INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1506, 25 September 1880, Page 10

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, September 16th. An animated discussion took place in the Assembly last night regarding an article in the Argus on the new, members' election and the Qualifications Committee. Mr^Fincham protested against the article, which he said was a breach of privilege. Mr Berry asked the House to decide whether it should take action, to serve as a warning to the Argus for all time. . Mr Service defended the Argus, and tha motion which was before the House was eventually withdrawn. The race meeting in honour of Sir H. Robinson is postponed until Monday. In the Assembly last night the bill to legalise the use of the totalisator was read a second time. In the Legislative Assembly Sir Brian O'Loghlen opposed the Government on retrenchment, especially in connection with the Law Department. Sir Hercules Robinson, late Governor of New Zealand, has arrived here on his way to England; Sailed : Union Company's steamer Ringarooma, for the Bluff. September 18th. Sir Hercules Robinson is to be entertained by the members of the Melbourne Club at a banquet this evening. The race meeting in his honour takes place at Flemington on Monday. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company has purchased Messrs Clough and Co.'s wool business. A conference of the representatives of the various Colonies on postal matters is to be held here during the Exhibition. September 20th. Some thieves entered Government House yesterday while his Excellency the) Marquis of Normanby and his guests were at dinner, and carried off £150 worth of jewellery belonging to Lady and Miss Robinson. It has just (10 a.m.) been decided to postpone the races in honour of Sir Hercules Robinson until Saturday next, owing to the heaviness of the course from the recent rain and floods. The Siam, with the inward Suez mail, has arrived here. ; Melbourne, September 21st. The overland line-between Adelaide and Port Darwin is down. Telegraphic communication with Europe ia' therefore interacted. , The Victorian Government have fixed the minimum of the L 2,000,000 loan, which will shortly be issued in the London' market, at £101. ' '- * The Argus to-day publishes an article commenting in highly, eulogistic terms on the character and services of ! Sir Hercules Robinson. '; Sir Hercules Robinson sailed to-day for England in the Orient Company's steamer John Elder. . . . New Zealand oats, 2s Id to 2a 4£d; market firmer. The, Hon. Mr Mitchell has been reelected Speaker of the Legislative Council. ' Sydney, September 16th. It is announced that Mr P. A. Jennings, C.M.G., who was the Executive Commissioner for the Sydney Exhibition, will be appointed a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George ; and that Mr John Davies, who was a prominent member of the New South Wales Commission, is to be appointed Companion of the same Order. There is later news to hand from the Solomon Islands which confirms previous information regarding the wreck of the | Ariel and the poisoning of the mate and a seaman. It is reported that the captain and the rest of those who were on board have succeeded in making their escape from the natives/ Sailed : Union Co.'s steamer Rotomahana, for Auckland. Adelaide, September 16th. The Sorata has become a total. loss, and all hope of saving her has been abandoned. Her lower deck is now bulging, and fears are entertained of her breaking up. September 18th. Freight to London, 37s 6d to 40s, on wheat cargoes. The action brought against the inau- | ranee company in connection with tho loss of the Hyderabad has been compromised, the Government accepting L7OOO as compensation. The P. and O. Co.'s steamer Siam has arrived with the inward Suez mail which left London on August 13th. Sir Hercules Robinson has accepted an invitation to be present at the Adelaide races, to be held on September 24th. September 20th. The Orient Company's steamship Ouzoo has arrived from Plymouth. The Sorata's back is broken, and the work of pumping has been stopped. All hope of saving her has been abandoned. Brisbane, September 20th. The steamer Ripple arrived from the Solomon Islands yesterday morning, with only her captain and three sound Kanakas. The mate, engineer, steward, a passenger named William Penae, and five of the Kanakas are wounded. One of the Kanakas is not expected to recover. The captain reports that while trading at one of the islands, the natives, who had come on board his vessel, suddenly attacked them. The crew repelled tho amult with difficulty! but killed 60 0

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the natives. Hobabt Town, September 21st. The Kingarooma sailed on Saturday for the Bluff.

The following messages have already appeared in the Melbourne papers to hand by the S.S. Botorua, at the Bluff :— Bluff, September 17tb. (Special to the Melboubnk .Age.)

