INTERCOLONIAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 26

INTERCOLONIAL

MELBOURNE, March 30. The Minister of Customs is inquiring into the question of introducing the metric system, and the New Zealand Act is being examined with a view to seeing v hether it vrill afford a basis for legislation if it is decided to adopt the system. In giving evidence before the. Tariff Commission, witnesses representing the ■woollen industry said) that they wanted

more protection, md urged an increase in , the duties ot from 15 to 25 per cent.

March 31

Xo official intelligence lias been, received about the lof-s on the Pacific cable business for the year, but the Jinglish pf»peis state it ai, £88.000.

Sir H. Tozer, a member of the Cable Board, who has been inquiring into matters connected with the Pacific cable while visiting Australia, has come to the conclusion that the loss will only be lessened by pushing business in Australia and other countries served by the cable

April 3.

The Commorm-ealth Customs revenue for nine months shoTvs a comparative decrease of £285.000.

SYDNEY, March 29

The scientific expedition secured, 28 miles outside the Sydney Heads, at a depth of 1800 ft. a number of beautiful specimens of shells hitherto unknown to science.

News has been received of another native rising against the Roman Catholic missionaries in the Bismarck Archipelago. It appears the missionaries near Berlinhafen (near the scene of the recent massacre) took two native children from their parents and placed them in a mission school. The natives resented this, and made a hostile demonstration to recover them. When news of the peril of the missionaries reached the German Governor at Herbertsbohe he immediately proceeded to the scene with armed police. On their arrival the natives retreated to the bush. The result was not known when the steamer bringing the news left. The natives asked the Governor to remove the • missionaries, promising that peace wouldi reign if this was done.

March 30.

The seamen of the Albany state that the vessel was wrecked on a fine, clear afternoon. The coiirse was too much inshore for safety. The vessel was travelling full speed when she crashed into an outlying reef and began to fill. A steam pipe burst in the engineroom, driving all from

March 31.

Owing to copious rains tlie prospects of the next wheat harvest are distinctly good.

Tno Full Courl recently ruled that the Arbitration Court's decision according preference to unionists was ultra vires. The employees affected by the ruling obtained leave to appeal against it to the High Court. April 1. Another case of plague is reported from Newcastle.

Owing to the disclosures in a recent case over a deal in land, insinuations are rife against the Lands Department and politicians. In one instance the sum of £15,000 is mentioned as having been paid as commission to obtain certain advantages. The Minister has promised the fullest inquiry. "April 2.

A plague patient at Newcastle is dead SYDNEY, April 3.

I The rain and gale have ceased, and the "floods quickly subsided. The low-lying districts round Darling Harbour suffered severely. In some back streets the water rose to a height of 10ft. Many residents j were flooded out. The police are rendering prompt aid in rescuing them, and the ( Government is providing shelter and assistance. There was much damage to property through the inroads of water into the I warehouses and business places. -The tram , traffic in some suburbs was disorganised for a time owing to damage to the lines.

details respecting the Pilbarra show that for a time "she was actually abandoned. After the first mate's boat was despatched with the women and children to Erromanga the steamer drifted so close in that it was feared she would strike a reef. Two boats, containing all aboard, were launched, and stood by till the morning. Wh?n the Pilbarra was clear of danger they again boarded her. During the subsequent 12 days at sea anchors and other methods were employed to ease her drift. A heavy swell prevented all efforts to do anything with the propellers. April 3. A fourth case of plague is reported. BRISBANE, April 3. Another case of plague is reported here. The Sugar Journal states that the leasing of sugar lands to coloured aliens continues. PERTH, April 1. Two armed masked m.en seized two employees in the Devon Mine, Kalgoorlie, and removed 12 battery plates, of supposed rich gold. The" polios traced a cart for 10 miles, and arrested two men.

Torrential rain has fallen over the coastal districts. A strong easterly gale on the coast continues, interfering considerably with the telegraphic services. Large areas of Marrickville, Glebe, and other low-lying suburbs are flooded. -Many residents have been forced to leave their homos and seek shelter.

Rough-riding contests have become a craze at Taihape. The promoters of the last^ competition felt so satisfied that a day s sport is being arranged for May 3 to include buckjum}sing- for amateurs and professionals, lassoing, running, horse-jump-ing, pack-horse competitions, etc. About £60 is being 1 given in prize 3.