INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2078, 21 December 1893, Page 27

INTERCOLONIAL. (Per Press Association.)

Melbourne, December 14.

A conference to discuss the question of federation is being held under the auspices of the Australian Natives' Association. Mr Deakin, who is chairman, said he considered the chief lion in their path was the difficulty of arriving at a common tariff. Mr Shiels commented upon the apathy and indifference of the people of the colonies to the proposed union, and Sir G. Berry blamed the other colonies for not showiag more warmth in matter. The latter thought that their recent financial misfortuHes should have acted as an iucentive to federal action. So far the conference has not resulted in any de aided movement.

The Full Court to-day heard argument on the points reserved in the case of the woman . Knorr, convicted of child murder in connection with the recent baby farming, and dismissed them.

December 15.

A piece of paper has been picked up at Port Melbourne stating that the ship Ontario, bound from Canton to Melbourne, has been lost off the Philippine Inlands, and the crew are making for Sings pore in the vessel's boats.

There was a terribly impressive scene in the Supreme Court while the judge was sentencing the woman Knorr to death for child murder, and she had to be supported in the dock. At the cenc'usion she fainted away. His Honor held out no hopes of the sentence being commuted.

In the Speight v. Syme libel action, Mr Purves is still addressing the court on behalf of the defence. Dealing with the locomotive branch to-day, he characterised Mr Allison Smith as a smasher-up unparalleled in history, and said he would have made a rare iconoclast had he lived in the Middle Ages.

Two Chinese quarrelled near Bairnsdale, when one chopped the other to death with a tomahawk and then committed suicide by cutting open his abdomen with the same weapon.

December 16

A girl near Bendigo, suffering severely from faceache, lit a fire in a hollow tree and committed suicide by throwing herself into the blaze. A raboitcr named Fifczsimraons, living at

Werribee, attacked his wife with a pick handle, beat his father-in-law almost to deatb, and then attempted suicide with a razjr. There is no hoDe of the father-in-law

recovering, but some chance of saving his own and his wife's life.

The 25-mile Bicycle Road Race was won by PatLerson, o£ Victoria. A. J. Body, of Christchurch^ though unplaced, mado the fastest time — viz., lh 21min 57sec.

December 18.

The man who was brutally beaten by his son-in-law, Fitzsimmons, a rabbiter, at Werribee, has succumbed to his injuries.

The murderer, Fitzsimmons, has also succumbed to his self-inflicted injuries.

The barque Trafalgar has completed a sensational voyage from Batavia. While loading there a number of her crew deserted, and the second mate was discharged. The captain died shortly afterwards of fever, and the chief officer of the vessel decided to leave such an unhealthy atmosphere, but fever broke out a few days after sailing. The mate was attacked by the epidemic and died, and five of the crew succumbed at intervals. The command of the vessel then devolved upon a lad of 18 named Sholton, who had just completed his identures, and he succeeded in bringing the vessel safely into port.

Sydney, December 14.

Broad, a solicitor, has been convicted of misappropriation of trust fund?, and sentenced to five years' imprisonment and ordered to pay a sum of £500 to the defrauded party.

Sir H. Parkes delivered an address to his constituents last night on " The New Order of Autocratic Government Instituted by Sir G. R. Dibbs." His speech was a severe denunciation of the Ministry, and he intimated his intention to vote against the granting of Supply when the House meets.

Mr Heydon, barrister, has accepted the Attorney-generalship. He will be sworn in to-morrow and appointed to the Upper House. Mr Slaltery will temporarily act as Minister for Justice.

It is expected that the barque Royal Tar will come to New Zealand on her next trip from the settlement known as New Australia, in Paraguay, in order to take intending emigrants from this colony.

December 15.

A mad Indian, with a powder-flask and unloaded revolver in his possession, attempted to interview Sir G. R. Dibbs. He was promptly arrested. At a conference of dairy farmers the question of butter export was discussed, and it was decided to raise a pro rata levy of per lb. Mr Valentine, the New Zealand expert, addressed the conference. He said New South Wales butter was not as good as it should be. There might be some second to none, but that was no reason why all should not be so.

The Ovalau, which broke her shafr, has been safely towed here for repairs.

The bush fires in the Narrandeia district have been almost extinguished. They burnt over nearly 100 miles of country.

The Government are sanguine that they will be able to pass the important measures which were checked by prorogation when the House meets in January.

Owing to compulsory retirements under the Government retrenchment scheme, there has been a severe strain on the civil service superannuation fund, and the Government have been appealed to to place the fund in a solvent condition. The income amounts to L6OOO per month, while the expenditure reaches LBOOO per month.

