LATEST INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 540, 3 July 1869, Page 3

LATEST INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

By the arrival of the s.s. Alhambra last evening, we are in possession of files of Melbourne papers to the 25th ult. We make the following extracts from the Argus : — Mr John Brown (father of Mr Gavin Gibb Brown, stock and share broker) died suddenly in a railway cai'riage while returning from chnrch on Sunday, the 20th ult The Sandridge Town-hall is to be built after all. ."The weight of the principal diamond found on the Cudgegong is stated to be under 6 carats. Frederick Weigart was brought before the magistrates in the City Court on the 24th ultj for the fifth time, charged with being implicated in the murder of Bridget Lynch, on the sth May, and again remanded. After a longer debate than has ever previously taken place upon any measure placed before a Victorian Legislature, the Becond reading of the Land Laws Amendment Bill was on the 23rd ult. agreed to by a majority of fifty-one to fifteen. Mr J. S. Butters made hia appearance in the Legislative Assembly on the 23rd ult., for the first time since his re-election for Portland. He was introduced by Mr Whiteman and Mr B. G. Davies, and, having subscribed the usual oath, took his seat in the Ministerial corner, Richard Davis, a young man who was stabbed by James Donnelly, on the 14th mat., for interfering to protect the wife of the latter from the brutality of her husband, still lies in the Melbourne Hospital in a somewhat precarious state. The report of the commission appointed to inquire into the sanity of the murderer Ritson, has at last, after a long and careful consideration, been agreed on. The main feature of the report is, that at the time of the murder of the Rev. Mr Hill, Bitson was legally responsible for his acts, "• and that the murder was premeditated. Eariy on the morning of the 24th ult. the side- wall of the Mechanics' Restaurant, ' situated in Bourke street, fell in with a great crash. The accident was caused by the excavations being made for the foundations of the new arcade, the contractor not having takeu proper measures to snp- * vori the will. The state of Allen's Gin Palace in Bourke street is beginning to attract notice", and many persons prefer walking in the street to passing along the footpath, notwithstanding the strong supports to the front of the building. The Launceston Times mentions that Mr " D. Boom, of that* town, has offered a noble gift through the Municipal Council to the people of Launceston of 400 forest trees, 160 of which are oak, and 240 ash, sycamore, and elm. This benevolent donation is coupled with but one condition, that the Council plant the trees in the ground reserved for the people's park, near the butts on the eastern swamp, and alongside the George Town road. Sydney, June 19. Captain Daggett, of the captured slaver Daphne, was brought before the police court to-day, on the charge of being engaged in the slave-trade, and was remanded till Tuesday. Bail was allowed. June 21. The Aerated Bread Company have commenced the manufacture of bread in this city. Morris Giddons, the chief lighthousekeeper's son, fell over the cliffs at South Head to-day, and was drowned. His body has not yet been found. Mr Watt, barrister, from Victoria, who arrived here under instructions to attend the Tichbourne Commission, has been admitted to the Sydney bar. The Tichbourne Commission commenced their sittings to-day. Mr Guilfoyle, formerly gardener to the family, was the only witness examined. The British Consul at Samoa, one of the islands in the South Seas, has sent a- despatch here, asking for a man-of-war to be commissioned to visit the islands. He reports the place in revolt, and a keen contention for the sovereignty of the island amongst the different native tribes. There had been great slaughter. The old king party so far had been successful, and after the battle had indulged their cannibal propensities on the slain. During their barbarous revelries they tore down the British consul's flag, and destroyed several plantations, threatening the lives of the white population. June 22. The Tichbourne Commission, after examining five witnesses here, will proceed to Wagga Wagga to collect further evidence. Mr Isaacs has been retained for the infant heir. So traces have yet been found of the body of young Siddons, who fell over the cliffs at South Head. The first free library in New South Wales was opened last uight at Newtown. Archdeacon Lloyd, of Auckland, has been appointed to an English living by Bishop Selwyn, Constable Ferris shot himself at Pen- . rith to-day. Captain Dagget's trial was resumed today,, and has been further adjourned to Thursday next. A contract has been accepted for the extension of the electric telegraph to Gabo Island. Messrs Vale and Lacy, and Russell and Co., have obtained the contracts for the supply of railway rolling stock. The judges have decided that Josiah's evidence against Hovell was valid. Other points against conviction are to be argued to-morrow. At a meeting of shipmasters it. was decided to petition Government respecting leajiien arresting masters on civil suits

