INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2055, 13 July 1893, Page 36

INTERCOLONIAL.

royal commission to inquire into the condition of agriculture. M. Peytral, -French Minister of Finance, has withdrawn his resignation. The appeal of the creditors against the reconstruction scheme of the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank will be heard on Wednesday. Odgers, cashier of the Land Mortgage and Finance Company, Melbourne, has been arrested on a charge oE embezzlement. His defalcations exceed L2OOO. The Italian press in general refer in favourable terms to tbe Bank Bill, but at the same time express many misgivings as to its passing into law. Some French newspapers suggest that concessions should be made in Siam to England, in order that Francs may be enabled to wholly annex Madagascar. The Sultan has made a pres3nt to two of the Armenian professors who were recently pardoned in connection with the late troubles in Angora in Armenia. The creditors of tbe City of Melbourne Bank have unanimou ly adopted the reconstruction scheme. The meeting also resolved to recommend that a director be appointed in Melbonrne to represent the British depositors. The inquiry into the facts connected with the murder of one of the French escorts conducting a mandarin across a river in Siam shows, so far as it has proceeded, that the official was killed by a Siamese mandarin in fair fight. Lord Brassey is calling attention to the danger of big ironclads in the navy, and urges the construction of more torpedo rams of the type of the Polyphemus, one of the vessels of the Mediterranean squadron. The general position of the French from Tonquin to Saigon (the capital of French Cochin China) is becoming critical owing to Chinese intrigues. The Government have decided to reinforce Saigon. A storm on Lake Michigan caused the destruction of a number of boats and damaged a portion' of the Chicago Exhibition buildinga. Thirty persons were drowned. The storm was of such a violent character that it caused a panic among the visitors to the exhibition. L 125.200 was tendered for the Napier Harbour Baard loan of L 200.000 at 5 per cent., with a minimum of 98. Tenders with about 103 premium will be accepted. The Bank of Australasia, which issued the loan, have taken up a further sum of L 25.000, and tbe balance remains open at the minimum. The public subscribed L 25.000. Mr J. Macandrew has been appointed chairman of the National Bank of Ne,w Zealand. Mr James Coates, of Auckland, who has sucoeeded Mr Djmock as manager, will pay a visit to England to confer with the board. July 11, A meeting is being arranged between Australian members of the House of Commons and Lords Oarrington apd Jersey with a view to induce the Marquis of Ripon to compensate the owners of the barque Costa Rica, seized by the Dutch authorities in Java. Mr Deasy, M.P., accused of assaulting a servant in a boardiDg house, is now on his trial. The girl's evidence varied from her former testimony, as ehe admitted that during the assault the bedroom door was open and Deasy was aware the landlady was coming. Mr Arnold MorUy (Postmaster-general) admits tbat the Pacific route is the best, both for the cable and mails, but regrets that the non-elastic nature of the finances precludes a subsidy being granted to Messrs Huddart, Parker, and Co.'s steamers at present. Mr- Gladstone has declined to receive a deputation on female suffrage. Paeis, July 11. Mr Loze, Prefect of Police, who has been removed in consequence of the late riots, will receive a diplomatic appointment. Berlin, July 5. The Emperor, in his Speech attheopeniDg of the Reichstag, appealed to the people to co-operate with the Government in passing the Army Bill. It was essential, he insisted, to tbe safety of the Fatherland that the army should be kept up to the greatest possible strength, and the bill must be passed immediately with a view to recrniting. They must look to Germany for the security and peace of Europe, and he invoked the assistance of Providence to that end. It is expected that the Rsicbstag will devote most of the session to the bill. July 8. ' The Chancellor (Count yon Caprivi) has reintroduced the Army Bill in the Reichstag, with certain amendments. The measure now submitted reduces the original demand regarding men and money by one-sixth, and provides for only two years' service. In the Reichstag, in introducing the new Army Bill, Count yon Caprivi said it would compel the wealthy to bear the burden of military taxation by the exemption of farmers and increasing the Bourse Tax. It is .expected the Cz ire witch will visit Berlin on his way home from England. «: July The Army Bill has been read a first time in the German Reichstag. Constantinople, July 6. An English vessel from Marseilles has been quarantined here with three cases of cholera on board. Cairo, July 6. It is reported that the object of the Khedive's visit to Constantinople is to arrange a marriage with the Sultan's daughter. Three hundred and fourteen of the silver mines in the State of Colorado have been closed down in consequence of the silver crisis. „. , m Hongkong, July 7. By floods in China 10,000 persons were drowned, Juy 8. China opposes French annexation or protection over Siam. The Don Juan has been burnt off Manila. Most of those on board jumped overboard, and it is estimated fully 145 Chinese were drowned. New York, Jaly 4. The fiaancial crisis continue?, and the suspension of six more American banks Is announced. Washington, July 11. The Chamberlain Investment Compaty of Denver, the largest real estate company in

Western America, has suspended. The lia bilities exceed two and a-quarter million dollars.

