INTERCOLONIAL. VICTORIA. Melboubne, May 22nd.

Otago Witness, Issue 1383, 1 June 1878, Page 15

INTERCOLONIAL. VICTORIA. Melboubne, May 22nd.

The publication of the Governor's despatches to the Colonial office during the crisis has given rise to much comment, as an analysis of his Excellency's correspondence Bhows that, if he did not absolutely mis-state affairs, he gave such a colour to them as to be misleading. The Cable Conference concluded its sitting on Saturday. The report showed that the members had agreed to Colonel Glover's proposal to duplicate the cable from Singapore to Banjoewangie, avoiding the land lines on the island of Java. The company will also duplicate the section between Penang and Singapore. The Press are to obtain concessions, messages being reduced to ont- quarter, and governmental messages to one-half of the present rates. The representative of Queensland moved a series of resolutions in favour of an independent route via Normantown and the Gulf of Carpentaria ; and also for connecting the Queensland lines from the present terminus at Port Darwin. But Tasmania only voted with Queensland, the three other colonieß voting together on all questions. The representative of Tasmania moved, "That the cables connecting New South Wales with New Zealand, Tasmania with Victoria, and Port Darwin with Singapore, be considered as ocean lines, forming one common system ; and that the cost of the subsidies now paid be borne by the colonies benefiting by the same rateably." This was nega tived. Some other matters of general interest to all the colonies were dealt with befoie the Conference separated, A large meeting of the unemployed was held in Melbourne on Monday. They aftewards waited on the Hon. Graham Berry, who said that the want of employment was caused by the tactics of capitalists and moneyed men who were defeated at the hustings. He promised to provide temporary employment, trusting afterwards to obtain the sanction of Parliament.

Mr Francis was yesterday elected *or Warnambool by a majority of 111 over Mr H. Craig, the Reform League candidate. In the case against Captain King, and Batters, mate of the Alexandra, for attempting to scuttle the vessel, the jury, after being locked up all night, were unable to agree, and were discharged.

E. Farming's Fancy Free won the St. Leger Stakes at the Coursing Meeting of the Victoria Club.

Mr Bates, the actor, suddenly disappeared on Monday night, and the performance at the Princess Theatre was stopped in consequence. Nothing is yet ascertained of his whereabouts. Business is dull, and very little is doing. Amusements are dull, Kelly and Leon's Minstrels are the only performers making any money.

Melbourne, May 24th. A Parliamentary Commission has been appointed to enquire into the working of the Land Act.

The Government has issued a fresh proclamation prohibiting the landing of stock from ports outside Australian Colonies and New Zealand.

Mr Byron Moore has been appointed agent for the New Zealand Government in Victoria.

Mr Stephen Massett has arrived. Mr Frank Smith, solicitor, is missing. He is supposed to have gone to New Zealand. A warrant has been issued, as it is alleged some trust estates have been tampered with.

Brisbane, May 24th. A man named Michael was murdered by a Chinese cook. Deceased was in charge of a flock of sheep, proceeding to a station. The body was terribly mutilated, i*nd no provocation was given. NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney. The Sydney Parliament was prorogued on Tuesday. The Governor, in his speech, congratulated Parliament that the estimates of revenue were fully realised. The New South Wales Land Bill has been laid on the table. It gives additional facilities to selectors, and allows families to take up contiguous areas without residence for each. It also permits persons in towns to take up selections without residence conditions, but it imposes improvement conditions. The repairs to the Chinaborazo will be completed next month. The coßt is about LBOOO.

Sydney, May 24th, A meeting of workmen at the Trades Hall resolved to take steps to testify thoir appreciation of the services rendered by the late Mr Mart to the Colony and working classes. Representatives of the Borough Councils met to urge the connection of the suburbs with the city by railroad.

The Committee of the Trade and Labour Council are making arrangements for a public meeting to agitate for the suppression of Chinese immigration. At the Australasian Weßley an Conference the Bey. Mr Morley, of New Zealand, was elected

one of the Secretaries. He moved an amendment to the Committee's report, offering class meetings as a teat of membership, substituting as the qualification of membership general adhesion to Church rules. The amendment, however, was negatived, and class meetings affirmed, with the provision that all devout persons who could not be persuaded to attend class meetings should be invited to partake of the Sacrament, receiving quarterly communicants' tickets, and that they shall be entered on the circuit book.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Adelaide.

Mr Howard Clark, editor and principal proprietor of the Register, died on Monday night. His mother was sister to Sir Rowland HilL Parliament meets on the 31st May. Adelaide, May 24th.

Professor Severn has delivered his first lecture under the auspices of the Council of Education.

At Port Darwin, Captain Robinson and his brother, of the schooner Kingston, were murdered by natives while fishing off Marbiac Island. One Chinaman and a number of divers at Jardine, Cape York, were attacked by the blacks, Thejr were forewarned, and killed 17 of the blacks in a bedroom.