INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1033, 18 December 1891, Page 33

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. MR H. M. STANLEY. VICTORIAN POLITICS. SUICIDE OF A BANK DIRECTOR. DARING JEWEL ROBBERY. DESTRUCTIVE BLIZZARD. A VESSEL ASHORE. (press association.) Sydney, December 9. Mr H. M. Stanley met with a good reception on his arrival here. He visits New Zealand shortly. Sydney, December 10. Some consternation has been created among the clergy by the decision of tho full Court to the effect that the omission of a declaration preparatory to marriage renders the partnership illegal, and tho failure to produce such a document if required would have the same effect. In many cases the declaration has been omitted, and very little trouble has been taken to preserve the document when it was executed. Sydney, December 11. The harvest in Riverina is nearly completed. Though the yields are hardly as good as last year, the bulk of grain is much better iu quality. Sydney, December 12. The Government are considering tho advisableness of introducing a Bill to validate marriages rendered illegal by tho recent decision of the full Court. Sydney, December 13.

Last night a robber, in the presence of a crowd in George street, smashed tho window of a jeweller’s shop and stole L9OO worth ©f diamonds. He dropped LSOO worth, and was successful in making his escape. Sydney, December 14. Mr Waddel, protectionist, has been elected to represent Bourke in the House of Assembly. ' Sydney, December 15. The Newcastle and Hunter River Shipping Companies amalgamate at the beginning of the year. This step is due to the competition of the railways. Adelaide, December 9. The Legislative Assembly has resumed consideration of the Commonwealth Bill. Adelaide, December 14. A disastrous cyclone and terrific hailstorm, resembling an American blizzard, devastated 10,000 acres of country near Tickers, and Kadina, in the northern part of Yorke’s Peninsula, cutting a path three miles in width. The damage is estimated at L 15,000. Melbourne, December 10.

Sir B. O’Loghlen gave notice of a want-of-confidence motion in the Government on their financial policy, and on account of their inaction with respect to railways and public works. The Premier, Mr Munro, paid no regard to the motion. The Law of Partnership Bill has finally passed. An Appropriation Bill for L 3,700,000 has been introduced in the Lower House.

The report of the Audit Commissioners shows a marked disagreement with the Colonial Treasurer’s statement. The Treasurer showed a deficiency at the end of June of L 797,000, but the Commissioners find that the deficiency amounts to only L 206,000. Mr Shevill, well-known in commercial circles, has committed suicide. The deceased %vas Director of the Land Credit Bank, and was largely interested in several of the institutions which recently suspended payment. Mr Munro, the Premier, has announced that he will accept the Commissioner of Audit’s figures as correct. Melbourne, December 11.

Sir B. O’Loghlen withdrew his want of confidence motion, which was ruled cut of order.

Investigations show that the deficiency of the South Melbourne Permanent Building Society, which recently suspended payment, amounts to nearly L 55,000. Intense surprise is expressed at the magnitude of the amount, as the recent report showed that the defalcations of Matthias Larkin, late secretary of tha institution, were only L 21,000. Mr Larkin is charged with defrauding the South Melbourne Permanent Building Society of L 55,000. Bail was fixed at L 14,000. It i 3 believed the total defalcations will eventually reach LIOO,OOO. Melbourne, December 12.

Cleary, late accountant of the South. Melbourne Permanent Building Society,

has been arrested on a charge of conspiring to defraud the institution. Melbourne, December 15.

The Government ■will endeavour to bring the session to a close this week. The Commonwealth Bill will probably be included in the list of measures which are to be dropped. The Colonial Treasurer will obtain the power to issue Treasury Bills to the amount of L 2,000,000 in London, this step being taken as a precaution in the event of inability toplace the first instalment- of the L6,OOO,OGQ> loan.

Investigations held into the affairs of the Land Credit Bank, one' of the institutions which recently suspended payment, disclose the fact that Taylor, the manager, his wife, and son were overdrawn in their accounts to the extent of L 114,000, while the securities are estimated at LII.OOO. Mrs Taylor’s bill for L 43,000 is held, but its value is uncertain. The shareholders of the Bank: require to pay calls amounting from L 25,000 to L 45,000 to meet the liabilities.

The citizens of Ballarat intend to send Home a wedding present to-the Duke of Clarence and Avondale.

The Standard Building Society has called a meeting of its depositors. The Statement presented showed assets; equal to 35s for every pound of liabilities. The present action of Directors was not due to pressure, but merely to give satisfaction to the clients of the Society. The* management suggested that the depositsshould be renewed for three years. Hobart, December 9. The Legislative Council has assented to an issue of £370,000 worth of Treasury bills. Hobart, December 14. The barquenline Seabird, from .New Zealand,is ashore in Macquarrie Harbour, but no lives were lost. She will probably be floated off. Dr Giffen denies that he has been instructed to enquire into tlie state of Australasian finances in connection with Mr Goschen’s Trust Funds Bill. Hobart, December-15. The barquentine Seabird, which went ashore in Macquarrie harbour, has been washed over the bar, and is now stranded. ISLAND NEWS. Sydney, December 10. The Goldfinch, from the Islands, reports that H.M.S. Cordelia and the French warship Saone visited Port Sandwich and arrested eight natives for the murder of two Frenchmen. They were tried, found guilty, and deported to Noumea. Sydney, December 11. H.M.S. Dart returned from a cruise among the Islands to-day. While at New Hebrides a number of chiefs requested that the Islands should be placed under a British Protectorate. The captain suggested they should memorialise the authorities. News from the Gilbert Group announces the death of Tenbenik, King of Apemama.