INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 26

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, May 23. The Full High Court has commenced the hearing of the case Osborne v. the Commonwealth for the purpose of testing the validity of the Land Tax and Land Tax Assessment Act. May 25. There was an extraordinary phenomenon at Tallangatta, The atmosphere was full of millions of beautiful gossamer threads. They were so numerous as to cause inoonvendenoe. They are attributed to balloon spiders. A fire which started in the top floor of Watson's Chambers, in Flinders lane, to-day spread, gutting the third, fourth, and fifth floors, containing the offices of different firms. The damage Ls estimated at over £20,000. These was considerable anxiety for a time, as the fire occurred in a densely packed area. The firemen were in great danger owing to the falling roofs and ceilings. The National Insurance Company of New Zealand is involved to the extent of £2OOO. May 27. The Federal Government is lending, the Papuan Administration £SOCO a year for five years for the purchase of" rubber plantations. May 28. Two double-engined coal trains collided on the Powlett line. Three of the engines were .derailed and badly smashed. The employees escaped by jumping clear. SYDNEY, May 23. _As a result of a blasting accident at Kahgiara mine, near Yass, two miners named Wright and Edmunds were killed, and another was seriously injured. While drilling the men struck a neglected chargeof dynamite. May 24. The Cabinet has decided to make the minimum wage for women workers in the Government service, where they are not covered by a Wages Board award, £llO per annum. A terrific boiler explosion took place at a sawmill at Trundle to-day. Parte of the engine were blown 100 yards. One person was killed and two were seriously injured. May 25. The Acting Chief Secretary has issued regulations directing that in future Sunday concerts must be strictly of a religious nature and that no collection shall be taken up till the end of the performance. It is reported that the independent rabbit packers have succeeded in breaking the corner in regard to cold storage. The Prinz Waldemar's owners have been informed that they can remove the vessel from quarantine without the officers and crew. The captain refused to allow the steamer to go out until he is in charge May 26. There is an epidemic of measles, and 3CO deaths have been reported: The doctors are unable to cope with the number of patients, many of whom decline to follow their instructions. May 27. Dr Jean White's theory of the cause of bitter pit in apples being the spraying of arsenate of lead will be tested by theFederal and State Governments. In order to prevent the drinking of naphtha the Minister' of Customs has decided on a new regulation providing for the addition of £ per cent, of coai tar. Seventy thousand gallons of oil fuel were yesterday despatched to Hartley Vale for use on the destroyers. > The Fire Brigade employees have issued claims for a 20 per cent, increase of their wages. Mr Raffan has resigned the presidency of the Bowling Association because members rejected his proposal for the imposition of a capitation fee of 3s per member in order to secure a paid secretary. I May 29. At the annual dinner of the New South Wales Alliance Archdeacon Boyce said i& was now 34 years since he had raised the local option flag, and in that period the drink bill of New South Wales had fallen by 40 per centum per head of the population and the convictions for drunkenness by 50 per centum. A seizure of opium valued at £325 was made .amongst the cargo of the China steamer Empire after it was landed. Nearly 600 immigrants, including childdren, who were selected by the British Immigration League, have arrived withia the past few days. The majority havo already secured employment, many of them going on to Queensland. BRISBANE, May 23.

A search steamer has thoroughly pptrolled Barren Reef, Nares Rock, and Steam Lane, but saw no sign of the Yongala-