INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1970, 26 November 1891, Page 34

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, November 19

The Salvation Army's self-denial week realised £10,000. New Zealand's contribution was £1500.

Questions have been asked in both branches of the Legislature whether the sentiments expressed by Lord Oarrington in his Bristol speech on Lord Knutsford's administration of the Colonial Office ever existed in Victoria. Sir F. T. Sargood strongly defended Lord Knutsford, and declared that Lord Carrington's strictures were both unfortunate and unwarranted. Several other members of the Council defended the Colonial Office, and went so far as to say that the cablegram was trumped up for party purposes.

In the Legislative Assembly, Premier Munro regretted Lord Carrington's attack, and Mr Gillies defended Lord Knutsford. After a brief discussion the matter was dropped in both Chambers.

At the Australasian Charity Conference Mrs R. E. N. Twopeny read a paper on "Industrial Schools, and the Boarding-out System in Vogue in New Zealand."

November 20.

. Lieutenant Kirk, of Williamstown, is the winner of the Qaeen's prize with a soore of 276.

The Charities' Conference has resolved to request charitable people in the several colonies to consider the expediency of establishing workmen's colleges on the German plan, to which able-bodied mendicants and unemployed can be referred. The Victorian Government has promised the Melbourne charitable authorities a piece of land for the purpose.

November 22.

The Austral wheel race of 200sovs, two miles, was won by Turner with Lewis second, and Ketto third.', Turner won easily in fimin 43sec. The track was soft. Forty-six started, including Fisher, of New Zealand.

November 23.

At the annual meeting of the Kauri Timber Company the chairman sweepingly condemned the extravagance and laxity of the administration and the want of cohesion of the New Zealand management, which would be ruinous if allowed to continue. Consequently he had directed the closing of the mills, although such a step was not absolutely necessary. Regarding the .financial position of the company, though there had been a loss of £44,000 on the year's transactions, they had, after deducting all debts, assets amounting to £946,000, equal to £1 13s 3d for every pound invested, and about £1 3s lOd for every pound of paid-up capital. The report was adopted. Melbourne, November 24.

The Argus special at Shanghai interviewed General Li Hung Ohang, Prime Minister of China, yesterday. He said he admired the English for their blunt, honest characteristics, and looked upon them as the natural allies of China against Kassia. He ascribed the recent riots to the influence of French Jesuits and a number of the discharged soldiery. The latter said they wanted war in order to fill their pockets, but they would not get it. Concerning the attitude of the Chinese Government towards the rioters, he spoke very confidently. The Ministry was a despotic one, and had ordered the viceroys in the various provinces to enforce peace and to show favour to capable foreigners settled in their territories. The General continued in the following words : — " You may say that China is friendly, and that order will be maintained. I have telegraphed similar assurances to Lord Salisbury, asking him to tell the English that the rumoured rebellion against the Imperial authorities is fudge, and that a Russian, invasion is not possible." An official telegram received by the Chinese Government ascribes the recent raid at Mongolia to robbers, who massacred 100 Christians, burning the Belgian mission stations at Sakoa and Simchi. Troops have been despatched to the locality to punish the perpetrators.

Sydney, November 19

The latest Samoan news received here states that the only effect of declaring Mataafa a rebel has been to give his party a fresh impetus. Mataafa has hoisted a flag at Malie — a flag which he declared to be the flag of his party. Influenza is very severe in the island, and there is much mortality among the natives. A cable message has been received' from Japan soliciting assistance for the sufferers by the recent earthquake. Intelligence is to hand from the Gilbert Group of very severe weather, accompanied by tidal waves. In one island 80 natives were drowned, and many habitations demolished. No details have yet been received.

November 20.

During a violent thunderstorm to-day a building in course of erection at Homebush was struck by lightning. A workman named Walton was killed instantly and five others badly injured. Rain-making experiments will be tried at Broken Hill shortly. A tornado almost demolished the township of Bound Hill in the Barrier ranges. The cutter Freak, belonging to the same owners as the Emma Fisher, was also seized by H.M.S. Royalist, for a breach of trading regulations in the Solomon group. The conference between tailors and masters has come to an end in consequence of the former refusing to concede freedom ot contract.

November 21.

With reference to a cablegram concerning the arrest of Messrs Bloom and Douglas at Honolulu, it is believed they are identical with Messrs Bell and Davis, the levanting directors of the Australian Mercantile Loan and Guarantee Bank, which failed recently. The yacht Beagle, which they have with them was formerly a gunboat. She had been lying in Melbourne harbour for many years and about the time of the flight of the defaulting directors was purchased ostensibly for trading purposes.

• , November 24 "the court-martial in connection with the accident to H.M.S. Boomerang found that Mr Gowder, chief engine room artificer, was to blame, and he was reduced to the rank of engine room artificer and his long-service medals forfeited.

Hobabt, November 21.

The steamer Talune, on her voyage from Melbourne, struck what is supposed to be a sunken rock in the vicinity of Swan Island. JShe was going at full speed at the time, and the shock threw the passengers off their feet. The engines were stopped, but worked erratically, and when again started it was apparent that there had been some injury to the propeller. The vessel herself has sustained no Berious damage, and she has resumed her voyage to New Zealand. Vessels have from time to time struck a hidden rock near Swan Island, but long search has failed to discover it.