INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3061, 13 November 1912, Page 23

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, November 5. Good rains have greatly improved the crop prospects. The Governor, on the advice of the At-torney-general, lias remitted the floggings of the criminals M‘Donald and Moore. The State Governor has appointed Mr Laughton, Government Statist, and Mr Brennan, of the Railway Department, inspectors to inquire into the financial position of the Colonial Mutual Life Society. November 6. In reply to representations that New Zealand cement should be allowed to enter the Commonwealth on the same i terms as British, Mr Fisher stated that the Government had no power under the tariff to alter the duty. November 8. In Mr Eivington’s petition against his wifo (Miss Florence Young, the actress) for a dissolution of their marriage, the decree nisi has been made absolute. The postal authorities notify that press cable rates from- Great Britain to Australia have been reduced from 9d to 7-Jjd a word on both the Pacific and the Eastern Company’s cables. November 9. The new Referenda Bill provides that the electors shall vote separately on each question, and not shape their own question, as at the last election. An important addition is that which seeks federal jurisdiction over unemployment. November 10. At the inquest on the body of iVUCarthy a verdict of death from misadventure as the result of a foul blow struck in sport during a boxing contest was returned. November 11. Claims for the maternity bonus are being received at the rate of 300 daily. Already £8430 has been paid out. The Federal revenue for the first quarter of the financial year shows an increase of £468,000 over the corresponding quarter of last year. SYDNEY, November 5. Rain has fallen in the wheat area of the Riverina, and saved many crops from comparative failure. The City Council has rescinded the bylaw limiting the height of buildings to 150 ft, and has substituted a rule allowing them to go to a height of 200 ft. November 7. A women’s protest meeting against Lord Denman’s eviction decided that unless the State Government reconsidered its decision the women would find their remedy at the ballot box. The National Rifie Association of America has invited Australia to participate in next year’s international matches. The Union Steam Ship Company has paid £32,000 for Lyon’s Buildings, at the corner of George and Grosvenor streets, where it will erect new offices. November 8. The Sydney Seventh Day Adventists are sending two missionaries to Pitcairn Island. Advices have been received to the effect that the steamer Kiel, bound from Port Pirie to England with a cargo of wheat, has arrived at Capetown. During heavy weather her coal gave out, and wheat had to be used to keep the boiler fires going. November 9. As a result of the monsoonal disturbance, useful rains are falling. There are nearly 100 known cases of leprosy in the Commonwealth. They are mostly among coloured people. Charles Towns is willing to accept Arnst’s offer to allow any sculler in Australia lOsec in a race on the Parramatta course. The new Australian coat-of-arms has received the sanction of the Heralds’ College (London). Besides minor alterations, the

words “Advance Australia” have been replaced by the word “Australia.” November 10. At a conference of the Australian Journalists’ Association, all the States being represented, resolutions were carried sympathising with the New Zealand Association's efforts to secure improved working conditions, pledging assistance in such efforts, and hoping that a close alliance between the two associations would soon be established. A. Barry, of the Sydney Club, swam 100 metres in Imin l-ssec, beating Longworth’s Australian I’ecord by 4-ssec. November 11. / A missionary from the Solomon Islands says that through the progress of mission work they are gradually eradicating savage customs. The strangulation of women when the bus band died, and headj hunting and cannibalism, are almost things of the past. Speaking at Oberon, Mr Beeby said that whatever the consequences were, even though they led to his retirement from politics altogether, he intended to persist in his opposition to certain of the referenda proposals. A cyclonic storm was experienced at Blackall to-day. It lasted only 10 minutes, but scarcely a house escaped damage. Many buildings were unroofed. Temperance Sunday was observed in all the churches with special sermons. Three booksellers have been fined on a charge of selling an obscene publication—namely, Chidley’s book “The Answer.” BRISBANE, November 6. Owing to inability to obtain what are regarded as adequate protective duties, Joyce’s cotton mills at Ipswich are closing. FREMANTLE, November 8. Colour-sergeant Werington, one of the cadets who recently toured England and Canada, was returning home by the steamer Warilda. He was found dead in his cabin, having been shot through the head. It is supposed that the shooting was accidental. PERTH, November 9. A cadet has been sentenced to a month’s imprisonment for refusing to allegiance to the King. He pleaded that the Defence Act contained many provisions with which he disagreed. He might, he said, be ordered out in the event of civil strife, and so he could not conscientiously take the oath. SUVA, November 11. The Circuit Court had a heavy criminal calendar to deal with. Indians were the chief offenders, and the list included two charges of murder. One of the accused was convicted and sentenced to death. The other was acquitted owing to a flaw in the evidence.