INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Pjbb Press Association.) Melbourne, July 27. Those of the crew of the schooner Lucania who are required to give evidence ia the charge of murder against Theodore Hansen have been arrested, as it was feared that they were about to desert. .

Another of the children poisoned by the escape of gas on Wednesday night has succumbed. Tho others are recovering.

July 28.

Communications have passed between the Premier and the other colonial Governments regarding the, survey of the Pacific cable route. The Admiralty has consented to employ a second vessel, but even then the work will not be completed in two years, and Premier Gillies is anxious a third ship should be added to the squadron. Victoria is willing to share the cost with Great Britaiu, Canada, and the other colonies.

The exhibition is still in a state of great confusion, and it seems impossible for the majority of the courts to be got in readiness by the opening day. The German, French, and Austrian courts promise to be the most picturesque divisions of the exhibition. The New Zealand art collection has been arranged with considerable skill, but private exhibits are not anything like ready.

Information has been received that the disease from which Jones, one of the Australian cricket team, is suffering is smallpox, and that its true nature was kept quiet so as to prevent the detention of the remainder of the team.

July 30.

A horrible murder took place at Blacktown this afternoon, a gentleman named Black being killed by a Chinese gardener. The deceased's wife was also attacked, and is not expected to recover.

July 31.

The balance sheet of the exhibition commissioners up to the end of June shows the expenditure to have been £158,000. There remains to the credit of the commissioners the sum of £14,000. Owing to the surplus as shown in the Treasurer's Budget, Government intend to grant a fresh vote. The catalogue comprises two volumes of 150 pages each.

Sydney, July 26. A discovery of fossil bones of great value to science has been made at Myrll Creek. Four tons of remains of extinct animals of gigantic sizes, belonging to the pleistocene period, have been secured.

At the inquest to-day on the body of the man Collins who died under suspicious circumstances at Botany on Sunday week last, a verdict of wilful murder was returned against Mrs Collins.

July 28.

The miners at Newcastle have given 14 days' notice of their intention to cease work unless an agreement is entered into between the masters' and miners' associations respecting the settlement of present and future disputes. »

After consideration of Judge Windeyer's report on the Mount Kennie case the Minister of Justice states that he can see no reason to interfere with the sentences passed. In his report the judge expressed his opinion that Newman, Keegan, and Mills were guilty.

July 31.

The victim of the Blacktown murder is named Morris. He was formerly a digger in New Zealand, and is reputed to be well off. It is supposed that he quarrelled over wages •with the Chinaman, whose name was Hing Loong, who struck Morris a terrific blow on the head with a tomahawk. The latter's wife was severely hacked about the arms in her endeavours to separate the men. During the straggle the Chinaman was desperately wounded, and lies in a critical condition.

Adelaide, July 26. Hemmerling, who was injured at Greeoock by the boiler explosion, succumbed to his injuries. Tregear, another victim, lies in a critical state.

The Government are taking step 3to prevent pauper emigration to the colony.

July 31. Judgment has been given in the action

brought by the trustees of the late Robert Lawson, sheep farmer, against the Commercial Bank of Australia, which began on July 11. They claimed '£37,000, with interest from November 1 last, on account of payments improperly made out of the testator's account with the connivance of the bank's manager at Narracoorte. A verdict was given for the plaintiffs for £40,000, with costs.

Brisbane, July 27. A difficulty has arisen between the Governor and the Government regarding tho refusal by his Excellency to release a prisoner on whom an excessive sentence has been passed, although advised by the Ministry to commute the sentence. Sir Thomas -fil'llwrnitb, the Premier, has therefore asked the Governor to dismiss his Ministers. The refusal of his Excellency to release the prisoner is based upon the contention that the request of the Ministers is not supported by the report of the judge who tried the case. It is not anticipated that any serious result will arise out of the difficulty. In the Supreme Court to-day the grand jury threw out the bill against Mrs Baker charging her with the murder of her daughter at Bunya in May last.

July 28. An attempt was made last night to rob the North Queensland Bank, but it was unsuccessful. A clerk fired at the burglar and wounded him. Messrs Thomas and Maddens store at Cooktown has been destroyed by fire. It was insured for £10,000.