INTERCOLONIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1741, 16 May 1873, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, May 8. The Minister of Mines has determined to sink si trial shaft for coal near Corner Inlet, Gippa Land. " Dutnmyism," or the evasion of the provisions of the Land Act by false ssworn declarations, has recently been practised to a large extent in Victoria, and the matter has been brought under the consideration of the Land Department. It is thought that a separate colony will shortly have to be proclaimed at Port Darwin, now part of the South Australian territory. Snow to the depth of several inches fell in the Black Forest in the last week of April. A Volunteer Club, open to all members of the force, of whatever rank, is being formed in Melbourne, and seems likely to prove a success. Mr Frederick Edward Walter, bookkeeper to Messrs John Sanderson and Co., wool merchants, Melbourne, was charged at the Melbourne Police Court on Ist May with embezzling £1644 2s belonging to the firm. It was stated that his total defalcations were believed to amount to over £6000. He was released on bail, and on the 6fch inst. he committed suicide by taking strychnine. An auriferous quartz reef has been discovered on the Lachlan Eiver, Kiverina. The Baroda, P. and O. Co.'s mail steamer, was placed in quarantine at Port Phillip, having reported a case of small-pox. The patient was a Lascar, who had come from Alexandria. No j

further cases bad occurred, and no spread of the disease was apprehended. Mr George Higinbotbam has been returned to the Assembly. The Hon. Henry Morgan Murphy. M.L.C., was fined £10, with £10 10s coats, at the District Police Court, on the charge of cruelty to a dog belonging: to Mr Pear, of "the Post-offi-e Hotel, Elizabeth strpet, in throwing at it a table knife, which wounded the animal. On the Bth May, the Hon. the Chief Secretary transmitted the following telegram to Lord Kimberley: — "This Government have fully considered matters relating to the Mail contract with the P. and O. Company, aa contained in your Lordship's telegram of the Ist instant. The Government of Victoria can emphatically yield nothing, and recorgnise only the decision arrived at by the Conference recently held at Sydney on the mail question, when six out of seven of the group of Australian Colonies decided that Victoria should be the terminus. Lord Kimberley is reminded that it was only yielding to the pressure of the Imperial Government that this Colony consented to submit the question of the terminus to the Conference at all, although even then •it wai distinctly stated that Victoria as the terminus was a foregone conclusion on the part of Mr Francis's Government — in fact a sine qua non. Mr Francis believes he is consulting the best interests of the whole group of Colonies in firmly adhering to the position which this Government have already taken up regarding the mail service. This Colony cannot modify that position, or yield a single point upon which it has been established, and is quite prepared, if necessary, to provide for its government. (Signed) J. G. Fbancis." Adelaide. Last quarter's revenue amounted to ' £231,000, showing an increase of £84,000 over the corresponding period of last year. The expenditure amounted to £203,000. A large increase is shown in the land sales, railways, and telegraph revenues. On the Priscilla Eeef, Yam Creek, Port Darwin, "Westcott has discovered another rich leader on the Western Bonus lease. Fresh discoveries have been made on the line of the Eleanor reef, near Stackey's Camp, three quarters of a mile to the south of previous prospects. Sir Henry Ayera has received a telegram from Sir James Fergusson, dated Aden, stating that Mr Musgrave, the new Governor, left Natal on April 23, and might be expected here about the end of June. The Government are anxious to accept the Earl of Kimberley's proposal for an extension of the P. and O. Company's mail contract, and have opened negotiations with Victoria. The certificate of Pilot Tait has been suspended for a month for attempting to pilot the ship England's Glory when |prudence demanded that she should anchor. The new Electoral Act comes into operation on June 24, but the increase in the number of members will not take place until next year. During the month of April, 7in. of rain fell at Tarn Creek. The New Cornwall mine at Wallaroo, upon which £100,000 has been expended, and which was afterwards abandoned, haa been floated on the London market. A sale of 75,000 bushels of wheat is reported at 5s 5d to 5s 6d. Sydney. A party of young men tin-kettled a young married couple at Wallarawang on Saturday, 3rd inst. The bride's father fired and shot three of them ; one, it is supposed, is mortally injured. Mr Leighton, the landlord of the Cherry-tree Inn, near Mudgee, was aroused last night by a burglar attempting to force an entrance into the hotel. He shot him dead. Captain Beck, of the barque Lyttelton, was thrown from his horse at Newcastle and his neck was broken. A mounted bushranger fired at an itinerant showman named Doonan, near Kimkeld, on Friday, 2nd, and killed his horse, i He only obtained a few shillings in money. The report of a white woman found at Keppel Bay is believed to be a hoax. The barque Velocipede arrived from Newcastle with the captain and crew of the Belleisle. The captain reported that the vessel sprang a leak during the late gale, and the ballast having shifted, the vessel was unable to right herself, and was sinking slowly when the Velocipede sighted her. The vessel was expected to sink soon after she was abandoned. The steamer Thetis was despatched in search of the wreck, but returned without finding any trace of it. Tuesday, 6tb May, was observed as a close holiday on the occasion of the public funeral of the late W. C. Wentworth. The weather was fine, and large crowds lined the thoroughfares through which the procession passed on the way to Vauciuse, leaving the streets of the city completely empty. The funeral cortege was a very long one, and every section of the community was largely represented. At Vauciuse, where thousands were assembled, Sir James Martin delivered an oration. Several South Sea pearl- fishing vessels are fitting out under the Imperial licence regulations. Bbisbane. Whilst His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby was visiting Gympie, his , buggy was upset, and he was thrown out, and sprained bis ankle. The Governor has been confined to bed through the accident, but is progressing favorably. Laxtnceston". The northern gold-fields are looking up again. A rich reef, yielding 40oz. to the ton, has been discovered at the Nine-mile Springs. The Caledonian Company has declared a second dividend, and the Derby Company a first dividend. Both are Fingal companies. Hobabt Towsr. The first white woman born ia the colony, died on Sunday, 4th inst, aged 70.