INTERCOLONIAL. MELBOURNE, April 24.

Otago Witness, Issue 2409, 3 May 1900, Page 18

INTERCOLONIAL. MELBOURNE, April 24.

The Postmaster-general has requested a conference with Mr- Crick this week to discuss the Cape, cable 1 understanding that ' -has been arrived, at with the Eastern Ex1 tension Company — viz., that provided the G'ape,:cable Agreement Js not- signed by aliI the colonies, by Mqn'day Ithei present /rates ' i shall remain ' in force " until the colonies finally accept or reject their proposal ; 'But . should the agreement be signed by Monday the reduced rates will come into force one month from to-day. April 26. The evidence of some of the crew at the Glenelg inquiry tended to show that the vessel was not in a very seaworthy condition. One of the witnesses said some of the crew slept in their clothes in the event ! of emergencies. • ■- April 27. In connection with the see of Ballarat, which Bishop Thornton is about to vacate, the names of Bishop Julius r and Bishop Stretch and the newly-appointed Dean of Newcastle are freely mentioned. '_ „-"• April 30. , The new regulations f orV the cyanide potent rights provide for the "payment of a Crown royalty of 2£ per cent, ori all gold and silver won by the process. SYDNEY, April 24. Schnahel has been sentenced to death for the mur3er of His- wife -near Parkes. ' - ' ■ ' - April 27. . A deputation of Labour members asked "the -Premier ,to frame*"a. compulsory Arbitration and Conciliation Bill on the lines .-of the New t Zealand act, and also asked for a bill' granting women's suffrage. 'Mr Lyne, in reply, said he . believed' the Attqrneygeneral was drafting an .Arbitration- Bill on the lines of the New Zealand statute, and, he would consult his colleagues with reference to the question of women's franchise. "^ • ' April 30. ' Mr Crick (Postmaster-general) goes to Melbourne to-morrow, to consult Mr W,att>~ Postmaster-general in the Victorian. 1 Government, re the^.Carj.e ' cable. "'• ,At a, meeting b| the Colonial Sugar, Company, .the >. profits. -for.,;the half-year were shown to be £89,408,' and "a" dividend- at the-rate of 10 per cent, per annum was declared. The- sum of £91,600, including the balance from the previous half year, was carried forward.- The chairman stated that a large crop was unexpected in Queensland for. the present season owing to unfavourable weather, but it would- exceed the past season's. The Fiji season- had been favourable. }, ADELAIDE, April 27. , Mp Borchgrevink has sailed for London. _ \ BRISBANE, April 25. A writ lias been issued by Mr' Darius Hunt, of Toowooinba, against Messrs Hart, Morehead, Webster (directors), and Unmack (auditor)^ of the Queensland National Bank.' The cause of action, as iet Jorfch. is a. claim fer damages against) .tlie defendants' for

signing and issuing false reports and Balance sheets and making 'misr.eprespntatipn^oi tna affair's of the bank/, wheriiby "the plaintiff " was induced to purchase shares." " Reports from the back country- "reveal great destruction through drought. There - is riot a vestige.. x>i grass or herbage for hundreds -of miles, » and when the scrub" gives out the remnants of the flocks musfe . perish. PERTH, April 26. During a" heavy gale the Norwegian; barque Arcadia was blown ashore at Hamilton Harbour. The crew aboard were unable -to communicate with the land" owing to the heavy sea. Mr Illingworth succeeds Mr Leake, Q.C.g as leader of the Opposition. HOBART, April 25. Parliament was opened to-day. The Speech was on the lines, forecasted yesterday."