INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, December 21.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 17

INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, December 21.

The election oE the City Council will be the first at which women will vote. A meeting of women decided not to recommend any particular candidate, but to uige the electors to make their own choice.

Sir John Madden succeeds the late Sir Anthony Brownle3s as Chancellor of tbe University.

December 23.

Several nuggets (three of which weighed 30oz, 50,55, and 67-- z respectively) have been found at Tarcagollu. A rush has taken -place.

December 24

The Government are sending Home" Mr Lidgey, one of the assistant geologists, to supply intending investors with up-to-date information as to the colony's mineral resources without booming the mining interest.

December 27.

Elaborate preparations are being made by the Government for the entertainment of the federal delegates.

The conference of Premiers has been postponed until towards the end of February, owing to the inability of Sir John Forrest to visib Melbourne. As Mr Seddon is also not able to be present the decision arrived by the Premiers with regard to the admission of Asiatics to the colonies, and on other questions of general interest to Australasia, will be communicated to him with a view to united action being taken.

A large balloon which was beiDg used for an ascent afc the exhibition to-day escap?d and collapsed over Hobson'a Bay. The balloon Oust I.V.ICQ. It contained' 10,000 ft of gas when it gor, loose.

A man named Gcegs.ii has been arrested on 3. charge of innrdariog his father at Clifton H"U. The murder is supposed ro be the result ol a qinrrel.

Sybne*. December 21

News is received from India announcing the death of the Rev. El win Lewis, who toured the colonies in connection with the centenary of the London Missionary Society.

Admiral Bridge was entertained at a farewell banquet by the citizsns. Replying to the toasc of his health, the admiral made reference to the docking and other facilities of Sydney, and said that ha for one would regret to see anything like a naval establishment at Garden Inland or anywhere else when the ships could have their wants so efficiently attended to by private firms.

Diipct telephonic communication has been established between Sydney and Newcastle.

The steamers Lubra and Celtic King collided in Newcastle Harbour. The Lubra'e stem was bent -and several plate 3 buckled. The damage is estimated at L6OO. The Celtic King was completing her cargo of wool and frozen meat for London. She had a plate cut through jusb above the water line and several buckled. The damage is L2OOO. She comes to Sydney to be docked and repaired.

News from the Islands states that the Solomon Islanders continue to display much hostility to traders. The schooner Eclipse was loading at Vella Lavella when a native tomahawked, stabbed, and severely injured Captain Pratt, who shot the attacker, , A' large number of hostile native canoes were driven off by the use of firearms. December 23.

The Government, through the Agentgeneral, accepfed the tenders of the Welsh Company for 15,000 tons of steel rails at L 4 16 s I£<3 per ton, delivered.

Referring to the statement of Mr J. Hutcbeson made in the New Z3aland Parliament, Mr Greyson denies the fihorthandednefs of the Aorangi's crew. She carries a full complement, consisting of 36 hands in the engine room and stokehole, and has a larger crew than any other steamer in the Pacific trade.

December 24.

Two little girls named Crouch and a nursegirl named Wilson were drowned in a waterhole at Orange. It is supposed that one of the children fell in and that the others perished in attempting a rescue.

The town is crowded with visitors. Tradesmen state that the Christmas business is brisker than for several years past.

The Marine Board suspended Captain Grahl's certificate for six months and James's for three months from the date of tbe wreck of the Fitzroy. The board complimented Captain Grahl on his bravery and efforts for the safety of the passengers after the vessel grounded.

December 23

The criminal libel suit brought against Mr J. Norton, editor of Truth, and Mr George Lonsdale, the publisher thereof, has been tried at Armidale. They are charged with making accusations against the Minister for Lands (ohe Hon. J. H. Carrnthers) in connection with certain land transactions. A sensational phase has been given to the case by one of Norton's witnesses (a woman) making allegations of immorality against Mr Carrnthers. The judge prohibited the publication of the evidence till after both sides had been heard*

December 27.

A narrow escape from a terrible disaster occurred at Circular quay to one of the crowded excursion boats. tho Princess, with 300 on board, was leaving she was cut down by a North Shore ferry steamer. Fortunately the Princess was no distance from the wharf. The ferry steamer also got alongside her, and the passengers scampered over the ferry boat and reached the wharf. The Princess sank within 10 minutes.

Adelaide, December 23

Mr T. Playford, Agent-general, returns to tha colony in April. The Minister for Education (Dr Cockburn) will probably succeed him.

Dacembtr 24,

At a meeting of tho Methodist Federal Council it was resolved that Methodist union should take place in April.

Brisbane, December 21

The small steamer Mystery, while on a fishing excursion, capsizad on the bar at Southport. The engineer, who was below when she turned over, reached thq surface afcer a minute and a-half. With the exception of a man named Seymour, who was drowned, the crew and passengers got ashore.

A peculiar fatnl accident happened on the Ounnamulla railway. A number of navvies were sheltering beneath some trucks, when a high wind started. The trucks ran over and killed one man, besides seriously injuring two others.

Perth, December 21.

The Legislative Assembly baa voted an annuity of LI SO to Lady Broome, to "supplement the annuity of LIOO recently granted by the Imperial Government.

December 22.

Anderson, found guilty of manslaughter in connection with flogging natives to death at Ben Dhu, was sentenced to imprisonment for life.

December 23

"It is" rfimoured that a iich strike of .gold has taken place in the winze of 'the Great, Boulder mine 60ft below 1 he 200 ft level,

Perth, December 25

A boy named Martin, 'l7 yearn of age, has been sentenced to death for poisoning his sister. He administered arsenic in a cordial to several persons, and the sister died from the effects of the poisoned drink. His motiva was jealousy.