INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 15

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Reoter's Telegrams.) Melbourne, September 9. A telegraphic despatch from the Secretary for the Colonies to the Governor of Victoria, dated August 16, has been made public. Colonel Stanley announces that if the Colonies jointly guarantee the payment of £15,000 annually the Government are willing to proclaim the Queen's sovereignty over New Guinea, and to give a suitable ship, valued at £18,000, in order to carry on the government of the country. Sydney, September 9. The division on the Premier's motion was taken at an early hour this morning, the motion being carried by 31 votes to 27. A further motion to expel Sir H. Parkes from the Assembly was decisively negatived, the members of the Government voting against it, and only the mover and seconder in its favour.

In the Legislative Assembly to-day an amendment to the Address-in-Reply to the Goveruor'6 Speech was moved by the leader of the Opposition, to the effect that the Government was deserving of censure for not calling Parliament together earlier. . The debate is still proceeding.

Brisbane, September 5. News to hand from Normanton reports the loss of the barque Rockhampton, of 417 tons, Captain Kellin, at that place. The vessel took fire, and was burnt to the water's edge, her destruction being completed by the ignition of a quantity of dynamite she had on board as part of her cargo, which exploded, and blew the vessel to pieces.