INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1975, 26 September 1889, Page 15

INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.)

Melbourne v September 18.

At the convention of the National League Mr Dillon thanked the Irish of Australia for ♦he splendid assistance they had afforded the' National cause. He said Ireland was ■now &t the supreme crisis of her history, and almost within sight of victory. Her fate depended on the course of affairs during the next two or three years and the issue of the next general election.

September 19

A Bill has been introduced into the Assembly to prevent the publication of Sunday newspapers.

September 20.

Government has received information that at a meeting of the Colonial Agents-general in London it was decided to ask the Imperial Government to intervene to prevent the concession to an American Company of the exclusive right to land telegraph and cables in Hawaii.

The House last night passed a resolution increasing the duty on woollen manufactures to 30 per cent. Mr M'Lean's motion raising the duty on maize, beans, peas, and hops was carried, and also a motion increasing the duty on wheat to 2s lid per cental.

Michael Walsh, the man who pointed a pistol at Mr Dillon, has been the recipient of a letter, illegibly signed, stating, " I am sorry to 3ay you are acting a second Pigott for the Age and its bigotted readers. Mind you don't meet Pigott's fate ; yours is a put up job."

September 21.

A clerk in George's drapery establishment, where the disastrous fire broke out on the evening of September 13, has confessed that he accidentally set fire to the place by dropa "match, and that he was unable to extinguish the fire.

The Antarctic Committee have received an offer from a well-known Norwegian whaler to send two steamers to the Antarctic regions on an exploration cruise for a subsidy of £6000 each.

Sydney, September 18.

The Premier stated in the Legislative Assembly last night that Admiral Fairfax had tried to remove the naval station to Melbourne because of the greater display of " jingoism " in Victoria.

The Observatory here has received a cable from Professor Thury, of Geneva, intimating that changes are taking place on ihe moon's surface in the centre of the crater of Plinius. September 19. The Council has passed the Payment of Members Bill by a majority of one.

The floods have left Deniliquin North in a most deplorable condition, and the picture depicted is one vast sheet of water. Several narrow escapes from drowning are reported, inhabitants only being rescued in boats. September 20.

The Trades and Labour Council has decided to promote a bill prohibiting the introduction into New South Wales of foreign or British workmen under agreements or contracts.

Weaver, who was sentenced to death at Fiji for the murder of Captain Greenless, has had the penalty commuted to imprisonment for life.

September 22.

An explosion of firedamp occurred in a new coal mine near Lake Macquarrie. Robinson and Fraser were fche only two men below at the time, and both were badly injured.

September 23.

An unfortunate boy named Clarke met with a horrible death to-day, being crashed into a shapeless mass beneath the steam street roller. The floods in the Deniliquin district are September 24.

subsiding. A letter, jointly signed by Malietoa and Mataafa, has been received from Samoa sincerely thanking the people of Sydney for their contributions of food in aid of distressed Samoans.

The Sydney Morning Herald published an article this morning reviewing the work done by the last New Zealand Parliament. It considers that the compromise suggested by the Ministry with respect' to the question of representation was a fair one, and that the city members would have acted wisely in accepting it instead of founding charges of partiality against the Government. It goes on to say that the outcome of -the conflict was to render the position of the Government more secure though, strange to say, their command of the House was not made one whit firmer. Summing up, tbe Herald says that " while the Government weathered the session there were unmistakeable warnings that unless they were prepared to essentially modify the property tax, or submit a method of increasing the revenue more in harmony with public sentiment, they would be lefc out in the cold at the next general election," This result,

the Herald thinks, would be regretted, considering that Sir H. A. Atkinson had done so much to restore the credit of the colony. Adelaide, September 18. Country advices indicate that the harvest will be several weeks late, but the crops are expected to give a satisfactory yield.

September 20. Bishop Kennion has petitioned the Archbishop of Canterbury not to consecrate Canon Smith as Bishop of Sydney till the question of the validity of his election has been settled.

There is a panic on the Exchange owin to the discovery that a large quantity of forged scrip, principally of Broken Hill mines, is in circulation.

Thursday Island, September 18. A rush has set in at Hammond Island, where good gold has been discovered, and the town is almost deserted.

September 21. The following items of Eastern news has been received per British and India Company's steamer : —

The Dutch have inflicted heavy losses on the Chinese, and the later, on being beaten, made a hasfcy retreat. The rulers of the neighbouring petty states have been fined 50,000d0l for allowing the invasion.

It is stated that the Chinese Government have discharged all foreigners from the naval service.

It is reported that the Government of Corea is insolvent.

It is Anticipated that the Chinese Government will have trouble with the people living in the districts lately inundated. The latter, who are suffering great misery, display a most warlike spirit, and unless the Government render material aid without delay a rebellion on a much larger scale than anything since the Taeping rebellion will ensue.

September 23. News from China states that the Marquis Tseng is seriously indisposed.

A terrible earthquake took place at Kumanioto, in Japan, on August 29. There were 53 shocks altogether. Thirty-one houses were demolished and 15 persons killed. Bridges were destroyed, and rents opened in the ground in 15 places. Details from China of the latest inundation of the Yellow river show that the stream burst its banks in a dozen places. Temples, houses, and whole villages were swept away, and frightful loss of life was the result.

September 24. The following items of Eastern news have been received per British India Company's mail steamer : —

It appears that the recent fight between the Dutch and Acheenese was indecisive. The former evacuated the fort, which was taken at heavy loss. The Acheenese are preparing to make another attack on the Dutch.

A semi-official Japanese paper says that many of the senators oppose the employment of foreigners in judicial positions, and also the publication of the civil codes in English for the benefit o£ aliens.