INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 19

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, November 24. The Government have received a return from the leading wheat-prow ing districts estimating the yield at 6,958,000 busbeli, or aa increase of 1,289,000 bushels on last season. Owing somewhat to unsubstantial data these figures must, be taken with reserve. ' Another daring attempt at burglary was frustrated. Two men sleeping in Chancellor's store, North Melbourne, were aroused by a noise, when they saw three men carrying; away the safe. Several shots were exchanged without doing any barm, and then the burglars decamped, leaving the safe behind. The National Insurance Company of New Zealand had a line of L2OOO on Mr Allen's stock in tbe recent fire ia Melbourne. The use of tbe Bb'atgen rays for the treatment of cancer has been^pronounced by the Albury doctors to be a failure. Some improvement was at first noticeable in the patient, but it was not permanent. November 25. A boy named Morkbam had a terrible experience, which ended fatally. He was out shooting at Yarra Glen, when be came across a tiger snake. He clubbed big gun and struck the reptile, but the force of the blow causedboth barrel* to explode, making a frightful wound in his thigh. The unfortunate lad lay on the ground 17 hours before a collie dog succeeded in attracting assistance. The leg was amputated, but the boy died. Meetings of the members of the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia and the Mutual Assurance Society of Victoria have been called for December 11 to consider the adoption of a scheme of amalgamation drawn up by a joint committee consisting of the officers of both societies. The scheme haß been under consideration for several months, and the report has been recommended for adoption by the directors of both societies. The objectof tbe amalgamation is the consolidation and extension of the dual business, a saving in the expenses of management, and more complete organisation of the office staffs.- The agreement proposes to transfer the business, assets, and liabilities' of the Mutual to the National as the older and, lesser society. Under the amalgamation scheme it is proposed to gradually reduce the number of directors to seven and dispense with a number of employees. This is the first amalgamation of tbe kind ever attempted in tbe colonies. A new Loan Conversion Bill has been circulated. It authorises the Government to raise L 2.900.000 at 3 per cent, to redeem 4 per cent, stock due in 1897*. The conversion, which is authorised for April next, will mean a laving of over L23.C00 annually in interest. November 26. A company is projected to take over Mildura, with a capital of LIOO.OOO or L 150.000, and it is proposed to issue a quarter of a million of 3| per cent, debentures, and to ask the Government to guarantee tbe interest. The report of the Life Assurance Inquiry Board recommends an amendment of the law so as to prohibit societies registered under the Friendly Societies Act doing life Insurance business, and that life policies be xendered secure from creditors, notwithstanding bankruptcy, subject to a oharge in ~ favour of the creditors to the extent of the premiums p»d daring the three years preceding insolvency. The Baker*' Association have reduced tho torice of floor 10s per ton. : ' ._. . . November 27. Greatheat has been experienced throughout the colony during the past five days. It gave way to a general rainfall, and during the thunderstorm a Wesleyan parsonage was struck by lightning and considerably damaged, while tie minister had a narrow fcsoaca.

