INTERCOLONIAL. MELBOURNE. March 12.

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 14

INTERCOLONIAL. MELBOURNE. March 12.

Important changes are contemplated in the working of the Victorian railways. The Government have informed the Commissioners that the railways must be made to pay, and therefoie that the train mileage must be reduced, and that the proportion of staff to mileage must also be reduced, and younger men, skilled in the construction of cheap lines, must be appointed to the positions of engineer- in- chief and engineer of existing lines. The prisoner Bourke has been sentenced to death for the murder of a fellow prisoner in Hamilton gaol. The trial of Johnston, late stock and station agent at Ballarat, for the murder of his wife and four children, has been concluded. The jury brought in a verdict of wilful murder against Johnston. The evidence given during the trial showed that Johnston, under great pressure, gave the manager of the bank at "which he kept his account a cheque for L6SOO in payment of certain liabilities, and it was afterwards discovered that this cheque was a forgery, but. the friend whose name Johnston forged honoured it. The WesJcyan Conference has decided to take legal advice as to what steps are necessary to extend the term of ministerial residence :on circuit from three years to five years, *

I Mblboubnb, March 16. Thomas Phelan, locomotive driver, who ■ was sentenced to death for the murder of his paramour, Ada Hatton, at South Yarra, on the 15th January, was hanged this morning. Sstdnby, March 11. Steamers from the various groups of the South Sea Islands report tremendous gales. The ship Riverdale was wrecked at the same ' spot as the Ayrshire at Noumea. A steamer went to her assistance, but it was not known when the mail left whether the crew were safe. A small craft belonging to Fiji was 1 wrecked on that group, and it is feared all iivea were lost. The gales were severely felt in Samoa and Tonga. The Hon. J. G. Ward has had several interviews with the South Australian and ' Tasmanian Ministers relative to reciprocity of New Zealand natural products. The Ministers of both colonies favoured the excbange of products, and expressed their desire to see negotiations brought abotffc between the respective Governments and continued by means of correspondence. The ' prospects of |reciprocity were also discussed with the Victorian Postmaster-general, but Mr Duffy said that his Government were unfavourable to the proposal, and he could hold out no hope of reciprocity in natural products being brought! about between Victoria and New Zealand. March 12. Despite the dullness in mining business a purchaser has been found for the Tokatea group of mines at Coromandel, New Zealand. The sale was effected by Mr Witheford.'Jof the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, who is now on a visit here. £1000 has been deposited as a guarantee. The purchaser intends to expend £15,000 in developing the mines. The leading Roman Catholic prelates of Australia here held a meeting, and have issued a manifesto emphatically condemning the preposeel campaign of the Irish delegates. It was resolved that while deeply sympathising with the Irish cause they could not extend support to either party while the present unhappy condition of affairs lemained unsettled. March 14. - Dr Wilkinson has made several experiments with Koch's tuberculine, and so fa* the results have proved satisfactory. Adelaide, March 14. Owing to Western Australia having failed to conform with the resolution- passed at the Stock Conference, .held at Sydney, the eastern colonies have issued a proclamation prohibiting the importation of horses and cattle from that part of Australia. In consequence of this several horses engaged in the Adelaide Cup have been 'refused admission. | Bbisbane, March 12. ' In consequence of the general call oat ordered by the Central Council, large bodies of troops are being sent to the disturbed districts. March 16. i An attempt was made to wreck the train cdnveying the military to Barcaldihe.' A large piece of iron was placed across the rgils, but luckily it was discovered in time to ayert an accident. 1 Hobabt, March 13. ' It is currently rumoured here that the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company are about to sell out, to amalgamate with the Union Steam Ship Company. The chairman of directors and manager of ! the former proceeded to Dunedin by the ! Rotomahana. 1 Peeth, March 17. ' Wyndham, a town at Cambridge Gulf, was visited by a cyclone. One-third of the town was completely destroyed, but no loss of life is reported.