INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1957, 27 August 1891, Page 17

INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.)

Melbourne, August 18.

A clever fraud was effected 3 esterday on the Bank of Australasia. A ladylike-looking woman presented a cheque for £137, which had apparently been passed by the ledgerkeeper, and was accordingly cashed, but later on she attempted to pass another, similarly marked, for £1300. Suspicions were aroused, and she was arrested. She alleges that a man asked her to cash the cheques, and the police are inclined to believe her story. . The Federation Bill id being considered in committee. An amendment was carried limiting the Governor-general's salary to £10,000 per annum. August 20. An amendment to the Federation Bill, enabling the Governor-general to dissolve the Senate in the same way as the Lower House, was carried by 46 to 24. Mr Gillies dissented strongly, « and urged that this amendment would make federation impossible, because it would interfere with the rights of the smaller States. 6 August 21. In committee on the Federation Bill, Sir B. O'Loghlen proposed the exclusion of New Zealand, but this was negatived by 88 to 34. An amendment providing for the abolition of plural voting was carried, but one extending the franchise to women was negatived. August 24. The British-India Company's steamer Bancoora, which went ashore near Cape Otway about six weeks ago, has been floated off and towed into Port Phillip. Some wreckage has been picked up at Back Beach, including a bottle containing a farewell message signed "Harding and Cameron." The missive is undated, and there is no clue to what the wreckage belonged. Colston, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Davis and his wife at Narbethong, was hanged to-day. » Sydney, August 18. News from Noumea reports the total destruction by fire of the barque Nautilus, bound from Sydney. She was lying at anchor in Noumea harbour when the cargo was discovered to be on fire. The crews of the German warships Saone and Thetis endeavoured to arrest the progress of the flames and j worked for 36 hours continuously, but without \ avail. Finally the vessel was scuttled and run on the beach.. Two of the crew of the ! Nautilus and one native were suffocated before they could be rescued, and another seaman was severely burnt. The wreck and ■ cargo were sold for, 19,000fr. The vessel is ] believed to be insured in the South British office for £1400. The cargo, valued at over £2000, principally copra, was uninsured. August 21. Arbor day was celebrated throughout the colony to-day, and an immense number of trees were planted in parks and other places of public resort.. August 25. Island news states that the schooner Vaitele, Captain Bvers, and a crew of six, are believed to have been lost at the Solomon Islands. A force, under command of Captain Davis, of H.M.S. Royalist, landed at St. Christoral, in the Solomon Group, in search of the murderers of Captain Craig, of the schooner Sandfly, who was shot dead by the : natives at Makiara in January last. The detachment succeeded in surprising the vil- , lage where the murderers were hiding, but I the latter escaped, though the principal chief was captured and held as a hostage. The • Royalist also paid a visit to Ugi Island, and punished the murderers of Howard, manager of the Stevens party, of Dunedin, and others in March last. Intelligence xeceived via Thursday Island states that during a typhoon near Hongkong the British gunboat Tweed went ashore, and one of her seamen was drowned. The vessel was subsequently towed off, but immediately sank. ADELAIDE, August 19. The Federation Bill has passed the Assembly., and been committed. I August 20. , In his Budget speech tc-day the Treasurer said he could carry on for 16 months without receiving any further instalment of the last loan, and then have a balance of £180,000. By issuing Treasury bills already provided for he could carry on for two years. The colony was in an exceedingly satisfactory

financial position, and the rest of the loan would probably be floated early next year, j The deficit, which was provided for by Trea- 1 sury Bills, was gradually being paid off, and now only £753,000 was owing. The Estimates for the next year place the revenue at £2,845 4 000, and the expenditure at £2,775,000. The railways, afler paying all expenses, have left a profit of 5| per cent, on the cost of construction. HoBAitT, August 21. The investigation of the affairs of the Bank of Van Diemen's Land has been completed, but the result will not be made officially known until the meeting of shareholders in a few days. It is understood that the inquiry shows reckless management in the Hobart branch, and that of the reported assets it is probable that a quarter of a million must be regarded as doubtful debts. When everything is settled it is probable that the available assets will not exceed £75,000. This will necessitate a call of £1 per share. The Union Bank have also declined to take over the business of the bank.