At Kanlva a farmer named Foote was getting through a wire fence, and as be grasped the wire he was struck dead by lightning. Cameron, who confessed to forging a will, and another witness named Oraoknell in the same case have been oonvicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment each. November 28. The mayor has received a aoble raesiage from the Hon. Mr Seddon expressing sympathy with the sufferers in the recent fire. Stdney, November 24, On the strength of later reports the Daily Telegraph has reduced its estimate of the colony's wheat yield to seven million bushels. In consequence of the recent hot winds a much larger area than was expected has baen cut for hay. News from tbe New Hebrides states that the volcano Ambrigo is again active, and is covering the island with volcanic dust, which is destroying vegetation. Earthquake shocks are of frequent occurrence, and the natives fear another serious eruption. According to English traders, French 1 influence is gradually consolidating, and the settlements are extending. Part of the L 15.000 granted by the French Government to the French trading company is being spent in bringing out immigrants. November 25. Commander Harbert Booth, of tbe Salvation Army, on his arrival here received an enthusiastic reception. A procession of 3000 Salvationists, carrying torches, paraded the main streets. November 26. In connection with the development of tbe produce export trade the Goveramsut have decided to appoint an expert butter grader, and also- an expert in the preparation of rabbits, hares, and poultry for shipment. In the course of a year or two they hope to establish a cool storage depot. After serving 10 years' imprisonment the Mount Ronnie prisoners Newman, DonneJlan, Miller, Keegan, and Hill have been released. , Mr N. Lockyer, Receiver in the Treasury department, succeeds Mr Powell as Collector of Customs. November 27. Jerome has been committed for trial on two charges cf forging promissory notes. November 29. Glenbrook, a email township ou the Blue Mountains, has been the centre of two seasutional disappearances, which in both cases point to murder. Some short time ago an advertisement appeared in a Sydney newspaper seeking for a man with capital to join another in a prospeoting venture. A retired sea captain named Wilier applied and came to' terms with the advertiser, and accompanied him to Glenbrook. Wilier then disappeared, bnt certain articles known to have belonged to him have been found partially burnt. This discovery led to the friends of another Sydney resident who was missing placing the matter in the hands of the police. The last-mentioned missing man had also replied to an advertisement, and went to Glenbrook to meet the advertiser. Speers, for many years municipal treasurer in Sydney, has given himself np to the police on a charge of embezzling the funds of the city. The defalcations are supposed to ba heavy. November 30. F. A. Iredale'a letter to the Cricket Association aßking certain terms for playing in the forthcoming intercolonial matches was considered at a meeting o£ the Cricket Association to-night. It was decided to inform Iredale that he must follow the usual custom of asking for payment at the conclusion of the matobes. The commission which was set up to inquire into the truth of Mr Varney Parkes's charges against the Public Works department has found that Mr Parkes could not prove his charges, but considers he acted with the bsst of motives. H.M.S. Pylades has arrived from Long Island, bringing the remainder of the crew of the wrecked schooner Siskin. Miss Sadie M'Donald, a prominent member of Hoyt's " Trip to Chinatown " Company, died suddenly on Saturday night after the opening performance of "A Milk-white Flag" at Her Majesty's Theatre. The deceased lady had injured her spine recently during rehearsal, and this 1b supposed to have caused her death. Bbisbane, November 24. The Queensland Government bacteriologist has made a satisfactory report on experiments with chicken cholera as a means for the eradication at rabbits. In connection with the Queensland National Bank Bill, it is slated that the Queensland Labour party will endeavour to obtain promises, from the Government to make further investigation into the past management of the bank. H.MS. Pylades calls at Long Island to bring up to Brisbane a portion of the crew of tha ketch Siskin, wrecked on tho Chesterfield Reef. The captain and four 'of the crew reached the Queensland coast in an open boat and reported the wreck. November 25. - The Premier has given notice of motion to introduce tbe National Bank Bill. Mr Glassey said the Labour party would give all possible assistance, but he thought further inquiry should be made in the interests of the country. < Mr M'Donald said he gave the Government credit for not consciously misleading the House in 1893. The chances were they were themselves misled, but it was now their duty to discover who was responsible for placing before them false books and balance sheets. In the Legislative Assembly the -Premier announced that Sir H. Norman, ex-Governor of Queensland, had been appointed as the colony's Agent-general. November 26. In introducing the Bank Bill, Premier Nelson promised that a searching inquiry would be made into the affairs of tbe Queensland National Bank. The Bank Bill is a short measure of six clause?, drawn on the lines of the commissioners' scheme. It provides that the final repayment of the money owing to the Government under the original agreement may be deferred not later than 1931, that the rate of interest be not less than 2\ per cent., that in the evenb of a new company being formed to acquire the bank's business, the Colonial Treasurer may accept the liability of. Buoh company in satisfaction of the

claims and demands against the Queensland National Bank. The Government propose to cable the mining returns monthly to England. Another case of smallpox has developed on board the Pake of Devonshire. The patient is a Chinese. November 28. The Premier has announced that it is the intention of the Government to raise a loan of 1)2,324,000 to meet appropriations for public works, the stock to bear interest at 3£ per cent. There is no hurry for the money, exoopt the possibility of anything going wrong by reason of a European war or some such oootiuganey. The Treasury is in an exceedingly healthy state, and does not expect to place more than a million and a-half of the loan in London, tbe rest being raised locally. Adelaide, November 25. Mr Henniker Heaton, Mr T. B. Cnrran, and Mr W. Redmond, M.P's., have arrived from Londou. The visit is purely in connection j with private aff dira. j November 26. In the Legislative Assembly Mr Foster . moved that the Government invite tenders j for the construction of a transcontinental j railway on the land-grant system, on the basis of a 99 years' lease. The Labour party opposed tbe motion, and the debate was adjourned. | November 27. In the Legislative Conncil last night the •Hon. E. Ward made objectionable' reference , to another member, and the Premier called upon him for an apology. He withdrew tbe remark but declined to apologise, and a motion for his suspension waß then made and carried ; but Mr Ward refused to leave the Chamber, and he had to be removed bodily by the police. Perth, November 27. A sensational incident took place in tbe street to-day. A popular lady socialist, on the strength of an alleged insult at a public concert, induced a well-known man about town, by medium of an anonymous letter which professed love for him, to meet her in the street, when, in the presence of a large crowd, she severely chastised him with a cane. November 30. Two prisoners at Raebume were chained to a tree, and in revenge eet fire to the grass around them, with the reaalt that they were both severely burned before they could be released, and are now in a critical condition. Hobabt, November 25. Six men — M'Lusky, Bppinstall, Ford, M'Grath, Evan?, and Pike— left Maria Island in a boat on Saturday, and have not since been heard of. There is hardly any doubt the boat capsized and all were lost. November 28. The wives and families of some of the men drowned off Maria Island are utterly destitute, and public subscriptions have been opened. The Government have given a donation of £100/? and will also subsidise public subscriptions to tbe extent of pound for pound. Several of the victims were connected with the police force.