INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2546, 31 December 1902, Page 21

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, December 22. In the case of the Montgomerie Brewery Company against John Blythe and W. T. Jones for the recovery of money in respect of secret profits made out of the flotation of the company, a verdict has been given for the plaintiffs, making the defendants liable for £40,000, with costs. The hearing has occupied a fortnight. December 23. The State Railway Engineer-in-Chief has been appointed to report on the transcontinental railway. December 24. A tpell of very hot weather was followed by thunder and rain to-night. There is a large influx of vNitois for the holiday, and a general feebng of hopefulness is the chief feature of the festivities. December 20. The weather wa- fine and warm. The chief of many attractions was the interState cricket match and the races. Both were largely attended. The text of a scheme drawn up by Lieutenant-colonel Altham of what the War Office at the Imperial Conference wanted Australia to do in the way of recruiting the Imperial army has been circulated. The main features of the scheme are tue formation of two mounted and one infantry brigade, to be at the

disposal of the Imperial Government in case of war, under the title of the Imperial Australian "Force, the officers to be nominated by the Governor-general on the advice of the Ministry, and granted temporary rank in the army, the right being reserved by the King to appoint, on mobilisation, a supreme commanding officer and a headquarters staff. The training in time of peace to be the same as the partially paid Australian forces. The men must serve not less than two years, and in war time serve wherever wanted. The pay when in the Commonwealth to be at Australian rates, and when abroad at English rates. The approximate strength of the force would be 9000 men of all ranks 1 . SYDNEY, December 22. Another shipment of 3000 tons of Argentine maize and 500 tons of hay has arrived. December 23. The Boer farmer delegates are visiting the dairying centres on the south coast. The Victoria made the run from Wellington to Sydney in 82hrs* 4omin. This is all the more creditable owing to the fact that she contended for 20 hours against strong south-west winds and squalls jand a heavy, head sea. Sunday next has been proclaimed a day of special prayer and thanksgiving for the recent rains. December 24. The city is crowded with visitors. The brenk-up of the drought over a large part of the State came opportunely, and will lend additional zest to Christmastide rejoicing. The thermometer has risen to the occasion, and touched 100 degrees in the shade to-day. The Daily Telegraph, commenting on the Daily Express's report of Lord Millier's possible appointment as Governorgeneral of Australia, says that the Empire is not too plentifully possessed of men of ability, especially in colonial affairs, that it can afford to send one of Lord Milner's calibre to Australia, where a forceful Governor-general would either have to repress himself so severely that he would be lost to the Empire's active service, or find himself locally so unpopular that the position would be irksome to the point of untenableness. The heat wave is affecting the whole of the State. Many country registers sliow well- over lOOdeg. December 25. The holiday was semi-religioTisly observed. The weather was fine, and much cooler than yesterday. Taylor Brothers' box factory in Annandale has been burned. The loss includes a large stock of timber. There was fine weather in all the States yesterday. The weather was fine, but uncomfortably hot. The- city was almost deserted. Great crowds attended at all the holiday resorts, including the races, the cricket match (Queensland against New South Wales Second Eleven), and the interState band contest. December 26. The decrease in wool carried on the railways this season, a.s compared to last year, is already 181,000 bales. The concessions for carriage on starving stock means a loss of upwards of £100,000 for the year. Dr Scholf, Governor of Samoa, is on a visit to Sydney en route for Apia, after an extended absence. On being interviewed relative to the question of trade with Samoa, he said that matters were somewhat quiet, but as the natives were now commencing to work things would soon be brisk, as there was much to be done. The German Government were fully alive to the Heeds of the case, and with a view to increasing trade proposed to import labour to assist the natives. This probably would be obtained either from China or Java, and would be employed in agriculture and general coolie labour. The Governor spoke of the excellent work the missionaries had done in Samoa. He had spent his vacation visiting China, Java, and the Philippines. Inquests were held to-day on two clergymen — the Rev. Stanley Blackwell and Father Thomas M'Emroe — the latest victims of separate train accidents at Christmas. At a family party at Bathurst a Mrs Newton, per=onating Father Christmas in a cloak trimmed with cotton wool, took fire. She was terribly burned, and died in great agony. A Mr Ross, in his efforts to save her, was badly scorched. The holiday was marred by a sensational double tragedy. A man named Walsh was strolling along the cliffs at South Head, when he fell 250 ft. A boat with four men from a pilot steamer was recovering the remains when one got ashore and attached a line to Walsh's body. Whilst drawing it aboard, the boat capsized, and two of the occupants — David Pert and Harry Sherwood were drowned. A third was washed on to the rocks md was terribly bruised. With the help of his companion already ashore, he managed to scale the cliffs. None of the bodies were recovered. Another drowning fatality is reported. A man named Fox while bathing at Bronte was caught by the breakers in view of hundreds of, spectators. Gallant attempts were made to rescue Fox, but he was carried out to sea and drowned. December 27. Yesterday's train traffic established a record- The railway revenue slioiyed a