London, August 30th. Mr Gladstone, daring the crake which he has taken for the benefit of his health, called in at Kingstown, in the Bay of Dublin, and about seven miles from the city. He was received by an immense concourse of people, who flocked down from Dublin, and accorded him a most enthusiastic welcome. Mr Gladstone, after a short stay at Kingstown, proceeded to Greenook, en the Clyde, near Glasgow. He was there also enthusiastically received, and he delivered to the assembled multitude an important speech upon the position of the liberal party. He declared the intention of the Government to maintain fully the principles he had enunoiated during the Midlothian campaign, and to carry out the programme then laid down. It was in pursuance of the coarse that he had then indicated that England was endeavouring to settle the condition of affairs in the East

The Czar hag left St. Petersburg on a visit to livadia, his summer seat ia the Crimea.

Negotiations continue between the Great Powers and Turkey concerning the Greek frontier difficulty. The Porte now suggests that if Turkey oonsents to the surrender to Greece of the territory demanded by the recent Berlin Conference she is entitled to some Indemnity therefor, either In the shape of a guarantee for the maintenance of her remaining territory, or of a money pay. ment which will enable her to reotify the Condition of the finance* of the Empire. The difficulty experienced by the Cape Government in carrying out their polioy for the disarmament of the natives in Basntoland is being overcome. Most of the chiefs havo given in their submission, and are using their influence to Induce the natives to surrender their arms. The excitement is subsiding, and there.is now no danger of an outbreak,

August Slat. The Iriah Home Bale members continued their obstruction to votes on the Estimates providing for the maintenance of the police torce la Ireland. After a series of reoriminatery scenes they were finally induced to withdraw their opposition, and the votes were allowed to pass. The Ground Game Bill, giving the tenants the right to lures and rabbits, despite the landlord*, has passed the second reading in the House of Lords by a majority of 48 votes. - The Tory peers, whilst expressing their objections to the principles enunoiated In the bill, abstained from voting.

September Ist. The relations between Montenegro and Turkey have been further complicated by the former demanding 1,250,000 francs as an indemnity for the delay and. loss incurred owing to the refusal of the Porte to give effect to the stipulations of the Berlin Treaty by which certain territory was to be ceded to Montenegro. The Queen of Holland has been safely delivered of a daughter. Her Royal Highness, who is only 22 years of age, is a daughter of Prince George Victor of Waideck, and was married on the 7th of January, 1879, to William m, who was born in 1817.

A strong agitation has been set on foot for the unification of Bulgaria, and efforts are being made to bring about the formation of & Bulgarian State, which shall combine with the Northern State the province south of the Balkans now known as the tributary province of Roumelia, under Aleko Pasha. Secret societies are actively at work, and in the event of any disturbance arising, it is believed that a United Bulgaria will be proolaimed.

September 2nd. Baron d'Haymerle, the Austrian Chancellor, has gone to Frledrichsruhe, a town on the German and Austrian frontier, for the purpose of conferring with Prince Bismarck, the German Chancellor, on the disturbed condition of the Turkish provinces. This step has excited much interest in political circles, and is regarded as an indication of the maintenance of unity of action between the two Empires concerning affairs in the East.

The Jesuit and other religious orders in Franoe, against whom the decree ef expulrion from the country was being enforced, have offered their submission to the Government. They undertake to secularise their educational establishments, and upon this understanding an arrangement has been arrived at

Chili his obtained an undeniable snperiority in the war raging between the South American Bepnblics. Her fleet is bombarding Callao, and operations are also being undertaken against Lima, the Peruvian capital. The Chilian Government have announced their intention of annexing Bolivia, the State whose action in regard to the mineral fields first caused the outbreak of war.

Edward Trickett, the Australian champion sculler, is in steady training, He has been doing hard work for the last fortnight, and is getting into excellent condition. He rows daily from Putney to Bunev. Kelly, the well-known ex-champion, is superintending his training, and is assisted by Jack Thompson, the bookmaker, who came specially from Australia to give his services. Trickett's form is rapidly improving. A conflict is imminent between the House of Lords and House of Commons in consequence of the rejection by the former of several important measures, and the amendment of others. Amongst those rejected have been tiie Irish Tenants' Compensation Bill and the Irish Registration Bill. In the Ground Game BUI an amendment has been earned which nullifies the principal pro. V*°*P**i to the farmers, the inalienable "ght to hares and rabbits, and allowing freedom of contract in this matter. The GoTwnmentaro determined to insist on the «w!ft£ Bni ! ny t fr ? llea - Mucll excitement exists throughoutthecountry, andthewtioa

of the Peers is denounoed by the Radical Press.

