INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, February 20.

j Parliament has been prorogued. The Lieutenant-Governor, Sir J. Madden, in a patriotic speech, said the moral effect of the colonies' heip was to bind indissolubly to- ( gether England and her great dependencies. The legislation promised for next session includes the re-introduction of the Old-age 'Pensions Bill. February 21. The wool sales have been resumed. Merinos and fine crossbreds declined 5 per cent, compared with prices obtained a month ago. Other sorts remain unchanged. "William Robert Jones has been sentenced to death for murdering a child of eight years of age named Rita Jones at Broadford. The child's body, partly charred, was found on December 28 last in a bag, the murderer having evidently attempted to destroy the evidence of his crime by trying to burn the body. February 22. The Premier, replying to Canada's protest re the Cape cable, states that Victoria is only anxious to ensure proper competitive conditions, but not to depart in any respect from the arrangements previously j entered into with regard to the Pacific cable.

February 23. I A fire gutted the two top floors of Messrs Brooks, M'Glashan, and M'Harz's large soft goods warehouse in Flinders lane. The damage (largely by water) is estimated at over £20,000. The insurances on the buildings- of Messrs Brooks, M'Glashan, and M'Harz's warehouse, the two top storeys of which were gutted by fire, include £3000 in the Isew Zealand Insurance Company. February 24. | A board of experts have been appointed to inquire into the depreciation of Victorian butter on the London market. { Ex-Constable Bracen, prominently identi- j fied in the suppression of the Kelly gang of bushrangers, has shoe himself fatally. With a view to fostering rifle shooting, Mr Syme, of the Age newspaper, has offered £100 a year for five years to be ex-, pendeel in prizes for the best shots. It is hoped that this will form the nucleus of a larger fund for the same object. j SYDNEY, February 20. i The Chamber of Commerce holds a special meetiag at an early date to discuss the Pacific cable question. j The Cresswell Commission examined Cresswell, who, it is alleged, is the real Sir Roger Tichborne. In reply to questions, he said his name was William Cresswell. He came out in the ship Maid of Judah, in 1854, in charge of cattle. Further - questioned, he said he did not want to tell his business. February 21. Mr Warren interviewed Mr Lyne with reference to the Eastern Extension Company's Cape cable proposals. He interviews the Postmaster-general to-morrow. Mr Lyne states that Victoria agreed to the suggestions that it was necessary to^ obtain an alteration of the proposals to provide against other private companies that may desire to lay a cable being unduly handicapped. The Canadian Government have cabled to Mr Lyne strongly protesting against the Cape cable as injurious to the Pacific scheme. At the inquest touching the death of a lad named M'Farlane, who was found dead with his head battered in by a fence rail, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the lad Murphy, who was M'Farlane's companion. Murphy, it will be re- , membered, confessed on the 13th inst. that he had killed his companion in a quarrel _ which arose over the stealing of some melons. February 22. Aft£r long negotiations, an agreement has been signed between the Newcastle coal owners (excepting the A. A. and Newcastle Companies) and the colliery employees, the federation fixing the hewing rate at 3s 2d per ton when the selling price is Bs, the rate to rise or fall one penny for every ( threepence rise or fall in the price. The federation seeks another conference with the employers to try and induce them to raise the selling price. _ j

raise the selling price. February 23. The Premier states that he understands the outcome of the conference with Mr , Warren, who meets the Postmaster-general j again to-day, will be that the Government will accept the Eastern Extension Company's prosposals for the Cape cable. Mr Lyne, the Premier, says he quite agrees with the position taken up by Mr Crick with regard to the Cape cable. HeJ is only waiting for a settlement of a few ' details with Mr Warren before cabling Home the acceptance of the' Eastern Extension Company's proposals. So far as New South Wales is concerned, the matter is settled. February 26. The Marine Board inquiry into the recent stranding of the steamer Airlie found that it was due to an error of judgment on the part of .Captain Koch in estimating distances, and reprimanded him. ADELAIDE, February 20. The doctor who attended M'Cami, th«s supposed bubonic plague .patient, has reported to the Board of Health that M'Cann h suffering from typhoid fever, with enlarged glands. This bears out the experiments made at the University laboratory.

BRISBANE, February 24.

The Premier is forwarding Mr Chamberlain a strongly-worded protest against the Cape' cable on the ground that it will prejudice the Pacific scheme. He has also communicated with New Zealand and Canada, and has asked that their Agentsgeneral communicate with the Board of Advice^on the subject. The Premier states that as soon as matters are settled Queensland will float in London the loan recently authorised by Parliament.