INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1945, 4 June 1891, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Peb Pkbss Association.) Melboukne,' May 28.

The Postmaster-general (Mr Duffy) has decided that it is undesirable to establish a penny post for Victoria.- It is stated that New Zealand favours an intercolonial penny postage, though the statement lacks official confirmation.

The Admiralty upholds Rear-admiral Lord Charles Scott's contention that, under the title of "His Excellency," he takes precedence of the Governors of the Australian colonies, except the Governor of the colony in which he happens to be.

May 28.

The nautical inquiry into the circumstances connected with the loss of the ship Craigburn has concluded. The court found that the wreck was due to the default of the captain, he and the mate having been incapable through liquor. The pilot was exonerated from blame.

June 1.

Two consumptive patients are reported to have been cured at Warrnambool by 28 injections of tuberculine.

Sydney, May 28.

In the House last night Sir Henry Paikea said he proposed to proceed with the bill for the abolition of plural voting before dealing with the federation question. On hearing this statement the Opposition accused Sir Henry of attempting to shelve the federation proposals and several members of the Opposition who supported him on the latter question declared that they were disgusted with him because of his action. The feeling in political circles is that the fate of the Ministry is sealed.

There has been an output of exceedingly rich ore at the Broken Hill Consols mipe, exceeding anything ever known in the past. Between last Saturday afternoon and Monday morning one ton of solid native silver was

unearthed. This is believed to be the richest field ever known.

A man named Austin was murdered by a madman named Kemp near Walgett. Kemp was afterwards shot dead by Murray, an adjoining settler.

May 29.

The want of confidence debate was somewhat dramatically brought to a close at midnight. On the division being taken the ayes were 63 and the noes 63. Speaker Abbott gave his casting vote in favour of the Government, and declared Mr Dibbs' vote of censure lost; The House then adjourned until Tuesday.' ~

The intentions of the Government with respect to the recent vote on the want of confidence motion are not disclosed, and will not likely be known before Parliament-meet^

The patient suffering from measles on board the Tebapo was a "child. The attach: is only slight one, and the child has been quarantined and the rest of the passengers released.

May 30. Up to the present all efforts which have been made to capture the two blacks who murdered the Polish settler near Albury have failed.

June 1.

The Union Company took over the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company's steamerb this morning.

June 2

The first intimation of the course the Government intends to pursue in the present crisis was conveyed in a Gazette posted up in the Parliamentary Buildings, announcing the prorogation of both Houses until the 16th inst. The Government are very reticent as to the next step, but it is understood that a Gazette will be issued on Saturday dissolving Parliament.

Hansen, sentenced to death for the murder of a man named Dunk, at Peak Hill, was hanged to-day.

Adelaide, May 28. The Executive have decided that the head of the Government shall in future be known as Prime Minister. This is the result of a decision arrived at at the conference of the Premiers of respective colonies held in Sydney during the sitting of the Federal Convention.

Brisbane, May 28. It is stated that the Bank of England, being fully possessed of the facts, have expressed their willingness to assist the colony to promptly meet its engagements, and therefore no difficulty will be experienced in meeting the payments due on July 1. Hobabt, May 27. An exploring party which visited the Limestone Caves, at Ida Bay, reports the existence of a cliff 100 ft high composed of beautiful black and dove-coloured marble. Thubsday Island, May 27. Eastern news to hand by steamer states that a constitutional difficulty has arisen between the Governor of Hongkong and the unofficial members of the Legislative Council. The latter opposed the proposed increases of salaries, and the Governor declining to cable to Lord Knutsford on the question, the Opposition sent a communi6ation, andthe Governor is much, enraged at their action.