INTERCOLONIAL. (Per press Association.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1956, 20 August 1891, Page 31

INTERCOLONIAL. (Per press Association.)

Melbourne, August 12. The prospectus is issued for a mutual store. It contemplates supplying New Zealand fish to this market. In the Victorian House of Assembly a bill legalising the totalisator was introduced and read a first time,

August 14.

The ship Loch Tay, from Glasgow, has arrived. During the voyage she had nine cases of smallpox, of which seven are now convalescent. The vessel has been placed in quarantine.

August 15. General Sir F. Eoberts contemplates visiting Australia at the end of next year, as he is desirous of acquainting himself with the strength and efficiency of the colonial military forces and defences.

August 17. The British Bank's head office has also suspended payment. The failure was brought about by depreciation of real estate. Eighty thousand pounds is due to British depositors. The position of the bank on 31st March last was as follows:— Assets, £1,634,000; liabilities, £407,000. The company have some capital which has not been called up, and the unpaid calls amount to £362,000. Another case of smallpox has broken out on the ship Locb'Tay. It has transpired that on the last trip of the Manapouri to Melbourne she touched the ground slightly during a dense fog near Oape Schanck. Captain, Logan reported the matter to the Marine Board, and at a meeting of the latter a motion was carried cautioning the captain to be more careful in future. An amendment that a charge of misconduct be preferred against him was negatived by the casting vote of the chairman. It appears that the lead was never used. The vessel was placed in dock, but an examination proved she had sustained no damage. The Commissioner of Customs is not. satisfied with the board's decision, and is considering the propriety of 'ordering another investigation, the authorities thinking that the captain's conduot is Reserving of more severe treatment than a caution.

Sydney, August 12,

Sir H. Parkes denies that there is any truth in the statement that New South Wales will offer a loan privately, and states that the only foundation for, the cables from London lies in the fact that some considerable time since the Government lodged securities with the Bank of England for sale to anyone who wished to invest money. New Zealand potatoes are quoted at £1 15s to £2.

Two vessels, the' Brandon and Venus, are overdue from Capetown. Taken in connection with the derelict sighted by the Emma L. Shaw, it is feared one of these vessels has certainly beeS lost.

August 13. ' The agricultural returns, collected along with the census show an average decrease in the yield of wheat of five bushels per acre for the year ending March 30. The colony produces three bushels per head of population and consumes six and a-half. Other cereals are about up to the average, maize alone showing a slight increase.

August 14.

An estimate shows that when the sixpenny postal rate to England was in force the loss on the federal mail service was £563, whereas this year, under the 2|d rate, it is expected that the loss will be £12,725.

August 15.

The Sydney Morning Herald, in discussing the New Zealand Taxation Bill, characterises it as "the most extreme and sweeping legislation ever seriously proposed in these colonies," and further says that it is a daring venture that the other colonies will be content to wait and learn the result of.

The 20-mile walking match for a sweepstakes of £20 each, between Goreman (of Queensland), Bowen (of New Zealand), and W. Harris (of Victoria), resulted in a win for Bowen, who is well known in Otago and Canterbury as a long-distance walker, and who covered the distance in 4 hours 18| minutes

August 18.

Chief Commissioner Eddy has left on a visit to England for the sake of his health, and returns in about six months.

Stansbury and Kemp intimate that they are willing row Hanlan and O'Connor in a double sculling race for £1000 a Bide, and will also row each of them a single sculling race for £500 a side. They will allow £300 expenses if rowed on the Parramatta river.

Adelaide, August 14.

Daring the past few days hot winds have been blowing in the southern districts, and the ground is parched; and unless rain falls soon the crops will be a failure.

August 17. A large cattle train was completely wrecked near Beltana through the breaking of an axle. All the officials on board escaped without injury, but over 100 cattle were killed. BeisbANß, August 12. An important discovery of silver has been made in the Cooktown district.

HOBABT, August 12.

The Treasurer's motion to advance £200,000 to the Bank of Van Diemen's Land, provided the shareholders subscribe £60,000, which they have done, has been postponed pending negotiations. A bill has been introduced to allow seven of the largest shareholders to dispose of the goodwill and assets of the bank.

August 15.

The British Bank, a small financial institution, has closed here and at Launceston, The reason assigned is want of capital — £100,000, which represents the entire deposits.

August 17.

Cooley, the murderer of Mrs Ogilvie, was hanged to-day. He made a full confession of his guilt.

Thuesday Island, August 17.

The majority of the new Australian cruisers started for Brisbane to-day. The remainder will accompany the Orlando, which sails on Wednesday. They rendezvous at Brisbane, thence proceed to Newcastle and Sydney. After coaling and taking in provision, the fleet sail for Melbourne, on the 19th September, leaving again for Adelaide on October 2. From Adelaide one cruiser will be sent to Launceston and another to Fremantle, the squadron assembling at Hobart about October 18. From Hobart two of the vessels will be detached, and sent to New Zealand.