INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 24

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, April 26. A cyclonic storm swept across the bay to-day, and a lighter with several thousand ingots of tin on board, and which was moored alongside the Peninsular steamer Mora broke adrift, and collided violently with the Orient steamer Orvieto, and foundered. The master of the lighter and his wife and the seamen were Tescued with some difficulty. April 27. Ninety-two cases of typhoid have been traced to one Fitzroy milk depot. April 28. The Fusion Ministry held its last executive meeting to-day. It was decided to leave the question of the confirmation of Colonel Kirkpatrick's appointment to its successors A rich strike is reported from the North Wbah Hawp mine. In five days specimens containing 4920 z of gold were obtained. A peculiar case was heard yesterday. A woman named Stuart sued a- man named Smith for maintenance. She declared she married the defendant in a theatre during a trance. The defendant denied ever marrying or living with Stuart. The case was dismissed. April 29. The stock returns for the year ended March 31 show the number of horses in the State of Victoria to he 442.829, an increase of 17,926; cattle. 1.549.640, a decrease of 24.522; sheep, 12,937,983, an increase of 392,241. Pigs show an increase of 38,563. The 'State Treasurer announces that the (Tovernment intends to proceed with its Land Tax Bills this year. SYDNEY, April 26. The coroner, wno has held an inquiry concerning the death of Hansen, who was drowned as a result of the sinking of the Currajong after her collision with the Wyreema on March 8, found that the collision was brought about by the culpable negligence o? Captain Maeburn, of the Wyreema, and lie committed him for trial on. a charge ,of man.slaiighteiv ~-.. April 27. : ; ; At''the trial of Donaldson, who was charged with the murder of his father near Inverell on December 20 last, accused's counsel pleaded " justifiable homicide." The judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of "Not

j guilty/' and discharged Donaldson without a stain on his character. The State Labour party is actively organising for the coming elections, it expresses confidence in the result, and declares that it is quite prepared to carry its platform into effect if it gets a. mandate from the people. Advices have been received to the eßect that Houlder Bros, are doubling the size of their fleet for Australia. A contract has been signed for 10 new 10,000-ton The Amalgamated, Society of Engineers has resolved that Sir G. H. Eeid <s not a true representative of the Australian people, and is urging Mr Fisher's Government to recall him. April 28. The Harbour Trust will construct a newwharf for the English mail steamers at Macquarie Point. This will permat of the widening of the fairway for the crowded ferry traffic at Sydney Cove. April /s». Aroused by the result of the recent Federal elections, the State Liberal party are actively organising for the coming General Election. A movement is also afoot for reorganising the party throughout the Commonwealth. May 2. James Russell, a New Zealander, attempted to commit suicide with a revolver. He was admitted to the hospital in a precarious condition, and in a rambling statement complained of the hardships of life and the unequal distribution of wealth. ADELAIDE, May 2. A couple named Piebsch were found dead* in their home. The husband, who was paralysed in the limbs, left a letter stating that his wife shot heTself, and that he. had taken poison and also shot himself. BRISBANE, April 28. The Government steamer Merrie Eng~land has been arrested at the instance of the Cairns Harbour Board with respect to unpaid towage fees due for the board's tugboat towing the vessel from Cairns to Townsville when she was in a disabled condition. HOBART, April 27. The protracted drought has broken up, but the rain is too late in many parts for the season's ploughing and sowing. The Marine Court found that the wreck of the schooner Relic was due to the carelessness of Captain Brown, whose certificate it recommended should be susoended for three months. Apxil 29. A large scientific expedition, including all the leading Australian astronomers, - has gone into camp at Brune Island, for the purpose of observing the solar eclipse on May 8.