_ , r September 3rd. In the Italian Chamber of Deputies the Minister of War has submitted the Military Budget for the ensuing year, whioh shows an jjnorease on the preceding year of L 2,000,000. This increase was declared to be necessary in view of threatening contingencies, aad in order to plaoe Italy in a relative position of strength with regard to the other Powers. The. tenth anniversary of the battle of Sedan waa celebrated yetterday en fete throughout Germany. At Berlin grand military festivities were held. The Lanperor issued a proclamation to the army reminding them of their glorious victory, and declaring that upon them he relies for the defence and maintenance of the German Empire. Turkey continues her preparations for resistance. The forts in the Dardanelles have been strengthened, and the passage rendered almost impregnable. The Turkish squadron in the Mediterranean has been reinforoed.

Intelligence from the Cape states that the troubles arising from the enforcement of the disarmament of the natives in Basutolani are being renewed. The natives are strenuously opposed to giving up their arms, and refuse to obey the demands of the Government. Precautions are being taken to prevent any serious disturbance. London, September 4th, An exciting scene occurred in the House of Commons yesterday. The Home Rulers were pursuing their tactics of obstruction, in which Mr Philip Callen, the member for County Loutb, made himself specially prominent. He was several times called to order, but he defied the authority of the Speaker. After warning him in vain, the Speaker proceeded to name the hon. member, and called upon the leaders of the House to maintain the authority of the chair. Acting under the new rules recently agreed upon for the purpose of preventing obstruction, the House resolved that Mr Philip Callen be suspended from the exercise of his funotions as a member. During the continuance of the sentence of suspension Mr Callen will be unable te take any part in tbe proceedings of Parliament.

The Nihilist*, after some months of quiescenoe, are again exhibiting aotivity. The conciliatory measures adopted by General Lorig Melikoff had a satisfactory result, but the withdrawal of the dictatorial powers conferred upon him has again aroused ani* mosity against the Caar, Plots to blow up the Caw are reported to have baeu dis. covered, but they have been frustrated by the activity of the police. The •triotegt precautions have been taken to preserve the personal safety of the Czar. Mr Gladstone 1 * health has b«en much better ilnoe hig oraise. After visiting the eottta of Ireland and SootUnd he has returned to London, and ii prepared tororam* his official functions. The Burials Bill, which provides for giving to Dissenters the right of having the funeral aervioes read by their own ministers in the churchyards, has been passed by the Lords. The measure was originally introduced by the Government in the Lords, but some amendments were made in the Commons extending its operations, to which the Peers objected. They were, however, induced to withdraw their opposition, and the measure has new become law. The Employers' Liability Bill, providing that employers shall be liable for accidents to their workmen caused by the negligence of fellow-employed, has been passed by the House of Lords.

The Great Powers have determined upon carrying out the threatened naval demonstration against Turkey. The Porte has been officially informed that the cession of territory to Montenegro offered by Turkey iB not a satisfactory fulfilment of the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin. Squadrons representing the navies of England, Germany, Russia, Italy, and Austria have assembled at Ragusa, in the Adriatic The French squadron has not arrived, and it is considered possible that France will withdraw from co-operation with the movement. The command of the allied fleets will be taken by Sir F. Seymour, the admiral of the British Mediterranean fleet.

September Bth. It has been officially announced that the Prince of Wales will be unable to visit Melbourne during the holding of the International Exhibition. He was desirous of undertaking the trip to Australia, but has been obliged to abandon his intention owing to the condition of publio affairs. The long-pending difficulty arising out of the Montenegro frontier has at length been settled. The Albanians, acting under the advice of the Porte, upon whom strong influence was brought by the Powers, have undertaken to withdraw their opposition to the cession of Duloigno, the seaport on the Adriatic, which Turkey had consented to give to Montenegro in place of the territory ceded by the Berlin Treaty. It is reported that General Skobeloff, the leader of the Russian expedition against the Tekke Turcomans in Central Asia, has suffered a disastrous defeat near Geok Tepi, one of the chief strongholds of the Turcomans, and that he has been obliged to retreat.

A disastrous fire has occurred at Sofia, one of the principal cities in Bulgaria, which has nearly destroyed the town. Several mosques and churches were burnt. The fire is attributed to incendiarism, arising out of the political and religious troubles existing in the country. The aspect of affairs in Europe is regarded as ominous to the prospects of peace. In Russia great military preparations are going on, and there are unmistakable signs that she is preparing for a winter campaign. The state of affairs in the Balkan PeninBula is causing grave alarm. Secret movements are on foot for the union of the provinces of Bulgaria north and south of the Balkans.

