INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2318, 4 August 1898, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL.

Mkmjottkxk, July 26. The Government have appointed ai executive committee to undertake ".^e iepre- j sentation of this colony at the Greater •' Britain and Paris Exhibitions. The ex- j i hibits will be chiefly of a private character. July 27. In the Legislative Assembly last night Sir George Turner delivered " the Budget 1 .speech. He estimated that the yciir would ' end with a surplus of £34,000, and said | that if he had not had to pay off £250,000 i worth of bonds the surplus would have actually been £285,000. He foreshadowed, a gradual reduction of the income tax. He proposed to ask for power to consolidate and convert the public debt into a single ' stock. He outlined a public works programme involving an expenditure of three millions and three-quarters, extended over | three years. He thought that the money j could be obtained cheaply in London, but he did not intend to go there if he could j help it. He proposed to obtain half a million by means of Government stock. In conclusion, he said he believed that the colony had seen her daikest days, and was now on the h'<'h rood to prosperity. July 23. The Budget Speech shows that the interest paid on railway loans for the past ' year was £1,449,000, leaving a loss of £402,000 on working, allowing for the repayment of a quarter of a million worth of bonds. Theie would have been a surplus of £427,000 but for this loss. The estimated surplus, £34,000, for the incoming year allowed for a loss of £534,000 on railWyB< July 31. Sir George Turner, the Premier, states that he does not intend to float a loan in London until early in January, when he will place a million on the market. This, ] with a quarter of a million which he in- | tends to rais-c locally .shortly, will be used ' for reproductive works. Early next year he will have to place a million and a-half on the London market for the purpose of meeting the 4 per cent, debentures which fall due in July, for which 3 per cent, stock is to be substituted. This, he says, means a saving of £15,000 per year in interest. While a man named O'Shannessy was ' washing nitro- glycerine at the Australian

Explosive Company's works, Braybro&k, Ilia nitro-glyeerine exploded, blowing the man to j pieces. Two buiJdings were wrecked. J _ Sydney, July 26/ I The election campaign which concluded to-night was pre-eminently the most exciting and bitter fought in New South \Valas. The whole interest centres round (he contest for the King division between Mr Reid and ,Mr Barton. Both candidates addressed ! huge midday gathering in the heart of the ' city to-day. The result is expected to bo , very close. The wagering is in favour of the Premier. The result of the election, even , if the Government win, it is predicted will for ing back a formidable opposition on tLe f Federalists' side. i July 27. I The railway revenue for the past quarter was the largest on record, having increased £39,000 compared with the last corresponding quarter. July 29. Sarah Harris, alias Jones, has been arrested on a charge of child desertion at Wellington, and has been remanded on bail. At the half-yearly meeting of the Joint Stock Bank the report, which was adtptecl. showed the divisible profits to be £5470, . which were carried forward. Mr Jago Smith and Sir Joseph Abbott were le-elected directors. Two prisoners escaped from the Coolamon ■ lock-up, using their bedding to burn the door. August i. In order to prevent delay in bringing the Aliens Immigration Restriction Act i into operation, Mr Reid, the Premier, has | urged the Governor to obtain the Queen's assent by cable. Go'nsent was given to this umrmal course, and the Royal assent obtained in the manner suggested. Newcastle, July 27. The Marine Board inquiry into the loss of the barquentine Adelaide, which bailed ior j New Zealand on May 12, resulted in the | decision that there was no evidence to ; c- tj count for the loss, and that the vessJ «as fully maimed and seaworthy. Newcastle, July 29. The Marine Board have found that the waeck of the Wendouree was due to the wilful act of the master (Captain Roberts) in iot guarding against the set of the tide, and ' have cited him to show why his pilotage e>emptio'i certificate should not be suspended, j Captain Roberts, of the steamer Wendouree, had his exemption certificate canj celled, with permission to be re-examined in six months. Five men were overcome by carbonic gas in Block XII Mine, Broken Hill. Three men | named Kelly, Alberlon, and another de- ! scended at great risk and gallantly rescued their comrades, who are now recovering. Adelaide, July 29. The revenue for the year decreased by £61.000 compared with the previous jenr. The deficit for the year is £32,000. July 30. In the Assembly the Premier staled, with reference to Mr Reid's request, that the i Conference of Premiers would probably a^k | the House to affirm the Ministerial reply tint I the Government would consider fedei.w mntt«s. The wife of a suburban milkman ranied ; Simmons poured a large quantity of kerosene over Georgina Woodling (who was aefc- ' ing as Simmons's housekeeper), and then set, the stuff on fire. The victim was fearfully burned, and died in terrible agony. Jealoi,sy is supposed to be, the cause. Mrs Simmons , Ins been arrested. She has been on more than one occasion confined to a lunatic asy- , lum, and has only ocmpionally lived with her husband. August 1. Al the inquest on the woman Woorllmp; | a verdict of wilful murder was returned i against Mrs Simmons. The latter burned the other woman because of her relations j with her husband, who admitted being the father of Woodling' s child. "Bktsbaxk, July 26. Parliament will be opened to-morrow. The Speech will announce that when NowSouth Wales has decided on a Federal policy the Queensland Government will consider the desirability of submitting the question ] to the people of this colony. July 2 7 . A large and influential meeting decided to form a Queensland Federation League. July 28. Replying to a nuestion in the Legislative Assembly, the Premier stated that the Queensland National Bank prosecutions would probably be proceeded with next month. Perth, July 30. The no-confidence motion moved by Ml* Leake was rejected without division. i Three drovers, who were lost some time I aero, have been found dead, having died of ! thirst near Peak Hill. Warning. — Notice is hereby given that I intend making; it warm for all persons taking Woods's Great Peppermint Cure this winter — so warm that it will not allow any cold to coma in, and if a cold is there it will soon drive it out. Coughs and colds will soon be a thing of the past if people keep a bottle of Woods' a Groat Peppermint Cure always in the house,