INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 21

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, November 18. 'A youth named Peters is charged with inflicting bodily harm on a boy named Sibbold. He enticed the latter to a lonely cottage at Mentone, and gave him 300 strokes with titree l-ods. The gaol doctors have Peters under observation. The late Sir Andrew Clarke collected some valuable information for Mr Turner as to the kind of reception a Commonwealth conversion loan would have in London, New York, or Paris. Sir George Turner believes strongly that if the Federation took the States' debts over all the accommodation that "would be needed could be obtained in Paris. He was not much impressed with the prospects in New York. If it was merely a matter of getting the best terms, he is possibly inclined to believe these <jould be got in Paris. November 19. Trumble, the cricketer, has arrived from the Cape. The team had an interesting visit to South Africa, and will reach home on the 3rd of December. November 21. At the Rifle Association contest the King's Prize was won by Corporal Burr, with 306. Adison, of Adelaide, was second with 305. Lord Tennyson has been appointed to %he Governor-generalship for one year. He was offered the position for five years, but owing to family reasons is unable to accept the full term. November 22. Grummet, who won the champion aggregate at the rifle meeting last year, has repeated the performance at this frneeting with 453 points. Lieutenant Is cm was second with 452. A drunken Swedish sailor named For'seel brutally assaulted the wife of a ■working man named Rigg on Latrobe street west. He caught the woman by the throat, and hurled her to the pavement, fracturing her skull. Death ensued from suffocation. Forseel was arrested. November 23. The Mayors of Sydney and Melbourne assume the titles of Lord Mayors, the dovernor-generals having been advised that the King has been pleased to confer that dignity upon them. Madame Melba made her first appearance in Australia in grand opera at the Princess Theatre. There was a crowded and enthusiastic house, and the performance was a great success. SYDNEY, November 18. The Leader of the Opposition states that if the Government do not act to relieve the pastoralists and agriculturists in regard to the fodder duties lie will

be compelled to test the feeling of Parliament on the matter. November 19. A member of the unemployed addressed the Assembly from the strangers' gallery. He rated members for haggling over measures while thousands starved. He sarcastically inquired whether the Assembly called itself Parliament, and counselled members to get work. Before further advice could be tendered the interrupter was ejected. November 20. Mr Moon, secretary of the Bakers.' Union, has been convicted on a charge of instigating a strike, and fined £5. An extraordinary shooting affray occurred at Cowra. A girl named Herring shot Lee, the landlord of the Club Hotel. There is little hope of his recovery. Miss Herring requested a clergyman to come to the hotel to marry her to Lee. WhehMie came the girl asked Lee if he intended to keep his promise. He said "No." The girl drew a revolver and fired two shots. One of the witnesses to the proposed ceremony grasped the girl, when the revolver went off again, all three shots taking effect. Lee in his dying depositions admitted that he had given Miss Herring cause to shoot him. He had taken an oath that if he did not marry Mi=s Herring she could shoot him. November 21. In the action in which a member of the South African Contingent obtained judgment for the payment of 4s 6d a day from the New South Wales Government, in addition to the Imperial payment, the Government petitioned for a new trial, but a Full Court refused the application. The half-yearly meeting of the Bank of New South Wales took place to-day. The report stated that the net profits for the half-year were £118,229, which with the undivided balance from last half, gave £130,278 for distribution. A dividend of 10 per cent, per annum was declared, £15,000 added to the reserve, and £15,278 carried forward. The chairman, in his address, referring to the increase of advances, said that the largest increase was in New Zealand, where good opportunities for expanding and lending on safe lines had presented themselves. The report was adopted. November 24. New Hebrides advices state that M. Routlin, agent of the French Society at the island of Api, committed suicide when suffering from fever. Sir E. Barton spoke at Maitland. The Town Hall was densely crowded. The Premier had a good reception. In his speech he traversed his visit to England, the doings of the Imperial Conference, and work of the past session. In reference to the navy agreement, he said : "It was the pride of vanity to imagine that Australia had a navy when that navy was no longer fit for use. But you can have one always up to date when you have no Braddon blot ten years hence. The Commonwealth will then be able to make its own arrangements. He said he would be the last to say Australia should have no navy and the first to say that the Australian navy ought to act in concert with the navies of the Empire. ADELAIDE, November 20. A tidal wave at Glenelg suddenly rose 6ft beyond high-water mark, and rushed inland 200 ft. November 21. An extraordinary phenomenon was witnessed from the Observatory yesterday in the form of a slowly-moving brilliant globular light having a planetary disc. It moved slowly northward, passing within 15deg or 20deg of the sun. It was distinctly visible for three or four minutes, and appeared like Venus at its greatest brilliancy, travelling in full view over a space of OOdeg. When near the point of vertical axis its form changed and became elongated. It was then lost in the glare of the sky. Mr R. T. Maurice, the explorer, successfully crossed the continent from Fowler Bay (South Australia) to Wyndham (Western Australia). He obtained some interesting information a* to native habits, and also witnessed a battle between aboriginal tribes. November 24. The wheat market is excited, owing to high prices in Sydney. Sales are reported as high as os 7d. Mi Gow, the New Zealand Trade Representative, arrived by the Victoria. He states there is a good opening for -New Zealand produce in South Africa. Owing, however, to the protection afforded the South Africa Company, outsiders are practically debarred from establishing cold storage depots. At the same time he considers that there are ample depots already at the various ports. New Zealand butter and cheese are making great strides in England. BRISBANE, November 24. Good rain has fallen on Darling Downs just in time to save the maize crops. The police have received an anonymous confession concerning .he murder of Doyle and Dalke, for which the Keniffs are under sentence of death. It comes from an inland town, but has received little credence. TOWNSVLLLE, November 24. The post mortem examination of a i woman disclosed that the had been

suffering from plague. There are three other suspicious cases. PERTH November 21. Mr Graham Gow, the New Zealand Trade Commissioner, arrived by the Victoria. He anticipates a big trade with the East, especially in timber. NORFOLK ISLAND, November 19. News from the New Hebrides states that Captain Harry Amis has been shot by the Mallicolo natives, and two of his boat's crew are seriously wounded. Mrs M'Naughton died in the Anibrim Hospital.