INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, March 15.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 17

INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, March 15.

The question is, what chance has the Federal Bill of being accspted when it goes to the people in May. Mr Barton believes that when the New South Wales electors become familiar with the measure they will unquestionably vote for it. The Victorian delegates are greatly divided. Mr Kingston will recommend the Constitution to the people of his colony. Sir J. Forrest is reticent. Sir Edward Braddon is not enthusiastic, but as the convention on the last day accepted his proposal for a guarantee to States, he thinks that he will have no difficulty in showing the Tasmanians that the bill in on the whole a reasonable one. Match 16. A sensational accident cccurred in a mine at Bendigo. The cage was being lowered to the 3000 ft level, when the gripp>srs caught the wood at 1100 ft, and about 400 ft of slack wire rope poured on top of the suspended cage, almost strangling the occupants, who were for three hours in a perilous position before beiDg released. Tho Premier (Sir George Turner) successfully underwent a surgical operation yesterday, and is progressing favourably. . March 17. At the inquiry into the origin of the recent disastrous fire in this city a witness stated that be saw a gentleman leave the rear of Craig and Williamson's premises in a hurry at 10 o'clock on the night of the fire. The firm are unable to throw any light on this statement. Sydney, March 15. The Executive has commuted the death sentence passed on Frank Holme?, the tightrope walkar, for attempting to murder his wife, to 12 months' imprisonment with permission to petition for tickets of leave after three months. March 16. The authorities have received si cable announcing the arrest of Elliot and Lse, the atmospheric gas promoters, on the arrival of the Moana at 'Frisco. Tha British Consul and American authorities, however, agreed that the offscca with which they are charged waß not one for which the men could be extradited, and they were subsequently released. Cusack, the Rookwood murderer, was found dead this morning in a brickyard at Parramatta. He had committed suicide by shooting. March 19. Among the passengers by the Tarawera is Captain Brand, brother of the Governor, en route for England. Thß hurricane which waa so disastrously felt in New Caledonia also wrought great damage at the New Hebrides. Crops were destroyed, Dr Lamb's Medical Mission suffered considerable damage, and the mission launch Ethel was' driven ashore and destroyed, March 12. Four hundred cases of Tahiti oranges per Mararoa have been condemned by the authorities on account cf mussel £ cale. Adelaide, March 15. A boat capsized near the Murray bridge and two men named Rafferty and Hill were drowned. March 17, Colonel Horatio Williams, who served in the New Zealand Maori war, is dead. March 21. On the arrival of the Australia from Albany a Lascar wa3 found to be Buffering from smallpox, and tha vessel was quarantined. Brisbane, March 20. The death is announced of Sir Arthur Palmer, Lieutenant-governor. [Colonel the Hon. Sir A. 11. Palmer was born at Armagh, Ireland, in ISI9, and emigrated to New South Wales in 1838. For 23 years he was engaged in station life. In 186(5 ha entered the Queensland Legislative Assembly, and in the following year became Colonial Secretary. In 1870 he formed an Administraiion of his own, but he resigned in 1874. From January, 1879, to December, 1881, he held office in the first M'llwraith Administration, but at the latter date became President of the Legislative Council. On several occasions he administered the Government of Queensland in. the absence of the Governor.] Perth, March 15. A sensational fin<3 is reported 20 miles

from Marble Bar. Two prospectors oigcovered a 3ft reef thickly encrusted witb> coarse gold, which also runs right through the stone. From 201b of surface stone 2Oo< of gold was taken. Hobart, March 18. The death of Sir William Lambert Dobsoa has cccurred from typhoid. [The deceased gentleman wa3 born in 1833 ; wa» called to the English Bar in 1856, and to th» Trtsmanian Bar in 1857 ; was appointed puips judge in 1870, and Chief Justice on tbe retirement of Sir Francis Smith in 1885 ] March 21. Mr Chamberlain has cabled his regret aft Sir W. L. Dobson's death. Kalgooelie, March 17. At the 200 ft level of the Australian Leaca the winzd reached a vein of telluride 2 fib thick and immensely rich. The whole bottom of the winze is telluride, pieces of which weighing lewt contain 45 per cent, of gold.