INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2181, 19 December 1895, Page 35

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, December 10. There is an impression iv political cirolei that the Government will either propose a reduction of the exemption under the income tax to Ll6O or increase the rates charged. Eastern files give the names of those " drowned in H M.B. Edgar's launch. They include Gannery-instructor Bailey, Secondclaßß Potty Officers Elton and Riid, dOpailorfl, a buglt-r, and four boys. December 12. ,-j.Signcr Da Alba, a well-knowu artist, obtained a verdict against the Freehold Investment and Banking Company for injuries to hia wife, caused by a defective lift at defendant's building. December 15. The Police R;gulation Amendment Bill, allowing a constable to go insolvent and to secure reinstatement in the force on obtaining a certificate of clearance from the judge of th« Insolvency Court, has passed the Victorian Legislative Assembly. A bill which givrs newspaper companies power to sue for debts and confers on them rights equivalent to other similar bodies haß passed the Victorian Legitlative Assembly. Sydney. December 10. The liquidator of the Federal Bank of Australia has obtained the sanction of the court to remit L 15.000 to London in anticipation of paying a further Is dividend in February. It is stated'that the bank will be able to pay .20s in the pound. A good general rain is falling. It will do a little damage in the early harvest districts, but otherwise the benefit will be considerable. December 11. The Minister for Public Works has given notion for the construction of five lines oi railway, as well as the construction of electric tramways in Sydney. The conference upon tbe Pacific cable has assumed a«£omewhat complex form. Practically a decision has been arrived at on general matters, but some details of importauoe are not decided. Queensland is at variance with the other colonies in regard tc the route, while the Hon. Mr Ward wanted U have a viva voce interview, and, not being abh to visit Sydney at present, wishes the delegates to come to New Zealand. Theconferenci has now separated, with the intention oi holding a wider conference, embracing all the colonies. It will probably be held in New Zealand in 'January. The correspondence read showed that if an equitable arrangement can be come to in regard to the overland line there is a probability oi Weßtern and South Australia joining the scheme. It is expected that Sir S. Samnel and Mi Duncan Gillies will be appointed delegates to represent Australasia on the commission, though reference w&s made to the propriety of selecting Sir W. Perceval. The Legal Amalgamation Bill, providing for placing barristers and solicitors on the same status, was rejected on the motion for the second reading. The estimated cost of the new railway works mentioned yesterday is L 2.196.000. The Chief Railway Commissioner (Mi Eddy) states that the general rallwaj revenue has decreased heavily since Octobei 1, and it is neaily L 70.000 short compared with the earnings during the same period of last year. The loss is entirely due to the diminution of the wool traffic through tba drought. December 12, A. despatch received by the Warrimoo, dated Unntreal. October 26. sava that fet

Ointdian Government have decided to withdraw their offer of 750,000d0l for a fast Atlantic service. An arrangement has been made between the Government and the Allan and Dominion lines of steamships by which a subsidy will be granted to each Company, each agreeing to put in commission two 17-knot vessels. December 13. Barker, the Queensland giant, who took part in the Gght with Plaacke, the wellknown swimming champion, when the latter was punished so severely that bis life was | for some time despaired of, has be3n acquitted on the charge of committing grievous bodly harm on Plaacke. The jury added a rider that the. Government should take steps to pat a stop to boxing contests. In recognition of the gallantry displayed in rescuing the crew of the French barque Terre Neuve, off the Island of St. Paul when that vessel was in a sinking condition, the Shipwreck Rescue Society has presented the csptain and the chief officers of the rescuing vessel, the Aristides, each with a gold medal, trod also those comprising the reecaing boat's crew (five in number) with silver medals and Lp each. Previously the French consul-general had visited the Ariatides and had officially- thanked the lescners on behalf of the French Governmeat, .and-enlogised the Bravery of all conbernedT " In the course 1 of a snrvey J at .the ' Pacific Islands, the' survey vessel Penguin reports that she made attempts to obtain coundiegs near the Friendly group, bat the wire snapped iat a depth of 29,400 ft without the bed of tbe ocean being reached. This is the despest fcnown water in the world, and is nearly 1500 ft deeper than the deepest previously known in the Pacific, and * 2000 ft deeper than any known in the North Atlantic. The Government proposed to grant a subsidy of L 50,000 per annum to tbe RailTray Oommietioners in order to enable them to rednce the rates of certain districts, bat the proposal met with each a hostile reception that the Premier withdrew it, but, it is stated, will introduce it next session. The cue is evidently taken from tbe Victorian Hallway Trust Bill, which embodies a ahnilar idea. At present tbe burden of unprofitable lines is borne by the paying ones, and any loss beyond has to be made up from the general revenue. The figures given in tho annual report of the Railway department show this loss amounts to some L 360.000. The idea seemed to be to devote L 50.000 per annum towards reducing this sum, thereby enabling the general railway rates to be reduced. Alderman Ives is mayor-elect for Sydney. Dating the conree of a speech after the election, the retiring mayor (Mr D. Lees) announced that it was the intention of the Queen to confer the title of Lord Mayor upon the mayor of Sydney daring the coming year, so that Mr Ives would be the Crst,to bear the title. * '.' - December 15. Ships arriving from Rio de Janeiro confirm Ihe reports of tbe deplorable condition of the populace there. Smallpox is raging in the capital, and the death rate is reported to be 140 daily. Many vessels, it is said, are enable to get away, as the orews are laid low with dieeaee. Brisbane, December 11. Heavy rain has fallen at Croydon, three leches being registered in two hours. Several bridges were washed away, and^a number of houses on the low -lying parts of the district flooded. The Government bacteriologist's exhaustive experiments of the disease in sheep supposed to ba red water proves to be solely due to licks, and is not contagious. December 15. A dastardly attempt was made to wreck a mail train at Warbrick, Queensland. A halfhundredweight of iron was placed on the rails, bat tbe cowcatcher fortunately removed the obstacle. The 2Jo. 8 South Lidy Mary mine at Gympie, Queensland, has been flooded, as the result of a blast, A miner named Adams had his arm bcoken in making his eg cape. Another is still entombed, but hopes are entertained that he will be rescued alive. Adelaide, December 11. A storm so violent -as to almost amount to a oyolone passed over the oity and its Buburbs last night. Much damage was done, many buildings being unroofed. The Theatre Eoyal, the Adelaide Club, and the City Baths were severely damaged. Some idea of the force of the storm may be gathered from the fact that the roof of the distillery at Magill was blown away, and its whereabouts has not jet been discovered. December 12. ■ The recent interruption to the overland line to Port Darwin is explained by the fact that the departmental repairers, discovering the wires cat near Alice Springs, . traced some foot tracks throDgh the ba&h and found an old man in the last extremity. He said he had been two days without water, md, becoming almost demented, cat the ■ires in the hope of attracting relief. December 13. Sir J. Fowell Buxton, the new Governor, kas refused for the present to become patron of the leading racing clnbs in South Lustralia. » December 15. The South Australian Legislative Assembly lias pa»6ed the hill authorising the issue of treasury bills to cover the estimated deficit »f L 98.000, bnt it is improbable that the hills will be issued. Hobabt, December 12. The Government have granted LIOO for /he experimental laying of 50ft of Tasmanian hardwood paving In the principal street of Glasgow.