INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2103, 14 June 1894, Page 36

INTERCOLONIAL.

Press Association — By Telegraph— Copyright. " Melbourne, June 6. Mr Shiels's amendment to the Address-in-Rsply was negatived by 49 to 34, and the Address agreed to. June 7. Some excitement was caused here by the reported intention of the Government of New South Wales to levy a toll on wheat and wool crossing the Murray river for carriage to the Victorian seaboard as a reprisal for the Victorian stock tax. The returns show the aggregate imports from New South Wales .annually to be L 3,071,000. The loss on railway freight alone would be L 176.000, while the whole stock tax levied last year was only L 77.000. The Rev. L. M. Isitt, of New Zealand, is conducting a series of direct veto meetings here. Mr J. F. Turnbull, merchant, is bankrupt. His liabilities amount to L 33.500 and the assets to L 4400. June 9. The American ship Habitat, 1619 tons, has been almost totally destroyed by fire. The vessel had discharged her inward cargo, and was about to sail for Newcastle. Captain Potter, with his wife and child, had a narrow escape, getting out of the cabin just as the flames burst up through the mizzen hatch. The vessel had to be filled with water before the flames were extingu'ishe i. Incendiarism is expected, as there are indications of the cabin having been robbed. June 11. The report of the two delegates sent to India by the Victorian Government to investigate tra^e prospects there is somewhat discouraging. It would be useless, bo they report, to attempt to introduce frozen meat into India unless proper provision is made for cool storage. The demand for the best quality of meat is small, the principal business being done with a medium article. With regard to supplying the Indian army, the delegates found that fresh meatecan be obtained at much less cost locally than the frozen article. A prominent politician, who is understood to be in the confidence of Sir G. R. Dibbs, has unfolded the latter's scheme for unification. It seems Sir G. B. Djjjbs drafted a bill in ten clauses which provides that New South Wales and Victoria should entsr into a partnership ; the indebtedness- of each to be the general debt ; the tariffs to be assimilated; lands and other assets to be combined ; and a Federal Government to be established, with Sydney as the place of meeting. Local Parliaments are to be retained in the form of huge municipal councils to look after local air" dr.". The sentence of death on Watson and Djugla3 for the murder of the Frenchman Posset has been commuted to imprisonment for life. Sydney, June G. Doctor Rsnnie, of Canton, states that the disei&e there is similar to the great plague | which visited London in IGGS. AU vessels from the infected place will be promptly quarantined. Mr Edmund Barton, addressing the electors last night, said be did not agree with the Premier's plan, which was not federation, but rather unification. A large fire from a spectacular point of view took place last night at Pyrmont, where a shed containing 100,000 cases was destroyed. But for the direction of the wind a number of vessels would have be6n endangered. The city was brilliantly illuminated. The loss is set down at £2000,

Sir G. R, Dibbs considers the British Government has embarked on a dangerous course of action io regard to death duties, and one calculated to create unpleasant feelings between the mother country and the

colonies. He has instructed Sir Saul Samuel to join with the other agents-general in making a combined protest against the provisions of the bill as affecting the colonies. "June 7. The Bishop Designate of Melanesia is a passenger by the Mararoa to New Zealand.

Tne steamer Chingtu has been released from quarantine. It is stated the bubonic plague in Hongkong is due to the drought causing the dirt to accumulate in the streets.

In view of the approaching general elections, the Country party has issued a manifesto dealirg with the questions of land reform, local government, federation of the Australian colonies, mining on private lands, and establishment of a State bank. The party's platform on land reform includes the abolition of sale by auction of Crown lands other than town or suburban areas. June 10. The general elections take place in the last week in August. June 11. Parliament has been prorogued till July Adelaide, June 6. The banks have notified the Government that the practice of allowing 3 per cent, interest on their floating balances will be discontinued. June 7. Parliament was opened to-day. The Governor's Speech announced that it was proposed to submit a scheme for the immediate conversion of portion of the public debt, and its more systematic payment. The village settlements in the colony presented a hopeful outlook It was proposed to establish an irrigation settlement on Lake Bonney. Parliament was asked to sanction the issue of* Treasury note?, and other measures affecting banking institutions would be brought forward. The Government would reintroduce progressive taxation proposals, a woman's franchise bill, legislation for the adoption of the referendum system, and an amendment of the L'censcd Victuallers Act to extend the principle of local optioD. It was hoped Victoria would accept a suggestion to refer the boundary disputes to aroitration. Brisbane, June 7. The Agent-general for the eoleny in London has been instructed to join in a protest against Sir W. V. Hircourt's death duty proposals. June 8. Hongkong has been declared an infected port. June 11. Mr Power, leader of the Opposition, has disclosed the policy of that party. They are opposed to the reappointment of the Railway Commissioners ; opposed to unjust taxation and unjust retrenchment ; will encourage the export of frozen meat and dairy produce ; and will support the one-man-one-vote principle and the referendum. The party will also favour fair taxation, and generally adopt New Zealand's political programme. They also intend to put a stop to land-grant swindles and to private monopoly of railways. A woman named Spence, residing "at Maryborough, pouoned herself and five children with carbolic acid. All died with the exception of the infant. Perth, June 11. Two minerp, who have returned from the scene of the new find to the eastward of Coolgardie, are s f ated to have brought back 10,000oz with them. June 12. A good patch of alluvial gold has been Btruck on the northern edge of Lake Carey, equidistant 150 miles from Coolgardie and Karnalpi, whence men are flocking to the new field. Thdruday Island, June 9. The offioers of the steamer Tsinan report that Europeans go fearlessly through the infected . districts in Hongkong, and the plague is confined to the coloured people's quarters. Ths greatest number of deaths on any one day up to the time the Tsinan left was 30. It is believed that the disease is abating. Hobabt, Juno 7. The report of the Government geologist regarding the Mount Huxley district was laid on the table of the House yesterday. He states that there has been foul play, as all samples submitted to him had been. " salted," and vitiated all his tests. He is unable to state the value of ths deposit, if any, but believes that there is a little gold, though not sufficient to make its working payable. The Premier said that steps would bd taken to punish the guilty parties. June 8. Mr Philip Samuel, of Sydney, who is said to be the sole proprietor of the Mount Huxley mine, has requested the Government to again send a geologist to the mine, and urges that be should take bis own" staff with him. He adds that he is convinced that the geologist made a great mistake, and adheres to his former estimate of the richness of the discovery. Jone 9. Mr Samuels, had an interview with the Government re the Mount Huxley mine, with the result that the Government geologist is to make a second visit.