December 16

An understanding has been arrived at between the owners of the northern collieries and the men as to rates of pay for hewing. It has been agreed that when the selliDg price of coal is 8a per ton the hewing rate shall be 2s lOd, with a sliding scale of Id in each rise of 3d in the selling price.

A letter passed by the Council of the Anglican Churches and signed by the primate urges the electors to consider not only the capacity but give special weight to the claims and characters of the candidates at the coming election.

December 17.

The Sunday Times publishes an account of an interview with the alleged head of the Active Service Brigade, whose performances are prominently before the public at the present time. The society is a semi-secret one with headquarters in New Zealand. Its business manager is unknown and the council is comprised of the leaders of the social reform movement. The alleged head stated that the society is possessed of 9000 members, and that the leading plank of it 3 platform is antagonism to banking institutions.

A half-decked yacht capsized in the harbour, when Mr and Mrs Lamelec, Misses Bertha Hilton, Annie Owen, and Hegarty were drowned. Messrs Rider, Kingsbury, and French are missing. Five others were rescned.

December 18.

French, one of the occupants of tho yacht which capsized yesterday, has turned up safely; but there is little doubt that tbe other two who were missing (Rider and Kingsbury) are drowned. The boat had a lead keel, and sank within 15 seconds. Several plucky rescues are recorded in connection with the accident.

The Governor has remitted the fines imposed on the manager, secretary, and directors of the Dubbo Boiling-down Company for slaughtering without a license. The total penalties amounted to L50.G10.

The wheat yield for the colony is now estimated at 7,500,000 bushels, the average being 12*6 bushels per acre. The grain is generally of good quality.

Adelaide, December 14.

A motion in favour of giving a bonus upon the exportation of meat has been carried, leaving the question to be inquired into by the Government during the recess. A motion in favour of the Government advancing money upon real estate was negatived by 19 to 18.

Mr Goyder, who for 42 years has held the post of Surveyor-general in South Australia, has resigned on account of ill-health.

The South Australian Government do not intend to take any action against Victoria in connection with the boundary dispute till next session, by which time it is expected that the result of the communications with the Imperial authorities will be known. December 15. The Legislative Council has passed an Additional Income Tax Bill.

December 16.

The Budget of the Northern Territory shows that the finances are going from bad to worse. Were it not for the interest on the debt incurred on account of public works the revenue would meet the expenditure.

Eight aborigines were burned to death in a bush five at Eyre. The telegraph lineman only escaped by galloping 13 miles in front of the fire.

December 17.

Sir 0. E. Braddon, late Agent-general for Tasmania, has arrived here en route for Hob&rt. He speaks hopefully of the restoration of confidence in Australia by British investors.

The South Australians were not disposed of in their second innings till they had made 483. G. Giffen was responsible for the great ecore of 205 — a splendid exhibition of batting.

Brisbane, December 14.

The native crew murdered the two white owners of the cutter Beiyl and then turned the vessel adrift near Barron Point.

A hurricane half demolished the township of Mayton. Three finches of rain fell in a short time.

December 15. The Premier leaves to-morrow on a visit to New Zealand for the sake of his health.

It is understood that within a few days the rates on the Queensland railways will be assimilated and the zone system introduced.

Large punitive forces are being despatched to the Dacie river to capture or punish the natives who killed a number of black troopers lately.

Five of the native troopers who entered a native camp in pursuit of some native murderers and were attacked escaped down the Ducie river, but the other five are believed to have been killed. Fully 300 natives took part in the attack on the police force.

Perth, December 16. The Minister for Lands has received a communication from an association formed in Adelaide to establish a co-operative settlement on the lines of the "New Australia" colony in Paraguay. The association ask the Victorian Government whether they will grant 100,000 acres, with right of enlarging it to a quarter of a million acres, for the purpose of forming a settlement ; and if th 6 land laws of the colony do not allow them to take up land, whether the Government will grant it on the perpetual lease system. The Minister has replied stating that there is no area suitable for the proposed association's purpose available in Victoria. He also asks for further details regarding the objects of the association.

Hobart, December 14,

At the trial of Brigga, who ia charged with wrecking the express train in Horseshoe Valley, Tasmania, the Chief Justice, in summing up, said it was the most diabolical crime that had been perpetrated in Tasmania. The jury, however, disagreed, and the prisoner was remanded till next session.

The nominations for the general election in Tasmania have been closed. Sir B. C. Br addon (ex -Agent-general) was returned unopposed for West Devon.

December 15. The Attorney-general and the Colonial Treasurer have been returned unopposed.

A rich discovery of silver ore has been made in the Mount Lyell mine. Seventy tons of ore was taken out while cutting a chamber at the 50ft level. When assayed it yielded 98,000 ounces of silver.