Budget should do much to strengthen the returning spirit of hope and enterprise, for the people instinctively feel that if the Government have well turned the corner so have the community also. For many years Victoria has been a stranger to so cheerful a Statement.” The ‘ Ago ’ says “ The railways remain as the one financial blot. But for the deficiency on them the year would have ended with a surplus of over £300,000. But if the railway receipts are the lowest on record* so are the expenses ; and any sort of recovery in the rate of earnings would give a magnificent profit, provided the management maintained the present scale of expenditure. On the whole, the Budget is the best story told by the colony for the past live years.” The directors of the Broken Hill South Company have voted £SOO for the relief of the sufferers by the late accident.-

In tho Assembly, on the tariff debate, tho Government proposal to reduce tho duty on limber from 4s to Is per 100 ft was rejected, and tho rate was fixed at 2s. 11 was decided to admit 12 by 0 timber and over free, instead of at tho proposed duty of Is per 100. A meeting of creditors and shareholders of the Standard Bank of Australia adopted a scheme of compromise fixing the interest at 2i per cent., with provision that for the difference between the rate fixed at the time of reconstruction and the new rate deposit receipts not bearing interest shall be issued payable in August, 1003. It was also decided that no dividend shall be declared until tho deferred interest is paid to depositors. The meeting was in favor of the proposals, though the directors opposed them. SYDNEY, August 2.

It is reported that the Government will shortly make eight to ten appointments to the Legislative Council. A number of names are mentioned, including several prominent Freetraders who were unsuccessful at the elections. The tire at the Broken Hill mine is still, smouldering steadily. Last night the bottom of the open quarry showed a subsidence of several feet, and the smoke has evidently leached the stoped ground below. Steam and water arc being poured in again unceasingly, and it is now decided to use carbonic acid gas, which will be introduced in the old shaft. As a precaution against possible evil effects, the managers of adjoining mines have been advised to-day of the use of the gas. BRISBANE, August 2.

The steamer Argus is in the same condition. It is believed that she will float at high tide to-night. There is no sign of serious damage from straining. Further heavy frosts are seriously damaging the sugar cane. Tho Hon. Mr Tozer, speaking at Gympie, said that the Minister of Lauds would shortly introduce a scheme for settling people on the laud. The Government would do all they possibly could to assist agriculture, aud they hoped before the end of the year to establish colleges of agriculture. PERTH, August 2.

A very rich development is reported from the Maritana and Crccsus mines, a lead 6ft wide being struck. It is thickly studded with coarse gold up to the size of peas, and is said to be richer than the much-vaunted Boulder mine lode. Considerable excitement is felt at Coolgardie, as the find will greatly add to the value of the adjoining mines. ADELAIDE, August 2.

In the Assembly the Treasurer stated that the Government had entered into a reciprocal treaty with Queensland with regard to the border trade, and would attempt to make similar arrangements with Now South Wales. Ho also gave notice for Tuesday of a Bill to enable South Australia to proceed with the framing and enactment of a Federal constitution for Australasia.

HOBART, August 2,

The Assembly by 22 to 5 approved of the extension of the franchise to women in connection with the election of members to the Legislative Council.