LATEST INTERCOLONIAL NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 715, 12 August 1865, Page 14

LATEST INTERCOLONIAL NEWS

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(From the Argus )

Stdxey, Tuesday, Ist August.

At a public trial of fire-engines to-day, the steam one proved that it possessed double power over the hand oneg. Unknown bushrangers have been committing depredations near Forbes. The City Council has resolved to procure plans for a new town-hall, and to offer premiums for the two best designs. At the Rifle Association^ meeting yesterday it was decided to discontinue the annual contribution of LSO towards the ' expenses of the winners of the Intercolonial Match ; and also that the association preferred holding the match on the date previously selected, but if that date should be inconvenient to the Victorians, they would suit the time to the convenience of their opponents. A smallbore championship is proposed, the merits of the competitors to be determined by selection, the competition to be open to all competitors in the All-Comers' Match and Intercolonial Match. The Opera Company have opened a season to a splendid audience. Wednesday, 2nd August. Two houses were burned down at Brisbane on Sunday last ; the loss is estimated at L 4.000. Clarke, the bushranger, has been committed for trial at Braidwood. All the hushrarging party who stuck up the Penrith stores have also been committed for trial. An unknown man, supposed to have arrived recently from Melbourne, was found insensible and badly injured in the scrub near Randwick yesterday. On the 12th, the Grravina, Telegraph, and Carmen Aghuita, arrived, with 2,100 tons of wheat and flour. No less than 800 tons of the latter vessel's cargo were for Melbourne, and the greater portion of the balance for Sydney, The Ipswich Railway has been opened by the Governor of Queensland with great demonstrations. Four tramp, loaded with passengers, proceeded from Ipswich to Biffge's Camp ; the members of both Houses were present, and Sir William Manning. A dejeuner was given by the contractors ; 500 sat down. Mr M'Alister, Minister of Public Works, in the chair. An address was read by Mr Fitzgibbon, the engineer of the railways, which was replied to by the Governor, who thought the railway a perfect success. The chairman proposed, aa a toast, "New South Wales," to which Sir William Manning responded. The trains arrived again in Ipswich before six o'clock. Adelaide, Tuesday, Ist August. The House of Assembly has adjourned till Thursday. The prorogation will probably take place on Friday. The Adelaide Gas Company has declared a dividend of ten per pent. A company is being formed for the manufacture of Dauglish's aerated bread. The markets are quiet. Holders of wheat ask 9a Bd. Buyers hope to buy cheaper. There are no export orders on hand. There is no alteration in flour. A sudden rise has taken place in National Bank shares (Melbourne register). 157 were sold to-day at L 6 3s 6d. For these shares, both Adelaide and Melbourne register, L 6 6s is now asked. A large pai eel of Adelaide Bank shares were sold to-day at 79 premium. Friday i 8 the last day for the payment of allotment calls, after which date, if the calls are not paid, the shares will be forfeited. A movement is on foot to establish a general holiday on the 6th of August in each year, being the anniversary of Prince Alired's birthday. This year the Prince comes of age. A company has been formed to purchase a steam collier to trade direct between Newcastle and Adelaide.

Wednesday, 2nd August.

There has been a fatal affray with the natives on Lake's station, on the Eastern plains. Mr Lake was wounded with spears, and two natives were killed. The affair was caused by the slaughter of Borne sheep by the blackfellows' dogs. The Hon. C. Bonney, M.L.0., is talked of as likely to succed Mr Finniss as Resident at Adam Bay, with Mr M'Kinlay as explorer. Captain Bagot's motion in the Council, asserting the desirability of communicating with the other colonies with a view to the establishment of a colonial line of I mail steamers to Galle, was carried. , The Northern Runs Commissioners start on Saturday, via Port Augusta. Business is very dull. There have been sales of cornsacks at 13s ; woolpacks are offering at 4a 2d. A few parcels of wheat have been sold at 8s lOd and 8s 10£ d, but holders generally refuse less than 9s. No sales of flour are reported, Thursday, 3rd August. I The prospectus of the South Australian Coal Company was published this morning. Capital, LIO,OOO in 1000 shares ; the object of the company is to be trading and dealing in coal. The Government land sale to-day realised L 12,900. Five annual leases of 438 square miles of waste lands averaged L4 l 7s 8d per mile. A handsome testimonial was presented yesterday by the volunteers to Dr Mayo, lieutenant- colonel of the lores. < Business is generally very quiet, but wheat was sold at 9s at the Port, and the I market exhibits an upward tendency. There have been sales of town brands of flour at L2O 10s.