INTERCOLONIAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 26

INTERCOLONIAL

MELBOURNE, January il. The tariff is making slow piogies-s in the' 1 Senate. A reduction of the duty on eterine wax from a penny to a halfpenny and a halfpenny off confectionery is le co mm ended by the Upper House. February 3. An inquest was held on five babies who died at the premises of a registered muse. The evidence revealed a shocking story of cruelty and neglect. The little ones were tied hand and foot to prevent them from throwing their bedclothes off. The surroundings were dirty. The coroner (Dr Cole) &aid that the evidence was not sufficient to warrant him in committing the nurse for manslaughter, but he hoped that she would be punished for cruelty. SYDNEY, January 28. A private letter states that the remains of the- late Mr J. C. Wilkin, of Christchurch, who died at Paris after a painful illness, were cremated. The remains are now on their way to New Zealand for interment. The family sailed from Marseilles b£ the Mcoltan on the 10th met.

February 1. The Solomon Islands Development Company, with a capital of £100,000, is being formed by Messrs Burns, Philp, and Co. Large tracts of land have been seemed <!S plantations. Splendid monsoonal tain is falling in those districts where it is most needed. BRISBANE, January 31. A biograph show at Rockhampton took fire, and 700 ft of films was burnt. The audience stampeded, but no one was huit.