INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, May 24.

Sir Gr. Turner has instructed the Agentgeneral to back up the Queensland Government's request to Mr Chamberlain to ask the Queen to withhold her assent to the New Guinea's Land Syndicate Ordinance. Ifc is suggested that New South Wales and Westralia should take similar step 3. / Eich gold formation ,has been struck near Warragul 100 ft wide. An assay gave 18770z to the ton.

Mrs King, the second victim of the Rookwood tragedy, died to-day after prolonged suffering. A double murder and suicide is reported from the Township of Forster. A half-casts named Fields murdered his wife and child with a tomahawk, and also seriously wounded a three-months-old infant. He then committed suicide by cntting his throat. The motive is alleged to be jealousy. Thurlow, a passenger by the Orizaba, who was attacked by smallpox, is dead.

May 27. Parliament meefcn for the despatch of business on Jane 21.

May 28.

The City Counoil'a Special Ooramifctee, after an exhaustive inquiry, hare recommended the dismissal of a number of officials and a sweeping reduction , in salaries and management.

May 30. Good payable alluvial gold has baen discovered at Goobang, a crook near Parkes. A considerable rash has set in. Brisbane, May 25. Government have requested tha Imperial Secretary of State to withhold consent to the New Guinea Syndicate's lease until the opinion of «ie colonies interested has been obtained.

May 26.

May 29. A Japanese warship arrived at the mouth of tbe river yesterday without previously being sighted off the coast. Perth, May 24. The tracks of the perpetrators <)£ the sticking-up outrage were lost in the vicinity of a Perth suburb, where early yesterday morning the police saw three men standiag round the verandah of a hotel. They attempted to arrest the men, who bolted. The police gave chase, and one turned and fired ■ a revolver, narrowly missing a constable. The desperadoes, who managed to escape, are believed to be identical with the men who etuck up Ford. May 26. The Central Horse Bazaar has been destroyed by fire. Twenty-seven horses were burned to death. The damage is estimated at LBOOO. The report of the Mines Commission urges the Government to take steps to protect" companies from tbe imposition of further royalties) in respect to the M'Arthur-Forrest cyanide patents. The report condemns tbe system of dnai titles for alluvial leases, and recommends, inter alia, the appointment of mining boards, the reduction of miners' rights to 5s per annum, the extension of public batteries, and suggests tbe passing of a nnw act instead of amending the present Mining Act. May 28. " Burglars broke into the strong room of the Londonderry mine and secured LSOO worth of gold specimens. '