INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 17 July 1890, Page 15

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Per Pbess Association.) Melbotjbne, July 10. The Premier intends to reopen the question of obtaining permission for the colony to coin silver at the Melbourne mint. July 12, Mr Derham, Postmaster-general, is communicating with the various Colonial Governments for the purpose of ascertaining their views on Mr Goschen's refusal to pontribute towards the cable guarantee.,

Owing to representations by meiflbers Of the railway caucus, the Government is e±tending the limit of the new railway lines proposed from 250 to 300 miles. July 13. The Premier having refused to interview the unemployed, the crowd proceeded to the railway station and interviewed Mr Speight, chairman of the Railway Board, who promised to submit their representations to the Chief Secretary. Subsequently the unemployed held an indignation meeting, at which resolutions were carried censuring Ministers for their unconstitutional treatment, and declaring the, 1 establishment of relief works necessary. July 14. Several extensive burglaries have been reported lately. Nissim's establishment was broken into, and gold and silver watches to the value of £400 stolen. July 15. The Naval and Military Club has decided to hold a naval and military tournament at the exhibition buildings about the middle of November. The tournament is to be open to the forces of the British Empire. At an influential and enthusiastic meeting this evening a resolution was passed to the effect-that it is desirable to open libraries, museums, and art galleries on Sundays. Sydney, July 10. The captain of the Tarawera reports that yesterday morning on the voyage from New Zealand to Sydney a steerage passenger named John Fitzsimmons, who embarked at Lyttelton, was missed. All the passengers were mustered and the ship searched, but no trace of the man could be found. It is presumed he jumped or fell overboard. The Legislative Council has passed the Divorce Bill, and subsequently two protests signed by six members of the Oounoil were entered on the journals of the Council reflecting on the action of the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Alfred Stephen, who was accused of sending a letter from Government House to members supporting the measure before the final stage was reached. A warm debate took place over the matter to-night, and ultimately the Council by a large majority carried a motion to expunge the protests from the journals. The federation debate in the Assembly has been hung up, and the Council has adjourned the debate for a fortcight.

July 11.

A pamphlet signed "Bragge" has been circulated among members of Parliament charging the boys on the training ship Vernon with practices of a criminal nature. An animated debate took place in the House last night on the subject. The Ministers denied the truth of the statements, and said the pamphlet was the production of a wellknown ruffian.

Mr Poulson, a sporting writer of the Daily Telegraph and formerly of New Zealand, met with a serious acoident to-day, which is likely to terminate fatally. He was riding through the streets when his horse bolted, and dashed into an approaching cart, the shaft of which penetrated the rider's left thigh, perforating the limb and fracturing the pelvis. The sight was sickening as Mr Poulson hung impaled for a few moments and then fell to the ground. The sufferer was removed to the hospital. The horse was severely injured, and had to be destroyed. As showing the great damage by the recent floods, the committee report that one river district alone suffered to the extent of £50,000. July 13. A movement is on foot to secure the appointment of Sir Alfred Stephen, K.0.M.G., ' as successor to Lord Carrington as Governor of New South Wales. Sir Alfred has held the position of Acting - Governor of this colony for 18 years. The Hon. James White, the well-known sportsman and squire of Kirkham, died this afternoon from heart disease. He had been suffering for some considerable time. July U.

A discovery has been made of what is believed to be a continuation of the Broken Hill silver lode at Gualta, 70 miles west of Wilcannia. Many applications havp been put in for leases, and the ground will probably be rushed. In view of the proposed reduction of ocean postage rates, New South Wales and Victoria have approved of designs for new postage stamps of the value of 2^d. French residents celebrated the fall of the Bastile by a fete at Botany Bay. The German flag among decorations at the luncheon table excited anger, and some Frenchmen tore it down. It was, however, afterwards replaced. Mr Poulsen, the sporting writer, who met with an accident last week showed signs of slight improvement to-day, but afterwards had a relapse, and died during the afternoon.

July 15,

Mr J. E. Brown, formerly Conservator of Forests in South Australia, has entered on similar duties in New South Wales, and is organising a Forestry department. The German warships Alexandrine and Sperben have sailed for China and South Pacific stations respectively. The German squadron will rendezvous here at the end of August. Inquiries are being made by the Minister of Instruction into the charges of criminal offences alleged to have been committed by the boys on board the training ship Vernon. Up to the present it is shown that the allegations are groundless. At the sale of stud sheep Vermont rams ranged from 30gs to 260gs,~ewes from 35gs to 150gs. The funeral of the late Hon. J. White took place to-day. There was a large attendance, including the Chief Justice, city councillors, members of the Legislature, and leading citizens. Wreaths were sent by Lord Carrington, the Adelaide Jockey Club, and all the local clubs.

The steamers Heskethand Royal Shepherd came into collision last night off the heads. The latter was cut down to the bridge compass, and sank in two minutes. The .crew scrambled aboard tbo Hesketh and were saved. Brisbane, July 12. It is stated that Sir T. M'llwraith has declined an invitation from the Liberals cf Ayr, his native town, to contest that seat at the next general election. July U. On Saturday the local branches of the

Orange societies made a demonstration and paraded the streets, accompanied by large crowds. There was a strong body of police patrolling the city. The procession was saluted at various points with a good deal of hissing, but no disturbance took' plaoe. Peb,th, July 12. The Storm King, the lifeboat in which Captain Jorgensen is making a tour of the world, has sailed for Adelaide. Previous to leaving the mayor presented the adventurous traveller with a purse of sovereigns publicly subscribed. Adelaide, July 10. The Legislative Counoil has agreed to a motion that a railway conference should be held to consider the question of uniformity of gauge on the main lines of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. Hobart, July 10. Three Oppositionists and two Ministerialists have been elected delegates to the Federal Convention — namely, Messrs Bird. Clark, Brown, Burgess, and Harnall. Two more are to be selected by the Legislative Council. July 11. The motion to purchase the Tasmanian main line of railway from the company has been carried in the Assembly. July 15. Mr Arthur Peake, recently deceased, has bequeathed a sum of £35,000 for scholarships for the promotion of painting, sculpture, and astronomy at the universities at Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane.