INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 36

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Per Pbess Association.) Melbourne, July 19. The captain of the Mary Wadley, which arrived from the Thames to-day, reports having encountered very stormy weather crossing the Tasman Sea. Shortly after sailing she was thrown on her beam ends, and the deck cargo had to be jettisoned to save the vessel. Mr G. D. Carter, Colonial Treasurer, in his Budget attributes the depression to the lowness of the staple products. The revenue for tbe past 3 ear was L6.9G3.000, of which L 738.000 had been raised by means of Treasury bills, and the expenditure had been L 1.083,000 (? more than the revenue). The revenue for the ensuing year was estimated at L 7.353.000, and the estimated expenditure at L 7,623,000. Retrenchment is to be carried on with a firm hand. Fresh taxation was rendered necessary, and an income tax similar to that in operation in New Zealand would be imposed, also 3 per cent, primage duty on goods under 25 per cent, ad valorem. In concluding the Colonial Treasurer stated that he is convinced the colony will soon rebound into its former condition. July 21. The Government contemplate asking the authority of Parliament to issue Treasury bills locally to meet the deficit. Inquiries made in connection with tbe New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company show that the power of the official receiver appointed in London does not extend to the coloDie3. The company's new business is being conducted by the New Zealand Land Association, and the old business and contracts are to be transacted as heretofore by the company's officers. Mr J. Munro, ex-Agent-general, has bean granted an unconditional discharge of bankruptcy. July 22. Owing to the depreciation in values, Mr Jameß Munro's estate is not expected to pay more than Is in the pound. ' There is strong opposition, in business

circles to the new taxation proposed by the Government. July 24. An earthquake occurred in the Castlemaine district yesterday. Houses were rocked violently, and in some cases windows were smashed. Sydney, July 19. Tbe schooner Guiding Star collided off Red Head, near Newcastle, with the steamer Elangamite. The Echooner was cut in two. Her cook, named Matheson, was drowned, but the other members of the. crew were taken on board the steamer. The New South Wales Attorney-general (Mr Barton) has departed for Canada for the I benefit of his health. In order to deal with matters in his department the office of Solicitor-general (which has been in abeyance since 1873) has been revived, and the Hotf. R. E. O'Connor, Minister for Justice, has been appointed to the position, * July 20. It has now been ascertained that the unexploded cartridge found amorg the coal on board the Bteamer Burrumbeet at Newcastle did not contain dynamite, as was at first alleged. There has been a singular increase of lunacy in the M'Leay distriot during the past few months, from no apparent cxuse. The steam collier Hilda struck a reef off Port Hacking. The vessel was coal-laden, and going at full speed at the time. She sank in two minutes. The crew were saved. The Press Association correspondent in the New Hebrides writes that though there is distress among the people, it is not so great as was anticipated, still it is real enough. The yam crop was never larger, and that in Arabryn was generally saved, though the mission crop near the sea perished. Despite the hardships, the people are in fairly good health. The residents desired to publicly express their thanks, and also the whole mission party, for the sympathy and liberality displayed by New Zealand. By rigid economy the New South Wales Government hope to effect savings which will equal the shortage in the revenue for the year. The Messageries Maritimes Company have decided to extend their island steam service bo as to include the New Hebrides. , July 22. The German barque Argo, lying in Neutral Bay, was blown up this morning. The vessel was laden with coal. The chief mate was killed, and two others who were on board injured. After the explosion the Argo took fire, and is still burning. • A great sensation was caused to-day by the explosion on board the German barque Argo, of 985 tons, which recently arrived from Hamburg. The Argo had discharged her inward cargo, and, having taken in some 1450 tons of coal, was on the point of sailing for Valparaiso. The captain was ashore concluding final arrangements, and the crew were getting everything in ' readiness to decart, when a terrific explosion occurred. The report was heard a considerable distance, and there was great speculation as to what had really happened. The explosion originated low down among the coals in the forehatch, and extended right aft. The cabin in the poop was blown clean up, and the whole deck hoisted bodily, and there 'is a gap of 20ft in the deck. The port boat was blown half-way up the mainmast, where it caught, and the starboard boat was thrown into the water. The vessel appears to have been damaged below the water line, as she is making water. As the explosion occurred a dense volume of smoke and flame arose with a report like the explosion of a powder magazine. The chief officer, Mr Arfsten, was thrown with terrific force bgainst some object and killed outright. A passenger named Chamberlain was thrown overboard, but caught the wreckage of the starboard boat, and floated until rescued. Mr Kloplarch, tbe second, and Pfeifer, a sailor, have been taken to the hospital, together with Chamberlain, who lies in a critical condition. The men who* were aloft unfurling sails were shaken off the yards. Many of them jumped overboard and were rescued. The fire department were quickly on the scene, but their extinguishing apparatus waß not required. A detachment from the British gunboat Lizard did splendid work on board the wrecked vessel. The cause was undoubtedly due to a large collection of ga3, which found vent and was ignited near the galley. The vessel is insured in Hamburg, but the amount is unknown. The cargo is not insured. July 24. Speaking at Penrith, the Premier (Sir G R, Dibbs) said that the Government would endeavour to abolish payment of members in the new Parliament. They would make it one of the next cries. They also proposed to introduce a bill next session to earmark the revenue in order to provide interest on the national debt, and would set aside a quarter of a million to establish a sinking fund with which to wipa out the public debt. They expected to go to the country in March next. The cook of the Argo was blown 20ft away, and badly hurt. There were two explosions. The flames and smoke shot up 100 ft into the air. It was extraordinary that the crew escaped so well. Experts' declare that the vessel is practically a wreck and will never leave Sidney. She is insured in Hamburg for LSGOO. At the inquest on Arfsten, who was killed by the explosion, the jury returned a verdict upon the evidence that death was due to an explosion of gas generated in a cargo of coal. An important point was decided in the Full Court to-day by five judges to two, the effect of which is to hold that silence on the part of a prisoner could be commented on and used as evidence against him. The Newcastle Marine Board has called on Captain Thorpe, of the steamer Elingamite, and Mr Lewis, second officer, to show cause why the collision with the schooner Guiding Star, which was cut in two, should not be attributed to their want of vigilance. Tbe Wakatipu arrived this evening. The recruits for the New Zealand football team had a good passage, and will take part in the Bathurst match en Wednesday. The team returned from Brisbane to-day, and the men all appear-in good condition. July 25. The Government analyst stated at the 1 inquest yesterday that tbe coal from the mine which loaded the barque Argo was of a

