INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, August 11.

Otago Witness, Issue 2268, 19 August 1897, Page 17

INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, August 11.

The Government have decided to light the trains with gas. The complete installation will coßt L 20.000. Angnst 12. A burglary was committed at Hayes s Bicycle Depot, and eight machines valued at Ll3O stolen. August 13. The Government have withdrawn the Mining Bill in consequence of the Legislative Council insisting on its amendment with rolerence to employers' liability in the case of accidents, and retaining a royalty out of the proceeds of mining on private lands in lieu of proposal for compensation. August 14. Further soaking rain has practically assured the wheat crop. Sydnry, August 10. The death is announced of Dr Giant, aged 92. He was tho oldest Presbyterian divine in Australia, and was one of those who gave up his church during the Disruption in 1843. Cholera is raging in the Shasi district of China. Thousands are dying. The deaths are so numerous that the bodies are thrown in pits in layerß of 20 each row. Chinese pirates looted the British steamer Pegu and killed Captain Ross and several others aboard. The chief officer and 14 of the crew are in the hospital suffering from their wounds. The pirate? secured ] B,oooJol and a large quantity of valuable prop«si!.v. a st 1. In connection with the reptai.-1.j5 oi lue Presbyterian mission steamer Dayspring, the Presbyterian Church of Victoria having declined to contribute for the present year, the Dayspring Board has decided that it cannot incur further liabilities on account of Victorian missionaries, and has asked the Victorian Committee to make its own arrangements regarding freights and fares for missionaries in future. The annual report of the Railway Commissioners has been laid on the table of the Legislative Assembly. During the year the earnings were L 3,321,000 — an increase of L 211.000 on the preceding year. After paying working expenses and interest on capital there remains a surplus of L 37.600. This is the first surplus since tha commissioners were appointed. Last year there was a deficit amounting to L 109.000. The report, in referring to Mr Eddy, says the late commissioner had looked forward to the completion of this year, feeling sure that the financial result would demonstrate the wisdom of the system of administration brought into operation by the Railway Act. August 12. Mr Fairbairn, the representative of the co-operative wholesale societies of Eagland and Scotland, was welcomed by local representatives of the co-operative movement. He explained the system of English cooperation, and strongly urged the necessity of union and economy in working. In New Zealand the co-operative movement was very much in evidence, and he did not see why it should not be equally successful here. The Legislative Assembly adopted resolutions preparatory to the introduction of the Local Option and the Land and Income Tax Validating Bills. Lord Lamington, Governor of Queensland, opened the International Exhibition. Lord Hampden, Governor of New South Wales, deplored that Queensland was not represented at the Federal Convection. The people of the colonies had affirmed the desirability of federation, and the only question remaining was whether it could be adopted under such conditions as would prove acceptable to the whole of the contracting Scates. He denied that federation would spell separation from the mother country. On the contrary, it would tend to harmony of speech, thought, and action between the colonies and Great Britain. August 13. In connection with the Manly tragedy a verdict of guilty was returned against Lewi* for the murder of bis paramour, Catherine Smith. Of the reward offered in connection with Butler's arrest, Detective M'Hattie received L 6, Herbert and Charle3 Booth (sailors at the home, Newcastle) L 5 each. A young woman named Nellie Willis met a former sweetheart, named M'Fayden, in Main street, Auburn, and shot him in the neck with a revolver. The shot just grazed the main artery. She fired a second shot aa M'Fayden ran away, but missed. She then went to the house of a neighbour, and, on the approach of the police, shot herself in the temple. The girl subsequently died, bub M 'Fay den's wounds are not serious. Jealonßy is the cause of the deed. The Legislative Assembly, by 46 votes to 11, adopted a resolution in favour of extending the franchise to women. In the Legislative Assembly, the Taxation Validating Bill was read a first time. August 14. The girl Willis several times threatened to shoot M'Fayden, at whom she fired yesterday. Recently she followed him to the Northern district, and because he refused to have anything to do with her she threw herself into the river. The shooting was the outcome of rumours that hs intended to marry another woman. M'Fayden admitted at the inquest that he had seduced the girL '

Adelaide, August 11. In the Legislative Assembly the Common* wealth Bill amendments were carried giving power to dissolve either or both the Federal Chambers, and making adult suffrage th« baric of federal franchise. August IS. In the Legislative Assembly the Treasurer (the Hon. F. W. Holder) delivered his Budget speech. The revenue for the past year exceeded the efctimate by L 44.000, and the expenditure exceeded the amount voted by L 26.000 ; but the year ended with a, surplus of L 23.600. This is despite the worst wheat yield the colony has ever known. The railway revenue increased by L 34.000 compared with last year, while a saviDg of LIB.OOO in annual interest was made by the floating of the lait conversion loan. Borrowing this year will be contingont on the passing of new public works. Treasury bills will be consolidated in due course. He estimates the Burplua for the forthcoming year at L 5460. The main items o£ increased expenditure will be LSOOO for miniog -prospecting vote, and L6OOO for increases due w'oivjl servants. It has been found impossible ti» remove duties on the necessaries of life, but ttK^hicome tax exemption is raised from LI SO to L2OO. Brisbane, August 14. The Mining Commission's report makes a number of recommendations for the better ventilation of mines and for the safety of miners, and for giving greater security to the minera in regard to wages. It suggests a number of alterations in reference to mining leases and labour conditions after registration. Company directors are to ba mad« personally liable if they incur greater liability than that stipulated in the articles of association. It also recommends that a mining bureau be established in London, the establishment of technological museums on a small scale throughout the colony, and the registration of brokers. August 16. Sir Charles Lilley has suffered a relapse, and is in a very critical state. Pekth, August 10. Mr Taylor another Federal Convention doiegate, has resigned his seat. It is probable that Mr Shale will also resign. Albany, August 16. Sir George Turner, Premier of Victoria, arrived by the Orizaba in poor health. He was much affected by the heat in the Red Sea. Sir George will undergo an operation iv Melbourne. Hobaet, August 14. The Legislative Oouncil struck out tha clause in tha Commonwealth Bill providing that the senators shall be chosen by the people. Noumea, August 16. A fearful accident occurred to-day. A number of artillery officers and men went; out in two boats in a small bay, two miles from the town, for the purpose of destroying several bombs loaded with melinite. During the operation of fixing an electric current the bomb exploded and blew up a boat containicg nine men. The artillery officers and a kanaka were literally blown to atoms, and the remaining five men were badly injured. A kanaka in the second boat was also injured. The other boat rescued the wounded.

No part of Greece ia 40 miles from the sea or 10 miles from fchs hills. We understand ihab Mr W. J. Tonkin, of Tonkin and Co., shippers of rabbits and hares, who went Home last year in the interests of the business, is taking another trip to England, and leaves with Mrs Tonkin by tha Mararoa on Monday.