INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1476, 28 February 1880, Page 11

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Reuter's Special.) Melbourne, February 19fch.

Mr Black has announced his intention of offering himself as a candidate for Maldon in the Government interest, in opposition to the Hon. James Service) leader of the Opposition. Arrived : Arawata, s.s., from New Zealand.

February 20th. Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, Speaker o! the Legislative Assembly during the last Parliament, leaves for England by the outgoing Sues mail steamer Assam. W. H. Lingard is to be served with a writ, at the instance of Mr J. O. Williamson, for £2000 damages in connecnectlon with the performance of " H.M.S, Pinafore" by the. Lingard Troupe. Messrs Murray, South, and Francia have been returned to Parliament unopposed. All the others have had their seats contested.

February 23rd. The Provincial and Suburban Bank trial is still proceeding, and it is expected will conclude this week.

Newcastle, February 24 th. It is reported that the colliery proprietors,'who are now working under the vend scheme ia this district, intend to reduce the wages of the men and the price of coal by 25 per cent., in order that they may be iv a position to compete with the collieries not bound by the vend rules.

Sydney, February 21sfc.

Mr W. Hazlett has been elected member for Paddington in the Legislative Assembly, in place of Mr Sutherland (resigned). Mr Hazlett favours the Government education scheme.

The International Exhibition closes on 20fch April.

February 22nd. Sailed : Hero, for Auckland. February 23rd.

Three prisoners effected their escape from Casiro Gaol yesterday by removing a sash in the wall. They secured police horses and got clear away. The police are now in pursuit. Sidney, February 24th.

Serious floods have occurred in the Richmond Rir or. 'Uio streets of Casino are completely submerged, and boats are now engaged Having the lives and property of the inhabitants.

'n the case of M'Kenzie versus the Union Insurance Compauy, for wrongful .Wmissal, a verdict waa given for tho pLui'iill" for .€230. Adelaidr, February 23rd.

Tho P. and ' '. Company's steamship Tii'sjoro arrived here to-day with the inward 'Suez mails.

Brisbane, February 21st.

A man bathing in Kentree Eiver yeEterday was attacked by an alligator, which seized him in the thigh, and crushed and clawed him severely. The alligator finally slipped his hold and the man escaped. The steamer Menmuir, from Singapore, reports that the comet was seen in Torres Strait. The nucleus was quit© visible and very red.

(Special to ihe Press Association.) Melbourne, February 17th. Tho Sydney Government has commissioned Mr George Folingsby, artist, of Melbourne to paint a portrait of Sir Hercules Eobinson. 5000 bushels of New Zealand oats were sold at auction — milling at 2a 9d, and feeding at 2a to 2s 3£d. Calcutta telegrams advise that wool" packs are stiffening, and that jute jig a,d., YanoiDg rapidly,

February 20th. Mr Francia has been returned for Warrnambool unopposed. Twenty-one horses have paid up for the Australian Cup. Suwarrow is the chief favourite at 100 to 15. Secundu?, Sweetmeat, and Darriwell are fairly supported. Mr Murray Smith was returned for Baroondara unopposed. The remaining seats were contested. Cavali G-oyzueta, a resident of Melbourne, has been appointed Italian Consul for Australaeia, with jurisdiction in NewZealand and Fiji. The mail steamer Assam was grounded for several hours in Hobson's Bay, but got off uninjured, and will sail in the evening. Sir Charles Gavan Duffy is a passenger to England. » Most of the following messages, which we take from the Melbourne papers, have appeared in our columns in a somewhat different form :— London, February 11th. The Pall Mall Gazette publishesan article respecting the success of the shipment of meat from Australia to England by means of Bell and Coleman's freezing process. The result of the experiment is regarded as of the utmost importance, inasmuch as it relieves England for the future from the necessity of having to depend upon foreign countries for her supplies. The writer at the same time deplores the prospect of the farmers in the Old Country, who will now have to contend with such competitors as the graziers of Australia. An article appears in the Pall Mall Gazette upon Victorian affairs. Amongst other points alluded to is the proposed visit of Sir Charles Gavan Duffy to Europe. It refers in congratulatory terms to the hon. gentleman's successful career in the Colonies, and considers him a pattern to Jiifl fellow countrymen. February 12th. Another provision of the treaty between England and Persia is that the former country shall construct a line of railway to Teheran,, the capital of Persia, from a point on the Persian, Gulf, so that in case of need England can render armed assistance to her ally. , February 13th. Intelligence has been received from the Viceroy reßpecting.affairs in Afghanistan. It is stated that owing to the repeated defeats sustained by Mahomed Jan at the hands of the British, theinfluance of that chief is greatly on the wane. Many have deserted from his standard, and it is only with the aid ef the priests that he is enabled to keeD an organised force in the field. '. A telegram has been received intimating + hac a body of Turcomans, numbering over 3000 men, have invaded a portion of Southern Turkestan hitherto recognised as Afghan territory. The full significance of the movement is not understood, but it is thought likely to greatly complicate affairs and prevent any immediate pacification of the country. February 14th. The depression in trade has strengthened the feeling in England in favour of the principle of reciprocity being introduced to some extent. A resolution was submitted to the House of Commons by a private member in favour of a proposal of this nature, and declaring that in the interests of trade and commerce steps Bhould be taken to induce other nations to establish a system of reciprocity with Great Britain. The resolution was opposed by the Government and negatived. Sir John Holker, Attorney - General, voted with the minority.