INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3029, 3 April 1912, Page 25

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, March 28. The new regulations under the Federal Electoral Act have been gazetted. They provide for compuisorv enrolment. March 29. Mr Watt, the State Treasurer, has been cited on a charge of contempt of court by refusing to obey the mandamus to grant a liquor license at Wonthaggi. The High Court has granted an order nisi on the application of the Melbourne Tramways Company to restrain Mr Justice Higgins from proceeding with any

tramway matters on the groin 1 of lack of jurisdiction. April 1. The wheat crop for 1911-1912 is 20,891,877 bushels, an average of 9.65 to the acre, against 34,813,000, or an average of 14£ bushels for the previous year. The Customs and Excise revenue for the Commonwealth for the nine months ended March 31 shows an increase of £430,000. on the estimate. SYDNEY, March 26. The Food Supply Commissioner's interim report dealing with fish has been tabled in the Legislative Assembly. It states that during the past decade prices have increased by 30 to 100 per cent. The supplies have been irregular, and when they glut the markets the consumers have not benefited. Although the Commissioner is unable to trace the existence of a ring, he says the position is thoroughly unsatisfactory, and he recommends the development of the deep-sea trawling by the Government. March 27. The Fire Brigade Commissioners' report views with alarm the increased heighV. of buildings in Sydney, some of which *re twice as high as the longest escapes. It is feared that Sydney will develop tVyscrapers, which are the cause, the report says, of great loss of life in New York. March 28. Three distinct earth tremors were felt at Bingara on Tuesday night. March 29. A man was found dying at Mosman under circumstances that point to suicide. His papers bore the name "J. M'Cullough, Waipiro Bay, New Zealand." A new coalfield has been opened at Branxton, 34 miles from Newcastle. It is estimated to contain 80,000,000 tons of coal. The Drake, the new flagship, has arrived. She established a record from Hobart. March 31. The first great parade of Metropolitan Cadets took place in the Centennial Park on Saturday, when 18,500 Cadets joined in the manoeuvres, and presented a magnificent spectacle. General Gordon commanded. The Governor-General inspected the Cadets, who showed excellent discipline, considering they have only had nine months' training. April 1. The Warrego, the destroyer which was put together locally, has been satisfactorily completed, and has had short distance speed tests.