INTERCOLONIAL. (Reuter's Telegrams.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1858, 1 July 1887, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL. (Reuter's Telegrams.)

Melbourne, June 23.

Lord Brassey has written to the Argus commenting on the unsatisfactory condition of the Australian squadron. He suggests that the Imperial Government should send four ironclads to be permanently stationed at Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, and Wellington.

A fancy-dress" ball given by the Governor last night was the most brilliant affair ever held in Melbourne.

June 24.

An influential deputation waited on the Premier yesterday to urge an amendment of the Electoral Act to give the franchise to women. Mr Gillies Btated that he was unable to deal with the question this session, but promised to closely consider the views of the deputation.

An immense Sunday school demonstration is taking place to-day in the Exhibition Buildings. Fully 20,000 persons are participating in the proceedings.

The Government declined to release any prisoners in honour of her Majesty's jubilee.

June 27.

Mr Thomas Chirnside, of Werribee Park, committed suicide yesterday by shooting himself with a gun while in a state of insanity.

June 28.

The manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company of. New Zealand reports as follows of the local grain market : — In shipping wheat the market is depressed at 3s lOd to 3s lid ; malting barley is steady, but not in active demand, at 4s 9d to 5s 6d ; New Zealand oats, feeding sorts, are in rather more inquiry, prices being 2s 9d to 3s ; milling oats are less depressed, but not much doing, quotations being 2s lOd to 2s lid; New Zealand oats under bond are quiet at 2s to 2s 2d.

Sydney, June 24. Wheat i3at 3s 3d to 3s 9d ; oats, Is 9d to 2s 2d ; maize, 3s 3d ; potatoes, 50s to 555.

June 25.

Human remains have been found at Bermagui, which are supposed to be ,those of Lamont Young's party, which disappeared seven years ago and has not since heard of.

June 27.

It is now considered doubtful whether the remains which were recently discovered at Bermagui are those of Lamont Young and party as at first supposed.

June 28.

Fears are entertained for the safety of the ship Earl of Zetland, which left Liverpool on February 26, and was sighted from Gabo, about 240 miles south of Sydney, on the Bth inst., but has not since been heard of.

In the Legislative Assembly last night the Premier annourced that to celebrate the centenary of the colony the Government propose to erect a State house on the Lacfilan Reserve near Sydney, and to convert the reserve into- a park. The whole cost of the undertaking would be £150,000, which is to be recouped to the colony by the sale of some of the land. The press express disapproval of the proposal.

Beisbane, June 25,

Two volunteers were seriously wounded today by the bursting of the charge of a gun during practice at the encampment now being held.

Adelaide, June 23.

Much still remains to be done at the exhibition, but the attendance both yester-

day and to-day was good} id spite.o f the" unfavourable weather.

' June^;

The wheat ndarkel; is considerably depressed, and purchases are limited to pressing requirements. Wheat is qitoted at from 3s lid to 4s, but farmers are holding back, being unwilling to submit to a reduction in prices. In flour there is very little demand, and none whatever for export. Town brands are quoted at £9 10s to £10 ; country brands, £8 to £8 10s.

Splendid rain has fallen throughout the colony during the past few days.