INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1932, 30 November 1888, Page 16

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Per Press association.) Melbourne, November 21.

A woman named Blake received a letter asking her to visit a neighbour's house, and when she returned home she found that during her absence a masked man had bound, gagged, and criminally assaulted her daughter, a girl of 17. The house had been ransacked and a quantity of jewellery stolen. The ruffian has not been captured yet.

Rumours are rife of the imminent collapse of the land boom. It is asserted that the bills of several large speculators and syndicates are not negotiable, and there is a feeling of considerable uneasiness in commercial circles. The shares of several banks and financial companies have undergone a slight decline owing to the holders being obliged

to realise.

The man Meurer, who was injured by an explosion in a powder factory at Job's Gully yesterday, died this morning. Inquiries made into the alleged outrage in the house of a woman named Blake prove that the sole object was robbery, and that a criminal assault was not committed.

The defalcations of Butler, deputy-regis-trar of the stamp branch of the Registrargeneral's department, are now ascertained to amount to £63,000. November 26. A fire occurred in the township of Walhalla, North Gippsland, last night. Thirty buildings in the business portion of the town were totally destroyed. The damage is estimated at £40,000.

r It is reported that Sir William Clarke will t offer a prize for a race between the yachts 1 Akafana and Assegai. By a boat accident at Seymour, on the Goulburn river, yesterday, two women named White and Scott, a man named Green, and' another, name unknown, were drowned. A challenge has been issued to back Sjavin in a glove fight against anyone in the world for £500 a side. November 27. Setb, a light- weight pugilist recently arrived from England, knocked out W. Murphy of New Zealand in six rounds. Murphj fought very gamely, and the contest was one of the best seen in Melbourne for some time past. Sir Samuel Wilson carries off the International Grand Champion Prize in the wool show at the exhibition. There was no award to New Zealand exhibitors in flour or wool classes. In class 72, fermented and distilled drinks, the following awards were made: — Light sparkling ale— J. Edmonds, Petone, Wellington ; and M. Joel, Danedin, third. Malt bitter ale— M. Joel, second. Bottled stout— M.Joel, third. Strong ales— M.Joel, fourth. Sydney, November 21. One hundred and sixty-nine clergymen of various denominations have petitioned Parliament against the extension of facilities for divorce. It is expected the crops in the Albury district will only give one-third of the average yield. A large proportion of growing wheat has been cut for hay, whioh is commanding an unusually high price. A large deposit of salt has been discovered at EUalong, 120 miles north of Sydney. November 22. News has been received that a German warship has visited the Gilbert Islands and punished the natives of Tarawa and Aprang for offences committed against German residents there. A number of natives were seized, and will be held pending a settlement of the dispute between the natives and Germans. Mrs Collins was tried to-day on the charge of murdering her first husband, Andrews, by poison, but the jury were unable to agree, and she was remanded in custody. In the Assembly, Sir H. Parkes' motion— 11 That an address be presented to the Queen expressing the opinion that the gentlemen who may in future be appointed as Governors of colonies should have experience of the conduct of public affairs either in a high political office or in the Imperial Parliament; further, that while disclaiming any wish to interfere with the functions of the Queen's Advisers, it is thought advisable, reasonable, and in strict, accord with the privileges constitutionally conferred on Australian subjects that the Government should be informed who is the person selected before he is actually appointed "—was carried by 45 to 2. An amendment proposed by Mr David Buchanan in favour of political separation between England and New South Wales was rejected. November 23. A large body of shearers at Walcha attacked a station and captured a number of men not belonging to the union who were working there. Another body attacked Emu creek station. After the Riot Act had been read the police fired upon them, and one man was wounded. Serious trouble is feared. Disastrous accounts of havoc caused by drought continue to come in from all parts. Work has been generally resumed in the Newcastle mines. November 24. Fourteen hundred bags of New Zealand wheat have been sold at 4s 8d to 5s 6d per bushel. Famine prices prevail in country districts. Steps are being taken to agitate for the separation of the Barrier district from New South Wales. It is suggested that the boundaries of the new State should be the 144 th meridian, thence along the Lachlan river to the Murray, following the latter to the South Australian boundary. The Pukaki, from Fiji, brings news of a large quantity of wreckage found at Lomaloma, indicating the recent loss of a large vessel. ' November 27. New Zealand wheat for the country markets is selling at 5s Sd. All the coalpits are now being worked. The officers of the Salvation Army, who were arrested at Woollongong for parading the streets, and subsequently released on the decision of the Supreme Court, have commenced proceedings against the corporation, claiming £3000 damages for false imprisonment. • Adelaide, November 21. Two railway employes named Brown and Ryan, while travelling on a railway tricycle, were cut to pieces by a train near Terawie. | Adelaide, November 23. A match was begun to-day between the Australian Eleven and an elevea of South Australia. The former went in first, but only scored 134, of which Jones made 45 and Worrall 31. The local men put together 77 for the loss of two wickets only. Adelaide, November 26. The cricket match South Australia v. The Australian Eleven was resumed yesterday. The former continued their innings, and were all disposed of for 276, the principal scorers being Wigley (44), Reedman (63), Blenman (24). Turner took two wickets for 75, Ferris three for 87, Trott three for 22, Worrall two for 20. Brisbane, November 22. A Bengal tiger, belonging to a menagerie showing in this city, escaped last night, and before it was captured one of the attendants was severely wounded by the animal. The man was torn from head to foot, his scalp being removed and his brains exposed. He lies in a very critical condition. The proprietor of the show was also badly lacerated. Brisbane, November 26. A writ has been issued against Sir A. H. Palmer (Acting Governor), Sir T. M'llwraith, and the Hons. A. V. Drury and F. H. Hart, at the instance of the Queensland Investment and Land Mortgage Company (Limited), involving the sum of £250,000 for alleged negligence and malfeasance as local directors of the company. Brisbane, November 27. By the destruction by fire of a house occupied by a selectpr named Nowark, at Mooloolah, three children were burnt. Thtjbsday Island, November 22. The Newsper, steamer, from Hongkong, reports that the Saigon rice crop has failed in consequence of the drought, but the Pekin crops are in good condition. An engagement has taken place between the Imperial

trodps and the insurrectionists at Formosa, in which the latter were completely routed. A number of soldiers were mysteriously shot in the Victoria barracks at Hongkong. Thursday Island, November 26.

While a party from the schooner Forest King were on shore among the. Islands obtaining water, they were attacked by natives. One sailor was killed by a spear, and another severely wounded. The vessel was compelled to take her departure without replenishing her casks, and the crew suffered from thirst, and one succumbed on the voyage here.

PERTHi November 20. A nugget of pare gold r weighing 108oz, has been found at Pilburra.

Perth, November 27.

The North-western Mercantile Company's premises at Roeburne, the centre of the pearlfishing industry, 1 200 miles north of this place, was destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at £15,000.