CABLEGRAMS. INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 16

CABLEGRAMS.

INTERCOLONIAL.

Press Association— By Telegraph— Copyright. Melbourne, February 7. The Premier has addressed a letter to the other Premiers suggesting that, as the prosperity of Australia is largely dependent on the cheap exportation of products, representatives to the Postal Conference in New Zealand should be instructed to give the questions of mail contracts and transport of products at low rates in connection with them their firet attention and greatest prominence. February 8. A boarding house in Flinders street was burned down last night. One inmate named Cole was burned to death, while five others were seriously injured in effecting escapes. The Agricultural department is sending a trial shipment of poultry to London. February 9. Bennett, who shot dead a boy named Jose who was irritating him, has been convicted on a charge of murder and sentenced to death. The judge, in passing sentence, said he would recommend a reprieve, owing to the great provocation to which the accused had been subjected. The German warship Falke is bound to Samoa. Judgment has been entered for Mr Speight for LIOO and costs in accordance with the verdict of the jury in the libel action against the Age, but tbe money is to remain in court until the other issues on which the jnry disagreed are decided. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Kemp, late secretary to the Treasury Tender Board, on a charge of embezzlement. The amount involved is believed to be about LIO.OOO. February 11. Mr D. Gillies, the new Agent- General, has left for London. February 12. The case of eggs placed in tbe Government refrigerating chamber on January 1 has been found to be in excellent condition. In some instances the shells were cracked, which ig believed to be due to the temperature being somewhat lower than was necessary. The average temperature was 2G72. The Premier haß announced that the Government intend to firmly suppress the distribution of properties by lottery, as he considers it will not help the colony out of its difficulties, but encourage a spirit of gambling. It is estimated that it will cost £50,000 to repair the damage caused by recent floods in Gippsland. February 13. The Cabinet have decided, considering tbat the tendency of the high rates of interest charged by the banks is to cripple enterprise, to formulate a scheme for advancing money at 5 per cent, to small landholders from the savings banks. It is estimated that 1,000,000 bushels of wheat will be available for export. A snggestion has been made that, owing to the !dw prices ruling for wheat, the Government per cent. When interviewed on the question, the Government declared that they were unable to accede to the suggestion. Sydney, February 7. The retrenchment party intend to press the Government to further reduce the salaries of civil servants. A reduction of 5 per cent, ia to be made in salaries between L3OO and LSOO, 10 per cent, in salaries between LSOO and L 700 ,15 per cent, between L7OO and LIOOO, and 20 per cent, in all salaries above LIOOO. If the Government does not accept this proposal tbe party intend to take a test vote on the question, and if they are unsuccessful in this direction then they will fight the Estimates item by item. February 8. The efforts of the retrenchment party in challenging salaries were futile. The proj posed reductions were rejected bj large majorities. A scene occurred after midnight. The Chairman called Mr Schey to order several j times, and at last the latter rose and said : I " I hope this may be the last time I am to be selected for improper and impertinent interference by the Chairman, whose conduct ." He then stopped and marched out of the Chamber. Mr Speaker took the chair, and Mr Schey was brought back. His apology only accentuated the offence, and, on the motion of the Premier, he was adjudged guilty of contempt. Afterwards he made an unreserved apology, and a motion to commit the offending member to custody was withdrawn. A letter received at Albury from New Australia states that many of the settlers are without shoes and in rags. There are no ploughs, and the men are digging with spades. It is reported that a split has occurred among the settlers, who are now divided into two parties. FebiuarylO. A meeting of pastoralists appointed a committee to draft a scheme for a new company, with the object of advancing the meat export trade and opening fresh markets. February 11. There is a great glut in the wheat market both in Victoria and New South Wales, and farmers are holding stock, declining to sell at the ruling low price. In Victoria 1,015,000 bags of wheat are lying at various railway stations. In the municipal elections throughout the colony the returns so far show decided opposition to an increase of rmblicans' licenses. February 12. The Telegraph publishes an article praising the taxation policy of New Zealand. February 13. News has been received by the Government of the 'discovery of a new reef at Hillend. The crushing is yielding at the rate of lOOoz per ton. Tbe reef" can be traced along the surface for 500 ft. Newcastle, February 13. j Captain Robertson, of the Timaru Harbour Board's dredge No. 304, is dead. He was taken ashore from the vessel a few days ago in a very low state. Brisbane, February 7. The search fcr the missing boat from the foundered steamer Kanakooka has been abandoned. j The fire on the Dorunda was discovered.

among the wool on, Thursday last. A number of bales were jettisoned and the fire got under, but it broke out again. There was a third outbreak while the Duke of Argyle was standing by. So serious was this outbreak that ib was thought the vessel was doomed. All the ship's stores were destroyed, and a fresh supply was obtained from the Duke of Argyle. February 8. The Queensland Deposit Bank ha 3 issued a circular announcing its inability to carry out the reconstruction scheme agreed upon by the depositors in February last, and asks for an extension of time. Three fires have occurred recently on the British India Company's steamers, giving ground for suspecting incendiarism. The company are applying to the Government for a searching inquiry into the fire on board the Dornnda. The names of the missing men of the steamer Kanabooka : are Bradley, chief officer ; Priestly, second officer ; Archer, third officer ; Stirling, third engineer ; Moran, steward ; Johnston, Cheshire, Bishop, and M'Fee, seamen. The missing boat belonging to the Kanabooka has turned up safely at Batavia river. Details of the disaster show that the crew of the vessel had a terrible time. A terrific sea struck the steamer on Thursday, and carried away the deckhouse and skylight. Men were lashed to the rail endeavouring to batten the hole caused by the loss of the deckhouse, and were frequently washed overboard and hauled back again to the deck of the vessel. The pumps were kept going till Friday, but the fires were then extinguished, and the vessel was abandoned. She sank soon after the crew left her. After the capsize of the captain's boat the occupants swam nine miles, taking the boat with them, and they subsequently succeeded in righting her. February 12. It has transpired that the seaman Cheshire is not among the survivors of the Kanakooka disaster. He is supposed to have been washed overboard during the storm. The British India Company's steamer Dorunda, which was on fire at sea, arrived at Java safely. A thousand bales of wool and 40 cases of preserved meats have been damaged, while the vessel herself has also suffered severe damage. Jacky, the Dora Dora black who cleverly escaped from the custody of the police, has been recaptured. Adelaide, February 13. A gentleman named Horn has intimated his willingness to arrange an expedition to scientifically examine the M'Donnell Ranges at bis own expanse. It is proposed to invite I scientists from Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wale 3to accompany the expedition. It is expected Professor Tate will be the local representative. Thursday Island, February 9. The Kanabooka survivors suffered terrible privations. The chief officer's boat capsized about a mile from the shore. Two of the occupants were unable to swim, but their comrades assisted them to reach the shore. As the second enj:me^iindjhe_second officer.. ~were"~the strongest swimmers they~w'e'fe" despatched to Batavia for assistance. They had great hardships on the journey, having to swim rivers swarming with alligators. Relief was sent by the Batavian Mission Station, and the remainder of the men were brought in. They were on the verge of star- J vation for eighteen days. Hobart, February 13. The Premier, in the course of a speech, said it had been decided to reintroduoe the last taxation proposals. It was estimated that additional revenue to the amount of LIOO.OOO was required.