INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.)

Otago Witness, Issue 953, 25 April 1889, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.)

| , , „ Mblbouenb, April 19. The Customs authorities have seized and detained a large consignment of Zola's works until the Commissioner of Customs decides ■whe.ther they are fit for circulation. Wheat is quieter, at 5s 8d to 5s 9d. New Zealand barley to arrive has been sold at ss'Bdto 5s lOd. l ■ .. . April 2l. Yesterday 'evening a pilot engine on the

Ssndhurst railway line dashed into a stationary passenger train. The latter was partially telescoped, but fortunately no one was killed, though 10 persons received slight injuries 1 . April 22.-

A disastrous fire broke out at 6.30- this evening in the Bijou Theatre, which, along with the Palace Hotel adjoining, was destroyed. The fire was still burning at 10 o'clock, but was under control. The scarcity of water was severely felt, and the brigades were rendered helpless. Three firemen were killed by a falling wall,' arid three others were seriously injured. It is believed that the damage will exceed £Bo,ooo, but owing to the .holiday no accurate information can be obtained. ' April 23. . Further particulars of the fire at the Bijou Theatre show that it broke out in the dress circle. The theatre was speedily destroyed, but the Palace Hotel, in the front, facing Bourke street, was saved, though considerably damaged by water. W. Marshall's (theatrical printers) premises adjoining were also burnt down. Captain Parsons, of the East Melbourne Fire Brigade, and a, man named Williams was killed by a falling wall, and Firemen Pen, Banks, Scott, and Morris, Lieutenant Thomas, and Constable Coffey were seriously injured. The loss is estimated at £40,000. Marshall's loss is £6500. Messrs Broagh and Boucicault (lessees of the theatre) estimate their personal loss at £10,000. They are uninsured. The theatre was insured for £15,000.

Sydney, ApriMB. The German warship Olga having been docked, it has been ascertained that the vessel has not sustained the slightest injury below the water line by going ashore 'at Apia. " ' . • A young man of 18, named MMaddern r has been sentenced to death for attempting to poison a man named Fosgrove at Glen Innes. April 19. The Sydney Morning Herald says that the unnecessary holding back of New Zealand grain is not the best poKcy. If persisted in it will lead Sydney buyers to look to San Francisco and even India for supplies, in which case New Zealand will have" competition to face later on that will be very prejudical to her interest. April 22. The Colonial Sugar Company have advanced their sugar syrups by £1 per ton. April 23. At the annual sale of yearlings the local Dukenfield Park and Leeholme were the principal studs represented. In all 76 lots were sold, realising 6433g5. The highest price was obtained for a Goldsborongh— Ida colt, 400gs. Mr Greenaway bought the Epigram— Selena colt for shipment to New Zealand, the price being 230gs. Adelaide, April 18. An extraordinary rainfall has taken place, and Lake Torrens overflowed its banks. ■ The Adelaide Rowing Club's boatsheds, which contained boats to the value of £400, were washed away during the flood, and a man' nwned M'Namara was drowned. Mrs Dawkins and daughter were drowned in the floods at Two Wells. Many narrow j escapes are recorded. A Large number of' small craft were wrecked ia the gale at Port Adelaide. April 23. ,' A man named Bonnay has been arrested on a charge of beating his wife to death. ■ Bbisbane, April 23. News has been received from New Guinea to the effect that Togari, the head of the hunting tribe in the island, had murdered an Englishman, a Swede, and a Malay, all of whom were engaged at beche-de-mer fishing.