INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 17 August 1893, Page 36

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Per Press" Association.)

Melbourne, August 9.

Daring the debate on the Budget a motion to report progress, which was regarded as tantamount to disapproval of further taxation, was carried by 44 to 33. The Premier intimated that he would require a straightout vote on the income tax at the next sitting.

Speaking at the Mayoral luncheon, the Minister for Defence said the Victorian Government were taking steps to bring about reciprocity between the colonies. The Treasurer stated that even with vigorous retrenchment the Government would require to find new sources of revonue. August 11. The Legislative Assembly passed the income tax by 44 to 38. The Premier, Mr PattersoD, intimated that ho would abolish the primage duty on ad valorem, and fix a duty on goods. Smidt, a farm labourer, in consequence of a lorg-sfcanding feud, deliberately shot a fellow servant named ITrolick dead, and then attempted suicide. He is unlikely to recover. The Hon. W. Pearson, the Victorian M.L C. and well-known biceder of thoroughbreds, died on Thursday. The statement has been made ilia 1 ; if the' income tax i 3 imocsed wool companies having their headquarters in Melbonrne, and representing 17£ millions sterling, will remove to Sydney ; also that the banks will adopt a similar course. August 12. The Australian Natives' Association have passed a resolution that in i« the imperative duty of the Crown to bring Sir M. Davies and Mr Millidge to trial, in order to assure the public that the administration of jasticeis not affected by the position or Ihe influence of the alleged offenders. Sinidt, the farm labourer, after shooting Frolick, a fellow servant, bombarded his employer's house, and repeatedly discharged shots at the various rooms. One of the girls was slightly injured. August 14. It is understood fresh proceedings will be instituted privately against Sir Matthew Davies and F. Miliidge. It is probable that several others will be included in the proceedings. August 15. The report of the Sweating Commission 6tates that the evil is growing, but has attainei nothing like the proportions existing ia England. The commission recommend legislation in regard to the hours of labour, and the reduction of the duty on articles which cannot be produced here and are used as raw material by manufacturers. A quarrel took place during a football

match between two of the players. The combatants continued the fight after the conclusion ot the match, and one of them, named Hennessy, was killed. Sir H. Wrixon has given notice in the Victorian Assembly to move for the appointment of a Royal Commission to ie quire into the fiscal question. Sydney, August 10. Letters from Tonga state that measles has appeared there, but it is only of a mild type. The jury returned a verdict of mactlaughter in the case against Eeed and Rich, both of whom were nearly concerned in the death of the man Pert, who was kicked to death at ■Miller's Point. They added a recommendation to mercy. Tbe judge said he was unable to understand how the recommendation could be made. The crime was of a brutal description, and the evidence seemed to warrant a verdict of murder. He sentenced Reed to 10 years' and Rich to five years' penal servitude. The mild nature of the verdict has caused some sensation, and it is openly stated that a number of jarors were afraid their lives would be in jeopardy from larrikin "pushes" if a different verdict was recorded.

August 11.

A relative of the condemned man Makin had a painful interview with the Premier to-day, at which he petitioned for a reprieve. A special meeting of the Executive is to be held to-morrow to consider the petition. „ Another case of smallpox has occurred on board the steamer Chingtu.

Tbe Collector of Customs reports that all Chinese arriving in Sydney are satisfactorily accounted for. Ho believes many leak in through beiog transferred from China steamers to intercolonial vessels.

August 14.

Sir H. Parkes intends to visit Adelaide, Melbourne, and various parts of this colony, for the purpose of delivering addresses to for ward tho cause of federation.

Mr Coghlan, the Gjvernment statist, estimates the British deposits in the Australasian bmks at not less than £40,000,000. His calculation based on the December quarter of last year gives the total liabilities of the colonial banks at £117.994,000, and the assets at £169,764.000.

The Executive bave finally decided that the sentence of death passed on Makin, convicted of murdering a number of infants, is to be carried out.

August 15.

The charge against the other men in connec ion with the death of Pert at Miller's Point, Sydney, will not be proceeded with.

Makin was executed to-day, his death being instantaneous. It is understood he bas left a statement declaring that the child for whose murder he was convicted was not correctly identified.

In compliance with a request from the Premier of New Zsaland, the Government have despatched a steamer to Norfolk Island to bring on tho shipwrecked crew of the Girvan.

ADELAIDE, August 11. . Communications are passing between the Governments of tbe various colonies with regard to the illegal influx of Chinese, over 700 having leaked into Australia in one year. Tbe South Australian Premier, Mr Kingston, attributes the increase to New South Wales, and believes it is to a large extent caused by the system of discharging ChioeEe crews which prevails ab Port Jackson. Hobakt, August 10.

The announcement that the Government iDtend to abolish the Agent-general's office in London and recall Sir E. C. N. Braddon has caused considerable surprise. The general opinion is tbat a mistake is being made.

Thursday Island, August 10.

The ship Frangois Aroga, with the cable to be laid between Queensland and New Caledonia, passed here yesterday, en route for Brisbane.

August 15

The steamer Corea is a total wreck between Thursday Island and Cooktown. The crew were saved.