INTER-COLONIAL NEWS.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 372, 15 December 1868, Page 3

INTER-COLONIAL NEWS.

The " Sydney Morning Herald" states thafc the apple, silver wattle, and other trees in the Drysdale district, are being destroyed by a small green beetle. The " Queanbeyan Age" says : — During the past few days this town has been visited by a large flock of some hundreds of strange birds, which up to yesterday, were still to bo seen sailing in circles high in the air, and chirping clamorously like the English house-sparrow. We have been unable to procure a specimen, but have noticed that they are but little larger than the sparrow ; and wo are informed by those who have seen them that they are slate-colored, with white heads and tails. Small as they are, they appear to be very rapacious, making slaughter among tame pigeons and chickens, and even attacking childien who have gone to the rescue of their prey. The birds have hitherto been quite unknown in these parts. The " Gladstone Observer" says : — " The eclipse (so wo learn from a passenger per Boomerang) was total at Cape York on the 18th August. The totality lasted about eleven minutes (query), and during that time rose-colored flames were seen projecting liko ridges of mountains beyond the dark edge of the moon. The stars were plainly visible. The effect upon animals was singular — dogs howled and ran frightened into the houses ; fowls went to roost. The terror of the blackfellows was extreme, although they had been told of its approach. It is matter of regret that there was no scientific observer at Somerset competent to report upon this interesting phenomenon." A new reef with exceedingly 'rich prospects has been discovered, says the " Wagga Wagga Advertiser," on Mr Coman's Coombanning Run, by Messrs Ryan and Hefferman — who have registered their claim for a lease of five acres. The gold is apparent to the naked eye scattered throughout the stone. All the surface stone — of which there are quite 600 tons — is extensively impregnated with the precious metal, and the reef itself is quite six feet in width. A gentleman largely interested in reefing concerns at Grenfell inspected the Coombanning, and thought so highly of it that he made a tempting offer to the fortunate owners for a share, which was declined. It is reported that a machine is shortly to bo erected in the neighborhood, and that a large quantity of stone will be guaranteed by the owners of the Coombanning and Junee Reefs. A gentleman of considerable experionce, who has lately inspectod the various reefs in this locality, assures us that the prospects are uncommonly rich. An unusually sensational snake story comes to us from Majorca. It is narrated by the " Leader" as follows : — At View Point, on Thursday last, a poor fellow afflicted with rheumatic fever, was lying in his tent with the door open, when he saw a brown snake, five feet long, crawl over the door-step into the tent. As the man was helplesB and unable to stir, his only resource was to cry out for help, but without much hope of assistance, as he had no neighbors residing within sound of his voice. A young lad who was passing heard the cry, and coming over, soon killed the reptile in the tent. As they talked the matter over, the mate of the deceased snake was discovered in the act of entering the place as the other had done. Being disturbed, it made off to a pile of timber near the door, but, after a search, was discovered and destroyed. The Melbourne " Evening Star" says :— The extraordinary weather we have had those last two days has not been altogether without its incidents. The dust of yesterday was palpable to every one in town ; but the St. Kilda people had a sensation of their own, At about seven o'clock this morning, a strong wind blowing from the south, a large waterspout was observed by persons on the bathing ship. When seen it was about two miles outside the light-ship, and was slanting before the wind. The spout itself looked about thirty feet high, and was white, joining a black cloud which hung down towards the water. The spout travelled between the light-ship and St. Kilda, and went so close to a large vessel at anchor that the spectators had great apprehension for its safety, but the distance was greater than it seemed, and tho waterspout passed in the direction of Williamstown, and appeared to be lost in the mist that enshrouded that nautical village, and probably burst over it. The Tamatave correspondent of the " Commercial Gazette" (Mauritius) says : — " The subject of gold in Madagascar seems to be attracting some attention in Mauritius, judging from letters received this day per Mascate, wherein certain would-bo ' diggers' make inquiries as to the difficulties that would have to be encountered by gold-digging companies." Geelong is a place of peculiarities. It has a peculiar language, peculiar people, nnd even peculiar earthquakes. Geelong stands aloof, and refuses to join even in a general convulsion of nature. But the latest peculiarity about Geelong is, that it has got in its own bay not only a bar not to be matched elsewhere, but a shark of such monstrous dimensions as to be capable of kicking a thirty feet boat out of the water. We have it on the authority of the " Register," writ down in very choice Geelongese, that there is a shark in Corio Bay by the side of which Hobson's Bay sharks would look like minnows. And this shark is not a " casual." He resides in Corio Bay, and, like one of the dragons of old, grows fat on the surrounding gentry. An unhappy young man, who ventured to swim in the bay about four years ago, is declared to have been swal* lowed by this identical fish, who since that time has allowed no chance G-eelong morsel to escape him. This is Jvery severe on Geelong. The population does not increase too rapidly. Malop-street has still room for pedestrians, and Moorabool-street remains unimpeded by opposing throngs. Something ought to be done, then, to obliterate this shark, or to wilo him away to other pasture grounds or waters. The other day some fishermen encountered him, but he chawed up their oar like paper, and " almost" sent their boat flying out of the water. At all' events, they turned tail, and left him foraging. The " Register" makes a pathetic appeal to the local Corporation to take the monster in hand. It is a fine opportunity for tho new Mayor to distinguish himself. — Australasian. After spending large sums of money in the erection of works and the importation of arms we ask is the Colony at the present moment in a better posture for defence than it was fifteen years ago before a fraction had been expended in warlike stores ? The whole thing is a sham, and only another proof of the incapacity and extravagance of those the colonists select to manipulate public affairs. Fortunately there is at present no prospect of war, but if it were imminent it would be sheer waste of money to construct batteries like that on the Tamar now crumbling to ruins. — Examiner.

A Brussels letter says : — The condition of the Prince Royal is decidedly grave. It is stated that the Xing, at the close of the medical deliberation, sent a telegram to the Emperor Napoleon, announcing that the Duke de Brabant was irrecoverably lost — late telegrams give no hope of his recovery.