July 25.

fiery character and contained fire-damp. It would, he say's, probably be more likely to explode than any other coal. The Marine Board have found that the steamer Hilda} which struck on a reef off Port Hacking, was lost through ' [Unfinished through the wires teiDg'clbwn at 12.30 p.m.] . ,-.-■- Brisbane, July 20. The Queensland Legislative Assembly has adopted an address requesting increased representation for their colony on the Federal Council. In reply to a question, the Chief Secretary said he had no intention at present of asking parliamentary sanction - for a subsidy to the Canadian steam line. He stated that after consideration it had been „ decided to wait until the financial, burden was lightened. Besides if the service was to be of advantage to Queensland the steamers' should call at Keppel Bay as well as Brisbane. , July 21. A man named Partridg?, a miner at Ccoydon, has fallen heir to the sum of £100,000 through the death of relatives in England. The Queensland retrenchment , scheme virtually abolishes the Immigration deparment, and' the votes for local authorities have been reduced from LIOO,OOO to L 63.000. July 22. A proposal to phange the constitution oE the Upper House is under consideration, and it is believed that the Government are in j favour of an elective rather than a nominee House. ADELAIDE, July 20. A quarter of a million's worth of Treasury bills are to be issued on August 1 by the South Australian Government. They will have seven years' currency, and bear interest at the rate 4£ per cent. ." '< Port Darwin, July 22. The whole of tbe Chinese quarter in this town was destroyed by fire. The Chinese are severe sufferers. Perth, July 24. The revenue of Western Australia for the year ended June 30 shows an advance of L 75.000. The credit balance of the colony stands at L 63,000. Hobart, July 19. The Tasmanian Parliament opened yesterday. The Governor's Speech was colourless, and announced that a bill would be introduced into the Legislative Assembly increasing the duty on -tea to 6d per lb, and on sugar to 9a per cwt. In the Council Mr Adye Douglas stated that the deficiency was very large, and would have tojje met by income, probate, and land taxes. 'The Hon. J. O. Fysh declared that i£ the revenue continues as at present there will be a deficiency of L 400.000 at tbe end of the year. July 21. The greatest flood since 1852 is reported along the Launceston line. The people in the lower part of Longford have been compelled to leave their residences, The loss of stock is very heavy. July 22. The low- lying parts of Launceston are submerged. Inveresk is inundated, and the people are leaving their residences. Three hundred people from tbe latter suburb have taken refuge ip the Albert Hall. The floods are now receding.