.for trifling assaults, several such cases having recently occurred hero. June 23. The Supreme Court have overruled the whole of the objections raised in favor of Captain Hovell, now lying under sentence of death for the Polynesian murders on board the Young Australian, and confirmed the conviction. Wallis, a traveller for the firm of Messrs Owt«n "and Co, has been committed for trial for embezzlement. Thunderbolt, the bushranger, has reappeared in his old haunts, and resumed his criminal career in the Northern district. _j Tim Whiffler is a strong favorite for the Metropolitan, with Glencoe next. June 24. A grand Masonic banquet and ball are to be given to-night. The Executive are likely to consider Captain Hovell's case to-morrow. A case of Asiatic cholera has been reported here, which has resulted fatally, but the report is generally discredited. The case of the slaver Daphne has advanced a stage to-day, and has been further adjourned till to-morrow. Adelaide, June 19. The only tender received by the Government for the construction here of a new locomotive for the Port Wakefield line is at the price of L 2400, as compared with a cost iv England of about L9OO, to which may be added freight, &c,, L 300; making the cost of the colonial article just double that of the imported. The ships Benlediand Peeress are likely to take a number of horses to the Indian market. June 21. A despatch is to be forwarded to the Northern Territory by the Gulnare, authorising Mr Goyder, the surveyor-general, to return to South Australia as soon as he has completed the survey of 500,000 acres. After his return the permanent staff of officers will probably be forwarded by steamer. His Excellency the Governor visits the Barossa diggings next week. The Anglican Bishop of Adelaide lays the foundation-stone of the new Cathedral of St. Peter's on the 29th inst. The Rev. Mr Henderson, Presbyterian minister, has received a threatening letter to the effect that his death is certain if he goes ou with his advertised lecture at the Port on the subject of tratisubstantiation and the mass. The letter is believed to be from some infatuated zealot. Jane 24. The miningexcitement continues, chiefly caused by highly favorable news from the Prince Alfred and neighboring mines. No less than 220 mineral sections have been taken up during the last six weeks, Hobart Town, June 19. The whaler Waterwitch is reported in Jarvis Bay with forty-nine tuns of sperm oil, eleven months out. June 21. Since the reduction in the telegraph charges for messages, the revenue has nearly doubled. The Government intend appropriating the moneys derived under the Escheated Property Act for the purchase of books for the public libraries at Hobart. Town and Launceston, and to providing furniture for the Hobart Town Library. j The Waterwitch and Othello, whalers, | have both arrived in the river. June 23. The Tasmanian Presbytery met to-day at St. Andrew's Church, the Rev John Gardiner moderator. The question of union with the Presbyterian Church in Victoria came on for discussion, but was deferred on account of the former resolution of the Presbytery for obtaining the assent of the congregation not having been carried out. The official declaration of the poll for the city took place to-day, when the Mayor (as returning officer) declared Mr Cook duly elected a member to serve in the Legislative Assembly. Launceston, June 23. Mr L. Cohen has not stopped payment. The failure of Mr White is confirmed. Mr Sherwin has resigned his seat in the Legislative Council on account of severe illness. The affairs of Messrs Gaunt and Co., corn merchants, are in a fair way of being arranged satisfactorily to-morrow. Pokt Victor, June 23. The schooner Pilot, Captain Hams, master, from Western Australia, bound to Melbourne, has put in here for provisions. She is three weeks out, and otherwise all well.