INTERCOLONIAL Melbourne, December 12.

Otago Witness, Issue 2130, 20 December 1894, Page 35

INTERCOLONIAL Melbourne, December 12.

At the annual meeting of tbe National Mutual Life Association a satisfactory report was presented and adopted. December 13. The Government hope to open trade with Japan In live cattle, butter, cheese, fruit, wine, and probably wool. It is intended to di*cu»a the matter at the meeting of Premiers in Hobart. A phenomenal crushing is reported from a claim at Rockewond Junction, wherw 501b of quartz jielded 1220z of gold, and 32 t»ns of stone from tbe same claim yielded 807 cz of g<'W. A sulphur spring has been discovered at Frunkaton, 26 miles from Melbourne. December 15. Much-needed rain has fallen throughout Victoria. Sydney, December 12. The tbree-maited schooner Thistle has been totally wrecked at the Solomon group. The ere* only reached the shore after oon-sidi-rable difficulty. The vessel was insured for LBOO in the South British office.

In the Legislative Assembly the Premier, replying to a question, stated that be had received a copy of tbe treaty between England and Japan. The Government were considering what action, if any, they would t»ke, as the matter was one which affected all the colonies.

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In Committee of Supply the vote appearing on tbe Estimates for the constitution of the Conciliation Board was struck out by 45 votei to 37. This practically abolishes the board. Mr Kidd, wrltlrjg from New Australia, denies the statement circulated that the settlers thwre are going in for money-making. He says the oemmunity is determined to carry out the rules of tho original organisation, and be speaks hopefully of the ultimate success of the settlement. He declares that if the colony is unable to get more settlers in Australia he will canvass England for them. D*oetnber 13. Day and Bollman have been sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for defrauding a firm In Germany whom they represented. B llman was brought back from Canada The frauds involved the firm in a loss of LI2OO. Tho Bankruptcy Act Amendment Bill which haa been introduced in the Legislative Council provides that a certificate of discharge does not release the bankrupt from liabilities under a judgment of the court in case* for seduction, libel and slander, or as respondent or co-respondent in a divorce suit. Deoember 14. Drs Rongier and Mommont, two local medical men, the latter a nephew of Dr Roux, exp«ct to have the new diphtheria cure ready for use in a fortnight. They are extracting the serum from calves, the latter being cheaper than hor&es. December 16. A return asked for in the Legislative Amenably of the retrenchment made by the lata Ministry, showa that on the plea of retrenchment 372 officers were dinmissed, while 1578 were appointed. The report haa caused a mild sensation. December 17. Tha certificate of the captain of the Gwydir, which recently beCJmo a total wreck, has been suspended fcr six months. The Seaham colliery has notified a leducI tion of tbe hewing rate to 2s lOd, and the New Lambton mine to Is 9d. The Government are considering whether they will follow Victoria's example and give notice in connection with the cable guarantee. If the latter colony ia determined to back out, New South Wales will probably do ao too. Mr Justice Foster, of New South Wales, has resigned. He will be succeeded by Mr Simpson, Attorney-general, Mr Want, Q. 0., taking the latter' h position. Brisbane, December 15. The Hod. T. J Byrnes, tUe Q.ieenMand Attorney-general, has l*ft on a vbit to New Zealand, and goes tbence to the Federal Council. Adelaide, December 13. Owing to tbe inability to pay interest oa

tha debt It is expected the deficit of the Northern Territory for the current year will swell to L 354 fjno.

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The SjuL'i A'.i'ttalun Government have informed the Legislative AssemMy that they will not attempt to pags the State Advances and Consolidation Loan Bills this session. They expect to prorogue Parliament by Friday next.

The South Australian Treasurer has laid on the table the agreement made with the Bank of Australasia, the Union Bank of Australia, the Bank of Adelaide, the Bank of New Zealand, and the Commercial Bank for the banking of Government moneys not in excess of three-quarters of a million. The business is to be equally divided between the banks mentioned, and interest allowed on the monthly balance at the rate of 1 per cent, below the rate given to the public for 12 months' deposits.

Perth, December 16.

The Sapreme Court has decided In favour of Earle, who claimed a one-fifth share in the discovery of a rich reef by the Dunn Bros, in the Coolgardie district. The Dunns have given notice of appeal.

December 17.

The typhoid epidemic at Ooolgardie carries off, on an average, a vicum daily. The bodies are put into old boxes, and buried without record. The Btench comiDg from the cemetery is dreadful owing to the faot that the bodies are only burled about 2ft under the sand.

Beneficial rains have fallen in Coolgardie and district, and the dams have been filled. One inch feJl in 21 hoars.

Hobabt, December 13.

The long continued dry weather is seriously affecting the crops in Tasmania, and the harvest prospects are poor.