INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.) Melbourne, November 26.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 14

INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.) Melbourne, November 26.

When Parliament meets, the Government will introduce an irrigation loan bill of £350,000 to meet the obligations of the late Government. November 28. A revolting murder is reported from Mount Riddle. The naked trunk of a man, supposed to be an Indian hawker, has been discovered, the severed limbs being found some 300 yds away. December 1. Mr G. D. Langridge, Commissioner of Customs and Chief Secretary, has propounded a scheme for the establishment of an industrial labonr chamber, to prevent any strikes that may occur being carried to a great length. The chamber, which will be established by Act of Parliament, will consist of capital and labour repretentatives, to be presided over by a Supreme Court judge and someone selected by the Governor from the Executive Council. December 2. A terrible tragedy took place near Daylesford to-day. A man named Avison suspecting his wife of infidelity, returned home unexpectedly and found her paramour, a man named Hoare, in the house. Avison attacked him savagely with a tomahawk, which he drove several times into his head, and was only prevented from killing his wife by the intervention of a friend. Hoare is dying. Sydney, November 26. The Edith May, from Dunedin (49 days out), has arrived. She experienced a succession of gales. November 27. The position regarding the rabbit pest is daily becoming alarming, as they are swarming in millions along the Lachlan, Darling, Murrumbidgee rivers, eating up all before them,

The Right Rev. George Henry Stanton, Bishop of Northern Queensland, has been elected Bishop of Newcastle. Archdeacon Harper, who was nominated, received only two out of 105 votes.

A scene of a somewhat sensational character took place in the Theatre Royal to-night. It appears that a seaman named Payne, belonging to one of the British warships in harbour, who was apparently under the influence of liquor, several times disturbed the performance, and at the end of the act the doorkeeper remonstrated with him. Payne thereupon re-entered the theatre, jumped on the stage, and drawing a revolver shot himself seriously in the groin.

November 29.

Payne, who created a sensation by attempting to commit suicide on the stage of the Theatre Royal on Thursday night, belonged to H.M.S. Orlando. He is in a critical state. Unrequited affection is believed to have been the cause of the man attempting to take his life.

A new Licensing Bill, introduced into the Legislative Assembly by Sir Henry Parkes, provides for the granting of licenses to publicans for a period of three years. This lengthened term of license will be regarded as sufficient compensation to the publican for any loss he may suffer thereafter. The measure also sets forth that a two-thirds majority of householders can prevent the renewal of a license, and a simple majority can reduce the number of licenses in any district by a certain number, or determine whether or not new licenses are to be granted.

November 30.

The Intercolonial Eight-oared race yesterday was won by the Victorian crew, Queensland second, and New Sonth Wales third. The Queensland crew had the race well in hand when, unfortunately, they broke an oar when within three hundred yards of the winning post, which resulted in throwing them back. The New South Wales crew were nowhere.

In military circles it is reported that RearAdmiral Lord Charles Scott would be not unwilling to remove the headquarters of the Australian squadron from Sydney to New Zealand ; and further, that his desire is not altogether unconnected with the recent dispute aa to the precedence of the admiral of the fleet as " his Excellency."

December 1.

Ibbot, the Swedish faster, is very weak from the effects of his self-imposed task, and is reduced to a mere skeleton of his former self. He is still confident of success.

Bbisbane, November 26.

The debate on Sir S. Griffith's resolutions, dividing the colony Into three provinces, was adjourned for a fortnight, the proposal being thus practically shelved, Sir S. W. Griffith complained of the attitude of the Northern and Central members, and considers it hardly worth while to continue the debate.

November 28.

A further forecast of the weather by the Government meteorologist shows that New Zealand chiefly will be visited by unsettled weather, and that throughout further disturbance waves will probably approach before long.

November 29.

The Chief Inspector of Stock for Queensland is of opinion that Dr Koch's discovery may prove a valuable remedy for tuberculosis in cattle.

An epidemic of scarlatina has broken out in the city. The disease, which is of a dangerous type, is spreading rapidly.

Adelaide, November 27.

The Constitution Amendment Bill which provides for the appointment of two additional Ministers, one for labour and one for agriculture, has passed its second reading in the Assembly.

November 28. The total export of cereals for the year shows an increase in value of £850,000 over the exports of previous year.

December 1.

The Government of South Australia has formally accepted a reduction in the cable rates on the basis that non-contributing colonies should pay higher rates, or if their cables are sent at reduced rates that they should pay the loss incurred in the transmission.

Perth, November 27.

The Defence Commission have completed the inspection of the defences of King George Sound, and as a result of their deliberations a cablegram has been sent to England for a number of guns. Sir F. T. Sargood will attend to details in connection with the defence works.

Hobakt, November 28.

The cattle on board the Tarawera for this port were not landed, owing to the quarantine not being completed. They were sent on to Melbourne.