It is reported that Bulgaria, acting at the instigation of Russia, will declare her independence in October.

The action of France with regard to the Daval demonstration against Turkey, organised by the European Powers, is stUl uncertain. No absolute refusal to join has been given by the French Government, but whibt the navies of the other Powers have assembled at the rendezvous at Ragusa, an Austrian port on the AdrjatiQ, the French fleet is yet absent.

(Special to thb Melbourne Argus.)

London, August 3 1st. Four Land League meetings were held in Ireland on Sinday, at which resolutions were passed to abolish " landlordism."

September 2 ad. A Parliamentary crisis is threatened in consequence of recent action on the part of the House of Lords, which has offended the Irish by rejecting the Tenants Compensation Bill, annoyed the farmers by aweading the Game Bill, and displeased tbe working classes by rejecting certain clauses in the EmpkyW Liability Bill. Yesterday tbe House of Lords rejected the Irish Registration BilL Though the Government assisted in parsing the measure through the House of Commons, the Irish members are now avenging the loss of the bill in the House of Lords by blocking the Appropriation Bill. The House of Lords has al«o rejected some amendments made by the House of Commons in the Burials Bill. All this has encouraged a new agitation sgalcgt the House of Lords, and there is serious friction between the two Houses, which delays the prorogation of Parliament.

September 3rd. The friction has increased between the House of Lords (headed by Lord Redesdale) and the House of Commons.

September 4th. Mr W. K. Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, in alluding to the difficulty which has arisen between the two Houses of Parliament, made a quasi threat that the con stitution of the House of Lords would be changed if it continued its opposition to the wishes of the people. Toe statement of the Minister has caused considerable sensation. Most of the papers deprecate Mr Forater's remarks.

Alluding to Mr Parnell's proposal to reßort to a «• tack," Mr Forster aaid that the latter was only warranted by the greatest emergency, and such an emergency had not arisen.

Mr John Bright as well as Mr Forster has has hinted at a ohange in the constitution of the House of Lords.

The House of Lords has agreed to the amendments made by the House ef Commons in the Burials Bill, and the Employers' Liability Bill. *

September Bth. j The Times, referring to the abandonment j by the Prince of Wales of hit proposed trip to Australia, says that the Melbourne Exhibition is likely to be interesting and initruotiye, but it would ba more successful if the Victorian Government would abandon its prejudices *nd allow exhibits te ba sold dttiy September Bth. Austria, Germany, and Roumania have concluded a treaty to guarantee the lnteg. rity of Roumania, with a view to the erection of a kingdom to shut oat Russia from Bulgaria, < September 9th. H.M.S. Bacohante, on board of which are the Prince of Wales' sons, is not going to Australia, as was at one time expected. The newspapers, referring to the announcement of the annexation of Tahiti by France, comment on the indifference now displayed to an act which in former times would have created much sensation.

The following messages have appeared in Australian papers to hand by the s.s. Rotomahana, at Russell :—

(Spscial to the Melbodene Hebald.)

London, September 14th. A discovery has been made of a projected attempt to wreck a train on the London and North Western Railway. The police, attending to information received, proceeded to a certain spot, near Buchey, in Hertfordshire, where a quantity of dynamite was found close to the line over which a passenger train was shorly to pass. No motive has yet been ascribed for the intended outrage, but the police are actively prosecuting inquiry into the matter. Although the French Government for some time past have shown reluctance in joining the other Great Powers in bringing pressure to bear on the Porte, they have not abstained from co-operation in the naval demonstration being made in the Adriatic. Their naval contingent has now joined the combined squadrons at lUgusa, where it remains for the present. Hanlan, the Canadian rowing champion, who was a passenger by the disabled Inman steamer City of Richmond, arrived at Qaeenstown to-day.

Constantinople, September 13th. No settlement has yet been brought about between the Albanians and Montenegrins, and grave doubts continue to be entertained whether the cession of Dulcigno will be accomplished without resort to arms. Rfei Pasha who was sometime ago ordered by the Sultan to proceed to the vicinity of Dulcigno, and has since remained in proximity to the town, has received instructions from the Government that inasmuch as the Albanians persistently maintain their previous attitude of hostility, he is not to resist the forcible occupation of Dulcigno should this be attempted by the Montenegrins.