INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1418, 25 January 1879, Page 17

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Per Special Correspondent ov Press Association.) Melbourne (undated). Firas are raging in the Gippsland bush, and a railway station has been destroyed at Port Darwin. One hundred and sixty Chinese were landed from Hong-Kong. January 16th. Montgomery was oominitted for trial, for the Government-house jewellery robbery, and other charges. The new steam launch Little Denham, valued at £1800, was burned this morning. (Undated). The owners of the immigrant ship Hereford were fined £500 for a breach of the charter party regarding tbe water supply. Father Chiniquy lectured at Mudgee, when an alarm of fire waa given, and a st impede ensued. The affair was a hoax, and no casual' ies occurred. Mr Augustus Morris has accepted the secretaryship of the Exhibition. January 17 th. D sastrous fi>es occurred at Earahu and A' bury yesterday. George Martin and Co. have susponded payment, being involved by M'Ooina3 and | Co., of London. ! From Malmesbury it is reported that three armed men, supposed to bo the Kellys, took possession of a house in the neighbourhood. Further intelligence is expected. The Euglish cricketers started for Syduey to-lay. The failure of Martin and Co. bai caused much comment. The liabilities of the firm are stated to be £150,000. The boys engaged at the Hamilton Colliery, Hunter district, have struck f r higher wages. The French war steamer Viotorieuse, with tbe admiral for the Pacific station, arrived yesterday. The Bulli look-out is still unsettled, A

meeting yesternight expressed sympathy, and promised assistance to the minem Mr Green, one of the owners of the Orient Line, applied to the Government for certain concessions to the steamers in return for the valuable services rendered to the Colony. Sir HeDry P.irkea requested further information Special races in honour of tho Governor were held to-day. January 21st. The unemployed are agitating. January 22iid. There is renewed activity on the part of the police against tho KoJlys'. It is believed that abbetois have turned informants, and definite results are expected. Sydney, January 2lst. The Government is disposed to construct a tramway from the Redfern terminus to the Exhibition building. January 220 d. A petition has been lodged— Buchan v. Rouse— in the Mud gee election. At a sale of city property, an inferior part of George street to-day realised £50 per foot. , T News from New Guinea states that Ingram, the Queensland Government Resident, and the crew of the steamer Ouiu, were murdered by natives on Thursday Island. Adelaide, January 21st. Williams and Travers have been murdered in the Northern Territory by blacks. The charge of forgery againsc Harold Gay, alias Peglin, was dismissed. Brisbane (undated). At the firing of a salute by the Volunteers on the opening of Parliament a cannon exploded, killing two persons and wounding two. Mr M'llwraith moved a want of confidence, and the debate was adjourned. January 17th. M'llwraith's motion of want of confidence was carried by 32 to 30. The Douglas Ministry have resigned. An agitation has been started in support of the locked outßulli and Wolloogoug miners. The miners at Lambton, Newcastle, arc cons'.dering the " veod " system. Marshead, the-owner, threatens dismissal if they join. A new. Ministry is being formed by Mr M'llwraith, and will probably include himself, Messrs Palmer, Macrossan, Thompson, and Perkius. The recent appearance of the Kelly gang is unconfirmed. January 21st. The nomination of Perkins to the portfolio of Lands incensed Groom, who withdraws from his candidature for the chairmanship. {January 22 ad. Mr Macfarlane, the missionary, has visited the scene of Ingrain's massacre, and believed that three whites, three Kauakas, and one Chinaman were killed. A son of Canon Irons, of London, is one of the victims. (Reuter's Special to Pbess Association.) Melbourne, January 16th. George Martin and Company have failed. It is stated the liabilities are large, being principal y English creditors. January 20th, The Rev. A. R. Fitchott w.ia ordained yesterday at St. Andrew's Church, Brighton, by the Bishop of Melbourne. The Victorian Government will shortly prepare a programme for next session. An extraordinary sticking up case occurred near Sandhurst at midnight on Saturday. A cab, with seven passengers, was hai ed by a mm in a white gown, who presented a revolver. Ho only got 16<», aud no resistance va3 offered. The police have a clue to the offender. The Victorian Government have decided to co-operate with Sydney for the Exhibition, and will vote £2000. January 22nd. The Somerset has arrived at Cooktown from Hong Kong with smallpox. She was refused pratique, and goos South immediately. Sydney, January 20 th, A tremendous hurricane experienced at Norfolk Island caused serious damage to plantations. It was expected to reach Samoa. Several destructive fires occurred in Melbourne and this Colony, involving serious loss. Three childreu were burnt at Collingwood. January 21st. It is proposed to hold a short session of the Assembly. Sir Henry Parkes, in the Ministerial statement, promised to introduce an amending Land Bill, a Chinese Immigration Restriction 8.11, £md duiing the recess to mature other important measures. Brisbane, January 20th. Whether Mr Palmer will join the Ministry or not is doubtful. The other names are correct. There is a new rush at Laura River, 300 Europeans are averaging half-pennyweighti. The German ship Fruzreuter has arrive 1 There were 30 deaths on the voyage, seven from tj'phoid fever. Adelaide, January 17th. Wheat markets stationary. January 20fch. Large parcels of wheat are offering for forward delivery out of ports afc reduced rates. The market is weaker.