INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2159, 11 July 1895, Page 35

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, -July 3.

! Mr Pearson, the Government Agricultural Chemist, reports that extended practical tests of sugar beet-growing in Victoria show a yield of from 25 to 30 tons per acre. The percentage of sugar is 11*28 to 11 22. Both are higher than in any other beet-growing country. The cost of growing and delivery at tho mills is L7 l7s toLB 6s, leaving the growers a profit of from L 7 53 6d to £8 8s per acre, besides greatly improving their land. Mr Pearson comes to the conclusion that few, if any, countries are so well suited to the beet-growing industry as Victoiia. Even at the present low prices, combined with intercolonial Freetrade, Victoria would be well able to hold her own in this industry. Abraham Brothers were found guilty of a charge of conspiracy in connection with the sale of guns, &c. Three of the accused fainted before tbe jury returned their verdict, and sentence was deferred. Amendments have been carried in the Assembly fixing the duty on bottled beer at Is, and on the bulk beer at 9d per gallon. July 4. The Government proposal to fix the duty on woollen goods at 35 per cent, was negatived in" the Assembly. Tbe amendment to make tbe duty 20 per cent, was also rejected, but the Assembly agreed to a 30 per cent, duty, with a reduction to 25 per cent, after January 1897. July 5. A return presented to Parliament doaliDg with the non-paying railways of tbe colony shows that on 31 lines the revenue is sufficient to cover working expenses, leaving the cost of construction totally unprovided for, while 14 lines show a small profit over workleg expenses, but insufficient to cover interest. The total loss on the 45 line 3 last year was L 260.000. > July 7. The total amount received for the Melbourne Hospital during self-denial week was L 5200. The Victorian railway revenue for the year ended June 30 shows a decrease of L 139.000 as compared with last year. July 8. The members of tbe Naval Brigade have unanimously refused to accept the reduced scale of pay, and have disbanded. j A cafe containing over LIOOO worth of jewellery was stolen from the shop of Abraham Smith, Elizabeth street. A horse and cart, also stoler>, used to remove the plunder, were found with the rifled safe at Brunswick. Fifty thousand selected rabbits have been shipped by the Nineveh for London. They are expected to realise 8d each. A similar shipment will ba forwarded at the end of the month. The American barque S. D. Carleton bad a tempestuous voyage from New York. A seaman named Webster, a native of Ngw Zealand, fell overboard, the chief mate was killed by a heavy sea during a gale, and a sailor was irijured. July 9. Details of the accident on board the S. D. Carleton show that Halcb, the chief officer, was literally choked to death in the presence of the crew, he being pinned between the deckhouse and the wheelhouse. Of Webster, who was lost overboard, it is reported that his wife and family live in Wellington. Sydney, July 4. In connection with the recent jswellery robbery from Stewart Dawson and Co.'c, an investigation of the stock up to the present shows a deficiency of L 1650, in addition to the riDg3 stolen. Mr Lowe, Messrs Weddel and Co.'s butter expert, has arrived in Sydney, bringing samples of Danish and Swedish butter. Compared with the locally-made article, be considers if the latter is landed in condition it would find plenty of willing and anxious buyers at prices entirely satisfactory to shippers. July 5. The Rotokino, from Wellington, encountered heavy weather on the trip across and lost 30 of her sheep. July 8. There is renewed activity in the silver share market, and a general improvement in prices. Block X's sold -to-day at 48 advance. Brisbane, July 4. In the Assembly the Minister for Lands declared that, so far as the Socialistic experiment was concerned, co-operative land settlement had proved a dismal failure. Adelaide, July 3. A Postal Conference is Bitting here, at which New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia are represented. The conference is discussing the details of the new ocean mail contract adopted by the Hobart Conference. July 5. Bishop Harmer was installed with imposing ceremony in the cathedral. In the course of a sermon he said that the attitude of the Anglican towards the Roman and Western Churches was for reconciliation, not absorption. The Pastoralists' Union have informed the Shearers' Union that they do not intend to grant a conference to discuss the shearing question, as the relations with the workers are considered satisfactory. Albany, July 9, The Lusitanla has arrived from London. A case of smallpox having occurred, before

the vessel reached Colombo she has been placed in quarantine. Thursday Island, July 3. While arresting a Manila man for attempting to murder hia wife, Constable Conroy received fatal iD]'urie3, being stabbed eight times. He, however, succeeded in holding the murderer until the latter was rescued. Per < h, July 9. The total export of gold for the year ended June 30 is 239.5930z, valued at L 910,000, being an increase as compared with the previous year of L 350.000. The revenue for the year is L 1,125,000,, 125,000, as against L 6 81,000 for 1804. Hobart, July 6. The trustees of the Bank of Van Diemsn's Land are arranging another lottery.