INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 36

INTERCOLONIAL.

(Per Press Association.)

Melbourne, December 7. Mr Reid has accepted a commission to visit Canada and London. It is understood that he has been authorised to negotiate for a reciprocal treaty with the Dominion. In connection with the Mercantile Bank cases, Sir Matthew Davies has written to the Crown Law department giving notice that he desires to be tried by himself next month. Mr Muntz has made a similar request. The court has ordered that the Hon. James Balfour's offer of LSOOO in settlement of the Freehold Investment and Banking Company's claim against him be submitted to a meeting of the creditors. December 8. The Railway department is saving LIO.OOO per annum by employing women at stations of minor importance, and in consequence of this' it is the intention of the commissioners to still further increase the female staff. j December 9. A young Hindoo went into a shop in Fitzroy, took a kuife from the counter, rushed into the street, and stabbed himself in the body several times, then almost severed his head from his body, and fell dead. Dacember 11. Atßallarat yesterday Dr Deianey was consecrated by Archbishop Carr as coadjutor to the Bishop of Tasmania. December 12. Owing to falling revenue following on the recent bank failures, the reconstruction scheme of the Melbourne Permanent Building Society agreed to in March last is found to be impracticable. A new scheme has now being submitted, under which a dividend will not be paid until the sum of LoO.OOO has been added to the present reserve fund out of profits. It was announced that Mj Johnston, the late manager, had misappropriated something like L 12.000, of which LISOO had been advanced by means of fictitious loans and over L6OOO advanced to persons believed to be his nominees. Sidney, December 7. The weather is extremely hot throughout the country. "Yesterday was the hottest day experienced in Sydney for 12 months, the thermometer registering Oldeg in the shade. The National Shipwreck Relief Society has voted a gold watch to the captain, a silver medal and L 8 to the mate, and silver medal and L 5 to each member of the crew of the George Thompson, in recognition of their services in rescuing the crew of the disabled vessel Girvan some weeks ago. The Bank Bill has passed the Lsgislative Council. Six men were seriously injure! in the Proprietary Mine at Broken Hill through the cage breaking from control and descending the shaft with frightful rapidity. December 8. Haviland, the secretary of the School cf Arts, has been suspended owing to a discovery of irregularities in his accounts. He has since confessel to misappropriating LIBOO, but it is understood that his total deficiency will exceed L2OOO. The custom has been in vogue of employing a pilot from Sydney or Melbourne to take steamers to Newcastle, and thus avoid pilotage dues. When the customs officer boarded the steamer Waikato he found a pilot in charge. Captain Banks disclaimed being in command, and as there was no passenger list he was, on his own statement, set down as a stowaway. The pilot has been summoned to appear before the Marine Board to explain his position to the board. The pilot who had charge of the steamer Waikato appeared before the Newcastle Marine Board to-day to show cause why his certificate should not be dealt with. After hearing his statement the board decided that they were unable to prefer any charge against him. December 11. Haviland, secretary of the School of Arts, has been arrested for embezzlement. His defalcations are expected to excaed L2OOO. At Wilcannia a young man named M'Gratb, who was annoyed with an old man named Fellovves, a street; musician, deliberately shot him dead. M Grath has been arrested on a charge of murder. An intense heat wave has been prevalent over the whole of the colony for the last two days. At one station out west the thermometer registered 116 in the shade. Many giass fifes are reported, especially in tie Riverina district and large areas of fodder have been destroyed. December 12. Mi' Valentine, the New Zealand dairy expert, has arrived here. He will visit various parts of this colony and Victoria before proceeding to New Zealand. Tha Active Strvio Brigade put in an appearance last night at a meeting addressed by the Labour members, with the object of preventing the meeting. During a disturbarca when Mr Kelly was speaking oue member (f the brigade produced a loaded revolver, and intimated that he would do some shooting if he was interfered with Tne man was quickly arrested. Adelaide, Dscember 7. Bad feeling between the Attorney-general and Mr Syinons, Q 0., was shown in the Supreme C*mtto-d&y. The Crown Solicitor, ac'ing under instructions from the Attorneygeneral, objected to Mr Symons appearing with him for the prosecution in a sheepstealing cage, although Mr Symons was acting on behalf of the owner of the sheep. The judge requested the Attorney-general to give the grounds for his objection, but the latter sent word that he did not wish to inteifere in the practice of the court. The judge held that Mr Symons had a perfect right to appear in the case. The Premier intimated in the Legislative Assembly that the Imperial authoiities had informed the Government that the Governor's salary would in future be L4OOO per annum, with LISOO for allowances. The Railway Commissioners report that the revenue bas decreased by L 200,000 as compared with the previous year. The expenditure has decreased by L 13.000 and the net profit wag L:>G7,OOO, or 3.07 upon the total capital. For the first time since 1889 the revenue has not paid interest, and the commiss'oners state that to a large extent the Broken Hill strike is responsible for this result.

The Premier, speaking to Mr Ash's motion, said that decisive steps had been taken to settle the Victorian boundary dispute. He read some, recent correspondence with the.

Victorian Government, and stated that the Government were reluctantly compelled to consent to the motion, because they were unable to obtain a friendly settlement. The motion was amended by Sir J. Downer so that before resorting to litigation the colony should apply to the Imperial Government for legislation on the subject. The motion as amended was carried. The Legislative Council, by 10 to 9, decided that the Taxation Bill be read a second time three months hence. Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly, the Premier said that the Government were considering some compulsory form of military service. The statement was received with loud cries of dissent from the members of the Labour party. December 9. A nugget weighing 86oz has been picked up by three of the unemployed at Wedderburn. Owing to the rejection of the Taxation Bill, tha Government propose to double the income tax and reduce the road vote in order to provide the amount necessary to cover the deficit upon the current year. Tne Cabinet; has also decided to stop all expenditure in connection with the Imperial Institute. December 11. lutense heat was experienced in the city yesterday, 107 being registered iv the shade. Brisbane, December 7. The premises of the Telegraph newspaper narrowly escaped destruction by fire to-day. A considerable portion of the machine room was gutted, but ie is believed the machinery is not injured. A large quantity of piintirg paper was destroyed. December 9. The damage to the machinery of the Brisbane Telegraph is only slight. The Now Zealand Insurance Company have a risk of L4OOO, and the National LSOO. One of the Dora Dora blacks alleged to be connected with the murder of two Japanese has been arrested at Bundabfrg. December 11. A police party consisting of two white men and 10 natives were pursuing native murderers in the vicinity of the Dacie river. The native contingent entered the murderers' camp, but advised the whites to remain outside, considering it unwise that they should accompany them, as reducing the chances of capture. On their entering the camp the blacks attacked the native police and murdered the whole bard. The whites were subsequently forced to beat a retreat. HoßAitr, December 12. The Maori, bound from London tj Auckland, arrived at 4 o'clock this afternoon. She reports all well, and after coaling resumes her voyage — probably about 11 o'clock to-nighfc.