INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, February 15.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 17

INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, February 15.

A man named M'Donald, a woodcutter, was found in hia tent., near Ararat, shot in the head. There are indications that the shot was fired at a few yards distance from behind whilst the man was asleep. • February 17. The Gippsland municipalities have decided to ask the Government for an immediate grant of L 50.000 to repair the damage to roads and bridges caused by the bush fires, February 19. At the Victorian Rifle Association meeting Saker, of. tha Melbourne Rifle Club, for the second time won the Queen's Prize, beating Fargher by 8 points. Sydney, February 17. The coal produced in the colony last year totalled 4,383,000 tons. The Industry has arrived safely. During the cyclone moat of her ligging carried away, and the chief officer was struck by the gear and knocked overboard off the topsail yard and droraned. Trie Postmaster-general has made a statement with reference to the complaints regarding the delay on the South Australian overland line from Port Darwin. He is of opinion that it will be necessary for the Australasian colonies to take decisive action to obtain an alternativs route, either by the Pacific or the Capo. Thß latter would still have the same objection as the present route, because a long land line would be required from Perth. The Pacific cable would meet the case better as it would bring the connection right to their door without land lines, la round figures, two millions would

lay down a c*ble capable of transmitting 18 words per minute. February 18. The storm wrecked Mr Wragge's new observatory at Mount Kosciusko and caused the scientists great privations. The Government have decided to grant a sum for reerection, in consideration of the importance of the observations. John Norton, proprietor and editor of Truth, the Sunday newspaper, who was before the public lately as the defendant in a criminal suit for libelling the Hon. Mr Carruthere, the Minister for Lands, wab charged to-day with indecent assault. His cross-examination of the witnesses tended to show that the charge was instigated by political motives. February 19. Holmes, a tight-rope walker, was found guilty of wounding his wife with ioreni to murder, with a strong recommendation to mercy. The death sentence waa recorded. February 20. On the arrival of the Wakabipu yesterday from Wellington a man named Doherty was arrested on a charge of child desertion in New Zealand, He was remanded for a week. February 21. The jury disagreed in the ca«e of Margaxet North, charged with the naurder of a yoacg man named Guest. North was remandod on bail, Tne death is announced of Mr John Whitton, ex engineer-in-cbief of railways. Adelaide, February 17. Madame Albaai arrived by the Oraba. Brisbane, Febmary 21. Archer, a prisoner at St. Helena Penitentiary, stabbed an attendant named Dodd, who died in the hospital. Perth, February 19. The Albany mail train ran over a cow, Ths train was derailed. Th& fireman (named Hartfa) waa killed and the engineer iujared. Tde passengers wbre shaken, but wera not hurt.