INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1952, 23 July 1891, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Per Press association.) Melbourne, July 15. The steamer Buncoora is firmly embedded in the sand, and there is little hope that the tugs sent to her assistance will succeed in towing her off. The soundings indicate that the vessel's bottom is stove in, but there is no immediate prospect of her breaking up unless a southerly gale should set in. July 16. With reference to the cablegram as to the Victorian deficiency, Treasurer Munro states that there will be no discrepancy between the ordinary revenue and the expenditure ; but, if the expenditure is to be recouped by the sale of certain land, and the loss on railways is taken into consideration, then there will be a large deficiency. July 17. Mr Hayfcer, the Government Statist, has issued a return giving the population of Australia, as shown by the census, as follows :— Victoria, 1,140,405; New South Wales, 1,134,207; Queensland, 393,938; South Australia, 320,006 ; Western Australia, 49,835. Total for the five colonies, 3,038,391. The population of Tasmania he gives at 146,667, and New Zealand as 626,830. The total population of Australasia is thus 3,811,888. A considerable increase is expected in the New South Wales figures when the final returns are made up ; but it is not expected that they will equal those of Victoria. Both Houses of Parliament passed the federation resolutions amid cheers. The resolutions have been committed pro forma. July 20. An important gold discovery has been made in the vicinity of Steighlitz. A lode containing 6in of gold-bearing stone has been found. - Colston has been sentenced to death for murdering Mr and Mrs Davis at Narbethong. A boy named Matthews, aged 12, • shot himself "dead with a revolver because his mother scolded him. July 21. The Marine Board have decided to pro ceed against ,the captain of the Bancoora, which went ashore near Cape Otway, for misconduct in navigating his vessel. Sydney, July 15. The Governor, in his speech at the formal opening of Parliament to-day, said that in response to the opinion largely expressed during the recent general elections, the first business of the session would be to remodel the electoral law, and give equal voting to every man and self - registration. The question of federation would be brought forward without delay, and also a comprehensive measure of Self-Govern-ment Bills were promised to mitigate the effect of labour disputes, to amend the mining laws, to regulate workshops and factories, especially with reference to the employment of women and children, and to extend to the people the right to determine the number of hotel licenses which should be granted. H.M.S. R-^pid, from New Hebrides and Noumea, via Norfolk Island. Bishop Selwyn was a passenger by her for the latter place. The bishop, though improved in health, is still unable to walk, and leaves for England shortly. The result of the recent trial of brakes is that the commissioners have decided to fit goods trains with the Westinghouse brake at a cost of LIOO.OOO. Passenger trains are already supplied. / July 19. Some excitement has been caused in town to-day by the report that Pybus, a wellknown sharebroker, had levanted. It is believed that he has got clear with nearly £30,000. For some considerable time past there have been many complaints of a considerable increase in the gambling alleged to be carried on in the Chinese quarter of the town. The police have been fully aware of the fact, but owing to the cleverness of those managing the dens, have been unable to check the evil. Last night, however, the detectives planned a raid on the chief establishment, and despite the fact that it was strongly fortified, managed to gain entrance, and arrested most of the principal occupants. The arrests were not made without considerable resistance, and no little excitement was occasioned in town as out of 42 prisoners the majority are young Europeans, many of them well known. July 21. The keepers of the Chinese gambling den which was raided on Saturday night were fined £200, and those who were engaged gambling each £20.

A man named Jno. D. Mackay posted three newspapers at Napier on which he put stamps which had already been used. He added to that folly another and signed his name on the newspapers, which enabled him to be prosecuted. He pleaded guilty to-day, and was fined 15s and 42s costs. VAIUABMI DnOOTHBY *O» CHI HAM.— If T<M« hair ia turning grey or wljlto. or falling on. n*« " $BB MmCAJf HaIB BZKIWKB," for it wUI pot* iivite ruUre in totry can Grey or WhiU Hair to it« ortfliial arioor without leaving the disagreeable mm&Tq* mo* "rertorer*." It maJio* the faai* rhnrwlMr b«ot!ful, m well v promoting tho irowtttfWlKir «n twld •poU. when the ffiwidi «• no* 45WT $»* ***- ohoptrt ««• J Tbm j&jHtsQA* Ha& Bsrawaß." Sold by oherdit* nod Www wh. te*M*«M _

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