INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 25

INTERCOLONIAL.

Jkil A 1/lT > » 1 H »■ MELBOURNE, July 22. In connection with the recent raid the manager of the Cafe Francatclli was fined £25 on each of three cliarges of selling liquor without a license. Lord Denman, the Governor-general, has purchased the steeplechaser Topmast, and will probably use him as a hunter. The half-yearly report of the Bank of Victoria provides for a dividend of 6 per cent., adding £15,000 to the reserve, and carrying forward £20,483. The State Premier (Mr Watt), referring to his recent visit to England, said there is nothing to lead to the belief that the London money market is shut against Australia. When the present congestion was relieved Australia could pursue a borrowing policy with perfect confidence. The credit of the Commonwealth was now equal to what it had been at its verv best. July 23. In a second case arising out of the recent Melbourne cafe raid the manager of the Savoy Cafe was fined £SO for selling liquor without a license. July 25. Mr Cook proposes to limit the maternity bonus to poor people. July 26. The Melbourne Marine Board announces that the entrance to Port Phillip has Ueen deepened to 37ft. The report of the engineers who have investigated the Murray waters question, with a view to ascertaining the means that are essential to the settlement of the lands in the various States affected, contains recommendations involving an expenditure of over £6,000.000. SYDNEY', July 22. A Parliamentary paper shows that there were 275,929 exemptions in 1912 owing to conscientious objections to vaccination in Sydney. July 24. The birth rate for the Commonwealth last year was 28.65 per 1030—an increase of 1.44. The death rate was 11.23—an increase of 0.57. The marriage rate was 9.07 —an increase of 1.18 compared with the previous year The death of Mr J. W. Turner, superintendent of technical education in New South Wales, is announced. He was 54 \ ears of age. July 28. A private cablegram has been received to the effect that the Bill asking for the appointment of a commission to investigate the title to the Page millions, which was withdrawn after its first reading in tho House of Lords, will be re-intro-duced in the House of Commons. July 26. Following the passage of the Sugar Bills in the Queensland Parliament a Federal proclamation has been issued abolishing the excise and bounty on sugar grown in Australia by white labour. After representations had been made byMr Wade and the New South Wales Labour party the Speaker announced that he would reinstate the four Parliamentary messengers who had been dismissed under the Willis regime. July 27. Mrs Christina Callendar, a recent arrival from New Zealand, was drowned at Thirroul, where she was staying with a com-

panion. The latter visited Mrs Calleular’a bedroom this morning, but Mrs Callendar was missing. The body was discovered on the beach. The deceased is described as being of eccentric habits An open verdict was returned at the inquest. July 28. In a special case the full court ruled that the temporary resumption cf cohabitation did not annul a maintenance order or prohibit the recovery of arrears under such order. The Rev. Dr Brown (president of the Methodist General Conference) has departed for England to represent Australia at the British Methodist Missionary Society’s Centenary celebrations. BRISBANE, July 24. The Sugar Growers’ Employ-ees Bill has received the Royal assent. It provides for equal rates of pay, and the effect will be to wipe out coloured labour. HOBART, July 22. Ponding a reference of their trouble to the Board of Conciliation the Hobart waterside workers will resume work.