INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 21

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, February 2. At the banquet to Mr Deakin the right hon. gentleman said that the problem facing the Federal Government was how to conduct Parliament, which, instead of having a majority and a minority, had three practically equal parties. The position was unstable, and it was absolutely impossible that it could continue. It was essential as soon as possible that the three parties somehow or other 'should be resolved into two, in order that constitutional government might be carried out. He had not the slightest idea which of the two parties were going to unite, but unite they must.

February 3.

At the annual meeting of the Bank of Victoria a profit was shown of £72,000. A dividend of 5 per cent, on preferential shares and 3^ on ordinary shares was declared, £10,000 added to the reserve iiuid, and £10,000 carried forward.

February

There was a tremendous gale with heavy rain all day yesterday, which continued to-day, doing considerable damage. Many yachts are ashore in Hob c on's Bay. The tramway traffic was impeded owing to the lines being under water. The Yarra rote to the level of the planking on the Queen's bridge. FloocK are feared unless the weather abates.

February 8,

The storm on Saturday and Sunday was preceded by high temperature on Friday, with a, drop of 30deg on Saturday. The tide was the highest for 20 yoars, and flooded a number of houses on the beach at Port Melbourne. $

One of the crew of the yacht Sayonara, attempting to land in a dingey at St. Kilda, was never seen again.

Troedcl's printing -work 1 ;, Flindois lane, were gutted by fire. Large masses cf biu-tiiag paper were scattered over tho cily by the gale, but the dienchi'ig rain prevented the Hrebrauds doiua any

I damage. Over 160 hands are thrown I idle. The amount of damage is im- " known. The stock is insured for £12,300. SYDNEY, February 2. By the death of Mr F. White, a resident in the Armidale district, the Melanesian Mission receives a bequest of £500. Various substantial sums have "been left to other organisations of the Church of England. For negligence in carrying out the regulations under the Coal Mines act for the protection of miners, the mine manager of the South Greta colliery had his certificate suspended for 12 months, and was mulcted in £40 costs. , February 4. A 950z nugget has been found in the Braidwood district.

February 6,

The secretary of the Pastoralists' Union refused to give evidence before the commission now inquiring into the shearers' dispute, and half a dozen other witnesses failed to answer to their names.

ADELAIDE, February 2

The barque Celtic Queen arrived from Aquepulea fever-stricken. Nearly all the crew suffered during the voyage, and 10 are still ill. The first mate (Bomford), the third mate (Parry), and a sailor died.

February 4.

Details show that the fever-stricken crew of the Celtic Queen underwent a severe experience. The captain and the steward were the only ones' not affected by the malaria, and they practically navigated the ship. The chief mate kept ' the log up as well as he could, but day after day his writing grew fainter, till on the log there comes a blank in the ' page. The brave man never once men- ' tioned the illness that was gradually ' wearing him down. The crew were com- ( posed of different nationalities, but all worked splendidly throughout. |

February 8.

There is a fresh outburst of fire in the Wallaroo mine, which threatens extensive damage.

PERTH, February 5. '

The barque County Dumfries collided in mid-ocean on Christmas Day with the barque Modura. The vessels while ex- ' changing signals got close together. Neither was seriously injured.

HOBART, February 7

A rich find of tin has been made on the summit of Parson'-s Hood : near Zeehan.