(Per Press Association.) Melbourne, July 5. During the debate in the Assembly on the Address-in- Reply, Mr Isaacs, late Solicitorgeneral, warmly attacked the Government, saying that they had imperilled the fair fame of the colony, and twisted and bedraggled justice, by their action in the Davies-Millidge cases. Sir Bryan O'Logblsn gave notice of motion for the reduction of the salaries of the Governor, Min'steis, judges, members of Parliament, and the civil service. The Colonial Bank of Australasia reopens on Monday next. The trial of those alleged to be connected with the Post Office Savings Bank frauds was concluded to-day. Keid was found not guilty and discharged. Healy was sentenced to six years' hard labour, Leonard to five years, and Ogle to four years. The case against Hallenstein was withdrawn. July 6. In the Legislative Assembly last night an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, expressing disapproval of the Government's administration, especially in the Law department, was negatived by 49 to 21. July 7. The tenders for the Metropolitan Board of Works' loan of half a million at 4£ per cent, are disappointing. Only L 72.000 has been applied for. The Melbourne Chamber of Commerce have carried a resolution to the effect that no mere adjustment of the finances or policy of retrenchment will meet the difficulties under which the colony is labouring, but if these steps were joined promptly in large measure to trade freedom it would soon put the colony on the high road to prosperity. July 11. The Government will shortly submit to the House a bill for the imposition of an income tax. It will provide for a minimum of 3d in the pound, and a maximum of 8d being charged on incomes derived from personal exertions, exceptions being made in the case cf incomes under L2OO. A tax of Is in the pound will be imposed on incomes received from investments. Jt is estimated that this tax will yield L 300.000 per annum, thus obviating the necessity for the imposition of a land tax on unimproved values or a small duty on goods now admitted free into the colony. Through a crane breaking, two men named Delia and Pencole were precipitated 100 ft from the top of a new building, and killed. Their bodies were fearfully margled. A t third maD, named Mason, was badly injured, and lies in a critical condition. Sir M. Davies was formally committed for trial tc-day. Sydney, July 6. As a mark of clemency on the occasion of the marriage of the Duke of York, the Executive have approved of the release of the Broken Hill strikers. A summons has been issued against four directors and two auditors and the manager of the Imperial Land, Bailding, and Deposit Company on a charge of conspiracy. The manager (Smaill) is already serving a sentence for embezzlement. Very cold weather has been experienced lately in Sydney, and on Monday night the thermometer registered Bdeg below freezing point. July 7. The Government have issued instructions that two. magistrates should sit on the Bench when cases of larrikinism are being tried in order that flogging may be imposed. Sir G. R. Dibbs, the New South Wales Premier, replying to Mr Bowell, ActingPremier of Canada, states that the middle of September would be a good time for the delegation from Canada to visit Australia. The Governor of New South Wales entertained a large cumber of guests at dinner in celebration of the Royal marriage, and Lady Duff held a reception. The New South Wales Cabinet have decided to retrench still further, and between £200,000 and £300,000 will be deducted from the votes for various departments. The first review cf the forces by the new commandant took place yesterday, when 3742 men paraded. The commandant, addressing the Infantry, complimented them upon their individual work, but commeated severely on the manner in which the men manoeuvred. Replying to a deputation, the New South Wales Premier (Sir G. R. Dibbs) said he was diasatisfied with Lord Rosebery's decision in regard to the claim made by the captain of t! • barquo Costa Rica against the Dutch Government, and had forwarded a stroDgly-worded remonstrance to the Home authorities. July 10. The coroner has committed for trial the members of the larrikin gang arrested for the murder of the man Pert, who was kicked to death. Brisbane, July 5. The Miowera, from Vancouver, arrived last night, bricging 29 saloon and 21 steerage passergere, besides a small cargo, consibting chiefly of fish. The Bjrder Tax Bill, proposing an export duty of 50s per ton on station produce going across the border, was carried to day in the Legislative Assembly by the casting vote of the Speaker. Sir Thomas M'llwraith eaid the Ministry could not conduct business on a casting vote, and moved the adjournment of the House until Tuesday to enable the Government to consider their position. The export of «ugar from Queensland for the year ended 30fch June was 42,000 tons, an increase of 1000 tons on the previous year's production. r * July 6. Sir T. M'llwraith announces that he will interview the Governor with regard to the political situation on Saturday, and will be guided by his aivice. It is believed a compromise will be effected. July 9. Sir Thomas M'llwraitb, Premier of Queenslacd, has had an interview with the Governor with regard to the political situation, but the result has not transpired. July 11. A boy named Bryson, aged 15, liviig near Hay, quarrelled with a man named

Smith, who had chastised him for ill-treating a dog. The boy rushed into the tent, procured a gun, and shot Smith dead. The lad has been arrested for murder. The man Archer, a groom, convicted of murdering Miss Harrison, who lived in the same house as his wife, was executed to-day. He made a short speech declaring he was not guilty. A terrible bungle, which resulted ia ashocking scene, was made by the hangman. The noose slipped under the unfortunate man's chin, and six minutes elapsed before he died. Archer was groaning dreadfully all the while, and altogether it was the most fearfnl scene ever witnessed in Darlinghurst Gaol. The medical inspection afterwards showed that neither the neck nor the windpipe were broken, and that the convict was really slowly strangled to death. The Premier (Sir T. M'llwraith) informed the Governor he found it impossibla to continue in office. The Governor replied tbat the position would be very grave if he resigned or went to the country, and requested him to reconsider bis determination. The Cabinet eventually agreed to meet the Governor's w'shes and retain office. The* schooner Postboy, which left Dunedin on June 8 for Adelaide, has put into Sydney short of provisions. She encountered heavy weather when crossing the Tasman Sea. ADELAIDE, July 8. Mr John M'Kinlay, husband of Madame Antoinette Sterling, died here yesterday. Perth, July 6. Parliament was opened yesterday. The Governor's Speech announced that the public works were proceeding satisfactorily and the railways were making good progress, while the finances of the colony were in a sound condition. Al/BANY, July 10. Sir Matthew Davies, who. has arrived at hera is far from well. He says that he never had any intention of going beyond Colombo, and is quite prepared to meet tbe charge on which he stands committed for trial. He contends that if the Mercantile Bank directors are prosecuted there should be a prosecution of the directors of all the suspended banks.