INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Issue 251, 22 August 1867, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

; Mixing Affkays on Ballakat. — The "Evening Post" of Augiist 1 says : — " Amongst our items of local intelligence will be found a paragraph . having reference to a malicious act committed by some person or persons, who last night broke the water main at the western extremity of Eyre street, evidently with a view of cutting off the supply of water to the Western Freehold and Southern Freehold Companies. This purpose, however, has been frustrated, for each Company had sufficient water in the tank to last until die repair of the pipe -was completed, a work which was effected late this afternoon. Tlui detectives are making every exertion to secure the perpetrators of the offence, and to aid them the Water Supply Committee has offered a reward of LSO, to be supplemented by an equal sum from the Southern Freehold Company, for the conviction of the parties implicated. This, no doubt, will effect the object desired. Meanwhile, the dispute between the Southern Freehold Company and Hand and Baud Company seems to be prosecuted with vigor, and we have been informed of several collisions between the workmen of the two companies. The Southern Freehold Company has forty-five or fifty men in each shift, and we believe we ai'o correct in stating that the Hand and Band Company has a much larger number 1 in its employ. As we reported yesterday, the Hand and Band Company from its workings at No 2 shaft, broke into the workings of the Southern Freehold Company, the level of the latter, however, being much higher than that of the opposing company. During the evening one or two attacks were made by the men of the Hand and Band Company upon those of the other company, who repelled the advance, and managed to retain their position. They in their turn made a counter charge upon the opposing force, who appear to have been compelled to beat a retreat, leaving behind them a few picks and other weapons which were seized by the Southern men, and can now be seen at the claim, Other attacks followed, and we have been informed that the parties assailed availed themselves of various' means in defence ; the most, ingenious, probably, being the conveyance of gravel through the pipes which by its downward course and the force of water acquired a velocity and strength dangerous to the assailants upon whom it was turned. This morn ing, according to a statement made to us by the manager of the Southern Freehold Company, the Hand and Baud party fired no less than three shots from guns or pistols. If this be the case, a climax has certainly been reached, and the authorities have every reason to resort to force to prevent the further continuation of the riot, Even with the use of pikes, staves, gravel and such other weapons, life is far from secure, but when the use of firears is resorted to, bloodshed will most probably ensueTherefore, we earnestly trust that the Government will act promptly in this matter, and so arrange that we shall hear no more of occurrences so highly disgraceful. The board of directors of the Southern Freehold Company were to meet at a late hour this afternoon to consider what action should be taken under the circumstances." The "Mansfield Courier" contains a I very cheering accounts of the quartz reefs discovered in its locality. " During the few weeks which have elapsed since the discovery of £he first quartz reef (the Empress) on the n\uges on the west side of Mansfield," says our contemporary, "the busy operations of the enterprising prospector have demonstrated beyond dispute that a highly auriferous tract of country has been opened up in that locality. It is now perfectly apparent that the existence of auriferous quartz" reefs in our hills is no mere hypothesis based upon the incidental discovery of a few specimens. The discoveries consist of solid reefs, several feet in thickness, accompanied by all the usual indications of permenancy and gold productiveness. A very important fact is that the precious metal has been found in all of them, and had we not actually seen the stone taken from the ground, we would scarcely have credited the riohness of many of the lodes," . We have Adelaide files to the 29th ultimo. The " Register" of that date contains a long report of a meeting of the unemployed -in Adelaide, and of an interview between a deputation from the meeting and the Government, The members of the deputation severally urged upon the members of the Government "the necessity for immediate action to relieve the prevailing distress

among the working classes, and a promise was given that immediate attention would be- paid to the subject. A Cabiuet meeting was forthwith held, Mr B. J. M'Carthy, as one_ of the deputation, stated that he thought 4s 6cl per day •would be a fair labor test tit the present tiutt. The Government have arranged with the Corporation to employ all men now..oiit pf work tit what is stated to be equivalent to that rate. The remains of the late Mr .Joseph Peacock, M.P., were interred the West-terrace Cemetery, on Saturday afternoon, 27th July. Impressive religious services, comprising prayej- and scripture reading, were held at the deceased gentleman's residence, at Glenelg, in the early part of the day, the officiating cleigyman being the lloy. C. Manthoi'pe, The 4 hearse, which was a large and imposing vehicle drawn by four horses, was ocorted by four bearers on cacJi side, and preceded by between 70 and 80, in couples, of the employees of the firm of which the deceased was a partner, about 30 of them belonging to the branch establishment at Hiudmarsli. The deceased was 'highly respected by the workmen, and his premature death '^oMtiy deplored by them. The burial ?ervice was conducted by the Bey. Charles- Manthorpe. There Were assembled round the grave at least between 200 and 300 mourners, including many of the leading colonists. Great fears are excited relative to the fate of the Heversham, engaged by the New Zealand Government for the transport of the men of her Majesty's 50th Regiment from Taranaki to Adelaide, and now considerably overdue."