INTERCOLONIAL. MELBOURNE, April 12.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 16

INTERCOLONIAL. MELBOURNE, April 12.

The Full Court allowed an appeal from the decision of Justice Holroyd, who refused an amendment of the cyanide specification. An appeal to the Privy Council is regarded as inevitable. April 13. Archdeacon Stretch is dead; aged 82 years. Alexander Pollock, one of the Permanent Artillery gunners at Queensclilf, -was found guilty. of the manslaughter of his comrade, Gunner Briner, and sentenced to 10 years' penal servitude. [Just before the men in the Queensc-liff barracks retired to rest Pollock, who had been, ordered to put away his carbine, turned to his comrades and inquired whether any of them dared him to shoot. Gunner Brinei made a jocular reinnrk, " That is' always your bluff/ r when Pollock pointed tho weapon at him, and, pulling the trigger, phnt Briner through the iunga, tho wound resulting fatally two days later. The weapon was not suxjposed to be loaded.] April 17. The Premier, Sir G. Turner, says that the increased British taxation will practically close the English market to colonial wines. He is consulting with the Premiers of the other colonies, and says that it wili depend upon the result of the protest to the Agent-general by those interested in the wine trade whether the colonies concerned will take reciprocal action upon the items of the Imperial Budget affecting Australia. Alice Jephson, accused of the murder of her little son, has been sent to a lunatio asylum. SYDNEY, April 10. General Booth's birthday was the subject of great rejoicings in the Salvationist ranks. April 12. The Tyser Company have received news of the death of Captain Stevenson, formerly commander of the Star of Victoria. The Ministry entertained General Booth at luncheon. April 13. As a result of the drought it is anticipated the supply of fat cattle will be short for the next three months. April I*. It is rumoured that the Council will in* hist on a three months' interval prior to the federal referendum, but will give wajj on the other amendments. Mr Best, a Victorian Minister, and Mi* Trenwith, leader of the Labour party in the Assembly, have arrived here, en route for 1 New Zealand. They will 'study the subject of closer settlement on the land as well as labour questions.

April 17. . Mr Best, a Victorian Minister, and Mr Trenwith, leader of the Victorian Labour •party, were passengers for New Zealand by the Mokoia, which sailed to-day. The New Zealand polo team played a combined four of Sydney and Camden players. The visitors won by six goals to , one. Mr Witheford, of Auckland, has received a communication ■ from the admiral congratulating him upon the result of his labours in obtaining, the equipment of the Calliope dock at Auckland. There is a storm in the military teacup Colonel Neild, a volunteer officer and M.L.A., criticising military matters Sn the press. Mr Neild has been placed under arrest. He asserts the right that as a member of Parliament he is privileged ho make such criticisms just as if he were ■within the walls of Parliament. The commandant considers the breach of discipline Bo serious that he has sent the papers to the Governor as Commander-in-chief to deal with. PERTH, April 15. ,' *Fohn Alexander Fox has been acquitted <Sn the charge of murdering his wife at Clarempnt. Tho woman was found in the bush a short distance from her residence TFith her head, split open. The husband on' his return home reported the tragedy, but on the discovery in the house of an axe and some incriminating clothing he was arrested for the crime himself. LAUNCESTON, April 12. .. While unloading, a log struck Mr MDougall, second mate of the brig Stanley, a "well-known New Zealand trader, killing him. His sister resides at Invercargill.