INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 536, 24 June 1869, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Mr Grant's new Land Bill has been distributed among members of Parliament, and throughout the -country, and is considered generally satisfactory in its pro-r visions. The twice-tried action, "Bank of Van Dieman's Land v. Bank of Victoria, is finished. A verdict has been given Kr defendants on the fifth and sixth counts, with one shilling damages. Leave has been reserved to move for the full amount in banco. Mr Ireland, Q.C., proceeds to Sydney immediately, having been retained in the Tichborne Baronetcy case. He will then go to Tasmania, to appear for the defence in the action " Overell and Another v. Robertson and Heywood." The Ballarat people are initiating a public subscription in aid of the State prisoners recently pardoned in Western Australia. The first whaler fitted out in Victoria, the Japan, has met with good success. Sydney has entered the Barb for the Melbourne Cup, contrary to expectation. The investigation into the circumstances attending the murder of Mr Halligan, the gold broker, has resulted in the committal for trial of the man Archibald on a charge of wilful murder. Palmer, his accomplice, and who is believed to have fired the fatal shot, is still at large. The inquiry lasted over four days, during which time upwards of sixty witnesses were examined. The other two prisoners, Williams and Taylor, arrested on suspicion, will be brought up oa Thursday. The Ballarat and Moliagiil Company have struck stone estimated to yield two ounces to the ton. The building adjoining that occupied by Messrs Lane and Co., shipchandlers, in Lower George street, Sydney, fell in on 20th inst., burying a boy named Stewart. Steps were immediately taken to extricate the lad, who, when released, was found to be only slightly injured. A rosh has taken place to Nuggety-hill, Sofala, where good prospects are reported to have been obtained iv deep sinking. Two bushrangers (Vennell and Keevill) have been committed for trial on a charge of robbing the Goulburn mail. Bail was applied for but refused. The brig Sarah Pile has just arrived from Port Natal, bringing files of Durban papers to the end of March. Much disappointment exists regarding the gold mines on the frontier, and a good many of the Australian miners who had arrived in the colony had already re-embarked, or were about to do so, with the view of juturningiwhe.nce they came.