INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2284, 9 December 1897, Page 17

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melboubne, November 30.

Latest reports as to the wheat crop are

more favourable. The cooler weather of the • last few days has been conducive to the grain filling. Albert Beaver, late manager of Falk and

Co., jewellery importers, was charged in

court with the laroeny of L 586, the money of the firm, and remanded. The alleged defalcations amount to L9OOO.

December 1.

As the outcome of the fire tbe Legislative Assembly have passed a bill through all •teges giving the city building eoxveyor comp-

rehensive, powers to .remove" any buildings that are considered dangerous, or likely to become dangerous, owing to the fire or other causes.

It has been ascertained that a man named George Goodwin Crouch Smith, supposed to be the man who shot the cashier of the bank at Capetown, left Melbourne for the Cape in July last. He insured his life for LIOOO, and made a will before leaving. Hia wife resides here.

December 2.

The heat is intense in tbe city, the thermometer registering 102deg in the shade.

A cheque for L 89.500 was paid into the Treasury as probate doty in the estate of the late Mr T. B. Payne. This is the largest probate duty ever paid in Victoria. In connection with the frauds alleged to have been perpetrated by means of; drawbacks, the Government have decided to institute a charge of conspiracy againgt certain importers and customs official?.

December 3. Sir Anthony Brownlees, chancellor of the ■noiversity and a. very old colonist.

|JDr Anthony Colling Brownlee3 arrived in Victoria in 1852, and was founder of the medical school iv connection with the Melbourne University. He was vice-chancellor of the university for 29 years, a^dwas elected chancellor in 1887.] Syjdhey, November 30.

Uader an order of the Inquiry Court two leading medical gentlemen have examined Cresawell, who is alleged to be the real Sir Roger Tichborne. What the result of the examination has been has not been disclosed! The report has been forwarded to tbe judge infquity. News from the Islands states thab two months ago three canoes, containing 18 natives and Brother Barnard (of the Sacred Heart Mission), started from Taputeaneau, in the Gilbert group, on a visit to a neighbouring island. They have nob since been heard of, and it is believed that all perished. Stormy weather was prevalent at the time. * December 1.

In consequence of sensational statements, Judge Murray was appointed some months ago as a Royal Commission to inquire into the cause of accidents at the Broken Hill mines. His report chiefly attributes tbe accidents to tbe incompetency of men representing themselves as miners but having no real knowledge of tbe work. He says that incompetency of mine officers is a non-existent factor, he completely exonerates the mine owners from blame. He suggests a number of important amendments in the mining regulations.

The warship Rapid has sailed for E .gl*nd. The Spanish Oodsul, from facts under his notice and the local knowledge displayed, is inclined to believe that the so-called Spanish swindle is being perpetrated by Englishmen.-

December 4.

Mr "Wfag^e, the meteorologist, and a-party who left to eEtabliah a high-pressure observatory at Mount Kosciusko are experiencing a rough time, being detained half-way up the mountain by a heavy snowstorm. - It is .understood that the report of the medical gentlemen who examined Qresswell is unfavourable to establishing his identity as Sir EogerTichborae. .The chief characteristic marks are waritine.

BitiSBANE, December i

The Exc cative Council have commuted the death eentenpe passed on Wherrill for the murder of his -wife at Brisbane to 20 years' imprisonment.

December 6

The Government agent at Marnbare, New Guinea, has discovered a valuable goldfield of considerable extent four days' maroh from Tomato camp. He states that he obtained gold from the wathes in every gully on the field. A. rush is deprecated untij fuller information, more especially as the Marnbare country is flooded, there only being four acres of dry land at the camp. Newsfrom German New Guinea shows that the murderers of the Governor . and police cut the bodies up into small pieces. Hobart, November 30.

Ten days ago a man and his three sons and a nepliew named Grieves started on a prospecting tour in Arthur Range. They were caught in a snowstorm. One son and tbe nephew perished from cold, and the others escaped after teirible sufferings.

December 4.

The body of "William Small was found in a waterhole at Fingal. The head was battered. At the inquest a verdict* of "Murder" was returned against John-Beckett, Small's mate, and he has been arrested in connection -with the crime.

December 6.

The lighthouse-keeper at tbe Leven Islands reports taking charge of the ketch Esther with only a lad on board. The master' and mate were lost overboard.