INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 October 1901, Page 4

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

The auditors engaged to examine the accounts of Melbourne University, expected it would be a month or six weeks before the audit was completed, but so far as they were able to say at present the shortage due to misappropriation was £20,000. Sir William Lyne stites that at no distant data the Federal Government will take over the meteorological departments of the States, but other important businesses will first have to be disposed of. A goods train was proceeding slowly from Allandale Station. New South Wales when the driver noticed a man in the gutter leaning over with his head close to the line. The driver called out, “ Get out of that, you fool,” but the man merely looked at the moving (rain and then placed his head on the line. In spite of the endeavours of the driver to stop the train the wheels of the engine passed over the kneeling man, completely severing the head from the body. The customs statistics of imports and exports for the past year have just bean made available, and show Queensland’s total irapotts for the year at £7,185,112 and exports £9,591,552. In the homing pigeon race from Albury to Sydney, held on the 23rd nit, the time recorded by the winning bird is the 1 best in Australia for a fly of 280 miles, miles, being at the rate of 1227 yards per minute. The bird is owned by Mr A. Quinton. The second bird made 1220 yards and the third 1125 yards per minute.

Arrangements are being made between the Agricultural and Education Departments of Queensland to have instruction in dairying given at public schools by the dairy export, Mr Winks, •

A nugget of gold, weighing 2230z5, and valued at £750, is reported to have been found at Ebabgoolah, Queensland, by a man named Andy, late of Croydon. A local preacher named Thomas Hampton, aged 60, went down the Day Dawn gold mine at Charters Towers, and fell into a shaft. Ho was killed instantly,

A cattle dealer named A. Salter was fined £2O and £6 18s lOd costs at definable, Noth South Wales, for exposing a diseased bullock for sale. An information for criminal libel Has been issued at the instance of Dr Teague> of Kanowna, West Australia, against T. Edwards, de-crib( d as the publisher of the Sun newspaper. Toe alleged libel was published on 28th July, and was headed “a muzzy medico.”

The West Australian Government has appointed the following gentlemen to constitute a board to enquire into the charge made against the General Manager of the Railways:—Mr Pendleton (South Australia), Captain Laurie (Fremantle)* and Mr Alfred whaw(Kalgoorlie).

In "West Australia the Government recently put into operation a new system under which civil servants are required to remain in their offices until half-past 4 p. m. An effort is to be made on their behalf to induce the Government to allow work to terminate cn Saturdays at noon.

Dr. Sydney Jones stated at a public meeting at the Sydney Town Hall that a person in the advanced stage of consumption liberated into the atmosphere every twenty-four hours about 720 millions of bacilli. These could bo multiplied by 8000, which was about the number of persons suffering from an advanced stage of consumption in Australasia. The New South Wales Commissioners have given instructions for the erection of fifteen more grain sheds at country centres, having au aggregate capacity of 300,000 bags. In regard to the appointment of Federal Military Commandant, the Commonwealth Government intends to rely absolutely on the nomination and recommendation of Lord Roberts. On reliable information, it is stated that General Hutton has not been so nominated, although such recommendation would be satisfactory to the Federal Government. Etiquette requires that in Chinese conversation each should compliment the other and everybody belonging to him in the most laudatory style, and depreciate himself. The following is no exaggeration, though, perhaps, not the precise words used:—“What is your honorable name? “My insignificant appellation is Wong.” W here is your magnificent pal ace? “My contemptible hut is in Tuhan.” “How many aro your illustrious children ? ” “My vile worthless brai s are five.” “How is your distinguished spouse?” “My'mean good-for-nothing old women is well.”

At Horsham (Victoria) on September 28 a young lady named Miss Emma Mansfield was attacked by a supposed madman, who gashed her throat with a razor, laying open the windpipe and severing one of the large arteries. But prompt medical treatment stopped the flow of blood, and it is expected she will recover. A man named Sloane, aged 31, has been arrested.

Sir Thomas Lipton is reported to have said that he would give every penny he had, and begin again at the bottom of the ladder, to win the American Cup. An important seizure of smuggled goods was effected at Sydney on September 30 by customs officers. The movements of a Chinese had aroused suspicions for some time, and owing to the rccem arrival of a boat from China a close watch was kept upon him. He was traced from the steamer to the landing place at Glebe Point. He unconsciously led the officers to a hidden store of 3000 cigars and 300 packages of tobacco, and was then arrested and taken with the goods to the police station, where he gave the ’name of Ah Wing. The Golden Sand Company (Westport) continue operations this week. Part of the claim is likely to be worked by means of dredging.

The United States Government recently sent 300 teachers to the Philipines, all unmarried, and selected among other reasons, because they had no family ties. One hundred of these were ladies, and with ludicrous lack of foresight, the entire party were accomodated in one ship. Tho opportunities for flirtation were such that seven days on the Pacific, resulted in thirty engagements which were quickly turned into marriages at the first stopping place, the Ha. waiian. Islands. The dusky Filipino children, who are supposed to bo eagerly waiting for a chance to learn the American language, seem likely to wait in vain for tho spinster “Yankee school marm,” so popular in fiction. It is not believed that one will reach the schoolhouse door unsnared. The voyage was only a third over at the Sandwich Islands.

As £. M. Sampson, a shepherd employed by Messrs Fitzgerald Bros., of Avoca (Tasmania), was driving some sheep in from one of the runs recently he was surprised by the sudden appearance of a big native tiger. The animal quickly made off, but Sampson pursued him in hot haste. The animal soon got away, but by the aid of a dog his whereabouts were again discovered. The brute turned to attack the horse, but the plucky rider despatched him with a thick stick. The tiger is said to be one of the largest specimens ever seen in Northern Tasmania.

Ths residents of Yanac (Victoria), especially the women, have been terrorised by the appearance of a “ wild man,” who, after difficulty, was arrested in the scrub near the South Australian border. The man gave the name of Finnigan, and admitted that he had not had a wash “ for many years.” His head was surrounded with a wonderful shock of matted hair, and he wore a long, matted, unkempt beard. His attire was simply rags. He was sent to gaol for four months on a charge of being an idle and disorderly person, and having no visible means of support. Evidence was produced to show that the man lived in the bush on rabbits, but that ho sometimes went into the small towns to beg.