fair increase on the previous Boxing Day* With the exception of Tasmania, where it was cold ana stormy, the weather yesterday was fine in all the States. Im Brisbane it was fine, but very hot. Philippine news tells of a disastrous hurricane which recently swept over the island of Luzon, doing gi'eat damage in .some of the larger towns, while many o\ the smaller townships were swept out of existence. A number of lives were lost«r ADELAIDE, December 22. Lately much counterfeit coin has been circulated in the city, and Constable Murphy, while assisting to arrest three men suspected of circulating it, was* shot in the breast. The bullet glanced! from the bone, and the wound is not» serious. The men were tracked to aa empty house, surprised, and arrested 1 . All were armed. A complete coining plant was seized. December 25. The Premier has written to Sir E. Barton strongly objecting to the report of the Murray Waters Commission. He. asks the Federal Government to see that the navigability of the river is not endangered. ' Similar protests, coupled .' with suggestions for a conference of Premiers, have been sent by the NeK South Wales and Victorian Premiers. BRISBANE, December 22. Further heavy rain has fallen in the south-west. The Warrego River -fc in high flood. December 26. The weather was fine, but extremely hot. PERTH, December 23. During a gambling row a Malay fatally stabbed one and injured two other Chinese. The window of Belman, jeweller, Kalgoorlie, was [smashed in the absence of the owner at dinner. Eight hundred pounds' worth of goods were stolen. Coolgardie is receiving a new water supply service. The captain and portion of the crew: of the Zvir, wrecked while voyaging to Adelaide from Java, have arrived. The balance remain at Carnarvon. The wreck occurred on the night of November 27. The weather was very thick. Going full speed the vessel jammed fast on a reef. The captain favoured standing-by and sending for assistance. The officers objected owing to the isolated position of the wreck, and over-ruled him. The crew secured their personal effects and provisions, and got away, in three boats, wherein they spent five days before landing- at Carnarvon. Latest reports state that the Zvir stands perfectly upright on the reef, with the 'tween decks above water. She is not veiy badly damaged. A large portion of the cargo is uninjured, and is being rapidly salved. December 24. The Chinaman who was stabbed by a Malay was not fatally, wounded, a3 reported yesterday. He was very seri* ouhly wounded, but is not dead. December 25. The Chinaman who was seriously wounded by being stabbed by a Malay has succumbed. NORFOLK ISLAND, Dec. 23. The Titus has arrived from the New; Hebrides. Mr Rason, the New Hebrides Commissioner, is a .passenger, proceeding to Fiji. Affairs are all quiet ii the New Hebrides. The labour vessel Ycla» dor was spoken sot\th of the Cruz pronp. She had 132 recruits 'aboard. The Volador left Fiji on November 29 after re* . pairing her damaged mainmast boom.