INTERCOLONIAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 21

INTERCOLONIAL

Melbourne, Maj 31.

The whole of the detective force era engaged inquiring into the Fitzroy outrage, but so far no clue has been' obtained. A bag containing 71b of blasting powdar found in a street in Fitzroy is believed to belong to the perpetrator of Saturday's outrage.

With a view to securing uniformity in trading conditions, it has been decided to amalgamate the salt business carried on in Australia and New Zealand by Henry Berry and Co. and the Castle Salt Company with the Sonth Australian salt companies under the style of the Salt Co-operative Company. The owner* of the several interests take staarei instead of cash.

The reduction of the cable charges between Europe and Australia is likely to result from the negotiations set afoot since the Hobart Conference. It is understood the tariff will be 4s per word, An official acnoßnoeraaat will be made in a few days,

June 2. Tbe salt amalgamation will not include the New Zealand or English busiuess.

vane o. Sir G. Tamer, the Premier, anticipates that the year will close with L 30.000 in excess of his estimates.

Sydney, May 31. A boat supposed to belong to the wrecked barque Atcama was found bottom up off the coast. It is believed to be the boat which the mate had charge of, and which contained six men.

Samoan news' states that the warships Ringdove and Porpoise left Suva direct for Apia on May 19 in connection with tbo Native trouble. The rebel Government are

still inactive, amusing themselves admiring their new flag, but indications of trouble are

brewing. The barque Ellen, for whose safety fears were entertained, has arrived at Newcastle, 37 days out, from tbe Bluff. The steanw Mount KembSa has arrived from New Guinea, with a fivsmbsr of her crew prostrated by malarial fsver. Captain Agutter died while being brought ashore. June 1. Vanklnscofct. f.hf- r.urvivißg seaman of the wrecked stenmei Merkffwortb, tvas succumbed to the iesalt-2 of exposure and hunger.

June 2. Two scientific expeditions — one under the auspices of the, Royal Geographical Societies

of Australasia and London procaeds to F ana-

fata, the other on behalf of Professor Agassiz (of Harvard College) and Professor David (of Sydney University) goes to Fijileft by the steamer Oralau to continue coral boring operations.

June 3. In the parliamentary by-election fox Fiizroy division. Mr John Norton was elected.

June 5. At the Narrabri by-election Mr Boss, the Labour candidate, was elected. Brisbane. May 30. In reference to the proposed Sagar Conference in London, the A gent- general expresses the opinion that neither countervailing duties nor bounties will be adopted by the Imperial Government, bat he is strongly in favour of urging on bountygiving countries the abandonment of that policy.

June 1. Mr Byrnes, the Premier, speaking at Rockhampton, said that Queensland really had not such control over New Guinea as she should possess. If the Imperial Government want to " rua " New Guinea on their own account they could do so, but if Australia was to control it the Imperial authorities must not interfere too much. Neither he nor the Government were parties to the New Guinea land grab. If he had any power to stop the English syndicate's operations, they would be at once stopped.