INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2010, 1 September 1892, Page 34

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Per Pbess Association.) Melbourne, August 25. A bill imposing an excise duty of 2d per gallon on malt beer and 3d per gallon on sugar beer has been read a second time in the Legislative Assembly. The Victorian Postmaster-general, m reply to the Postmaster»general of Now South Wales,

statcß that no increase or decrease in cable rates is possible without mutual consent, nor can there be other than one rate charged ; therefore, until the approval of all concerned has been obtained, the rates will remain unaltered for the present. August 26. Mrs O'BrieH, who was arrested on a charge of murdering a farmer named Cornwall, at Warracknabeal, by administering poison, has been found guilty and sentenced to death. Pratt, suspected of being her accomplice, was acquitted on the capital charge, but convicted of being accessory after the fact. August 29. A hawker named Gordon was bailed up at Dromana, 47 miles south of Melbourne, by two armed men, who tied him to a tree. The bushrangers then freed the horses from the van, and decamped with the cash-box and a quantity of clothing. . ' - 1 - •' The barque Newfleld, 0*1275 tons', botfnd from Sharpness to ' Brisbane with' a 'cargo of salt, ran ashore during rough weather on Sunday near Cardies River on the Victorian coast. In a few minutes after she struck, s£ft of water was reported in the hold. The captain (G. Scott) and 25 men then prepared to land, but one boat was dashed to pieces alongside the wreck, while the other was swamped. The captain and eight men were drowned. Nine reached the shore safely, and the remaining eight are still clinging to the rigging of the ill-fated vessel. Every effort is being made to rescue those on board. August 30. The eight men left on the Newfield were got ashore safely. Those drowned include Captain Scott, the boatswain, steward, sailmaker, and five of the seamen. Several of the bodies have been recovered. The wreck occurred through the captain mistaking Nelson light for King Island. Several acts of bravery are recorded in the work of rescue. It is understood that the cargo is insured in a New Zealand office. News from the Islands states thatr a British protectorate has been proclaimed over the whole of fthe Ellice group, and that the protectorate will be established by Captain Gibson, of H.M.S. Curacjoa, who was to leave Suva on August 17 fqr the group. Sydney, August 25. Signora Cuttica, the Italian prima donna, is a by the Tekapo. August 26. Seven directors and officials of the Australian Banking Company were committed for trial at the Criminal Court to-day. Bail was allowed. AH protested their innocence. Adelaide, August 25. In making his Financial Statement to-night, the Colonial Treasurer said the outlook was not too bright, though bettor than in the other Australian colonies. It had been an unfavourable season for agriculture and the results were not satisfactory. The yield of wheat had only averaged 4 bushels 91b to the acre— almost the lowest on record. The shrinkage in silver stocks held in Adelaide alone amounted to L 5,300,000., 300, 000. The revenue for the year had fallen L 54.000 short of the estimate, but the expenditure had been LIOO,OOO less than the estimate. The year closed with a surplus of L 87,000. The railways had returned 4 3 per cent, over working expenses. The Government would not revise the tariff this year, but would support the temporary imposition of a wheat and stock tax. The estimated surplus at the end of next year would be L 39.000. Brisbane, August 29. M. Leon Perret, a Russian, has been detained and his effects seized under the Safety Defences Act on suspicion of his being a spy. He was observed taking photographs of the fortifications in Townsville. The Government are awaiting a report on the subject and the result of the examination of his effects. In the meantime M. Perret has appealed to Sir Samuel Griffith, the Premier, claiming to be a mining expert, and • that he is preparing a report to the Russian Government on the mining industry in Australia. s August 30. M. Perret, in custody on suspicion of being a Russian spy, will be brought before the Police Court to-morrow. In the meantime the authorities are developing his photo, plates.