INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1787, 20 February 1886, Page 9

INTERCOLONIAL.

<Reuter's Teiechums.} Sydney, Febrtrary 11. Sir John Robertson has received a cablegram from Premier M'Donald, of Canada, stating that the Canadian Government are desirous of having a conference with the Governments of 80 "^ Wnlcs anfl New Zealand on the possibility of establishing a mail service! between the throe countries, with tho terminus- a* British Columbia. Ihe Canadian Premier trusts that ]ho_sub]ert will bo mutually discu^ed before the „ "I conclusion of any arrangements for subsidising a line via San Francinvj.

m t«, r. ii. R ; o)NKY < February 25; ll'e Litngow Colhovy has tuken fire Three men are known to Ye still in the workings Thewhole place k now a mass of smoke. Every effort is beiug used to rescue those who aredown, but it is feared their exertions will provst fruitless. 4 *

Further tidings are to hand from Lithgow relative to the outbreak of fire in one of the coal-mines near the township. • The exertions made to rescue the mine manager and the two men who were unable to escape resulted in the recovery of the manager in an unconscious state. The other two men have been brought up dead, apparently having been suffocated. Sydney, February IC. The firo is still burning in Lithgow colliery, all efforts to extinguish the flames having proved unavailing. The manager of the mm%, who was rescued in a state of insensibility, has siuco died.

Melbourne, February 11. The monthly produce report of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) states that the average wheat crop this season in South Australia is under three bushels per acre. What grain there is is small and shrivelled, and it is expected very little will be available for export from the Colony. Melbourne, February 12.

A somewhat serious collision took place outside the Heads at an early hour this morning, between the steamers Newcastle and Namoi. There was a thick fog at the time, which prevented the vessels from seeing each other. The Newcastle sustained considerable damage, while the injury to the Namoi was only of a slight character.

It has been ascertained that in the collision off the Heads this morning between the Newcastle and Namoi both vessels sustained great damage, though fortunately none of the passengers or crew were injured. New Zealand wheat is at 3s 3d per bushel ; New Zealand oats, 2s 4d ; maize, per 561b, 3s 3d. Sugar maintains previous quotations. Melbourne, February 16. The local manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Li-mited) reports on the Melbourne market as follows :— Shipping wheat meets with firm and active demand at 4s Id per bushel. New Zealand feed oats are quieter at 2s 6d to 3s Id. Milling oats are moderately inquired for at 3s 2d to 3s 3d. New Zealand oats (under bond), 2s 4d to 2s 6d per bushel. Ryegrass is in fair demand at 4s to 4s 9d per bushel. Cocksfoot, 4£d to 4|d per lb. Cooktown, February 16. A boat accident, which it is feared is involved with fatal consequences, took place here yesterday. The lugger Arthur capsized during a heavy squall, and 12 of her passengers are missing. Search is being made, but strong apprehensions are felt that all are drowned.