INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 361, 7 May 1868, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

We (Argiis, 18th ult.) publish to-day copioa of iniiiortant despatches recently received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The most important is the reply to the address adopted by the Legislative Council to her Majesty the Queen upon the subject of the Darling Grant, and the others have reference to the judgment of the Supreme Court in Alcock v. Fergie, and the rejection of the last Temporary Supply Bill by the Legislative Council. With regard to the Darling Grant, the Duke of Buckingham, whilst appreciating the motives which have induced the Legislative Council to refuse | the Appropriation Bill, doubts whether the proposed grant is such a violation of the existing rule as "to call for the extreme measure of forbidding the Governor to be a party, under the advice of his responsible Ministers, to those formal acts which are necessary to bring the grant under the consideration of the local Parliament ;" and goes on to say that if the recent election shall have proved that a large proportion of the people of the colony are in fayor of the grant, it is for the Council itself to decide whether it is desirable that it should continue to oppose j the grant. In the matter of Alcock v. Fergie, the Colonial Secretary merely expresses his approval of the resolution of the Governor to be guided by the decision of the Supreme Court in all proceedings regarding the issue of public money ; and in his last despatch he regrets the refusal of the Council to pass the Temporary Supply Bill. On the 20th ult., in a moment of temporary insanity, an attempt on his life was made by Mr A. Lazarus, importer, Elizabeth street. Fortunately it was not successful, and aid being at hand, he is now in a fair way of recovery, under competent care. Mr Lazarus has been engaged lately in winding up his affairs here, with a view to return to London, and there to settle for life, the possessor of a handsome competency. The "Loyal Liberal Reform Association," as the Ministerial following have now choaen to disignate themselves, was inaugurated on the 20th ult., at a public meeting, at St. Georges-hall. With the exception of the speakers being different, the proceedings were -almost identical with those at previous inauguration meetings, and the speeches were but a re-hash of those which Mr Higinbotham has delivered on the power of the Assembly ; and, like most hashes, were very bad indeed. Mr. M,Combie, Mr. D. Blair, and Mr. J. G. Carr, M.L.A.\j, and Mr. Graham Berry, were theprincipalspeakers, by whom resolutions were proposed approving of the principles of the league and

appointing the council. The hall was tilled by about 1,200 persons, the proceedings being conducted in a very quiet manner, though some impatience was manifested at the tediousness of Mr. M'Combie's oration. By the ship John Temperley, which arrived last week from Calcutta, there has been imported into this colony a pure Arab stallion of high-caste pedigree and distinction there by his successful preformances on the turf. The arrival of an Arab horse of this character calls for special mention, as no doubt the original introduction of thebloodinEuglandteuded more than anything else to the improvement of the racehorse. Such a horse as this ahould get admirable stock for the Indian market, as an} r horses sent from here with a strain of Ai'ab blood in them always command a high price there. The pedigree accompanying the horse, with its parchment and seals, and sworn translation, is quite a curiosity in its way.