INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 550, 27 July 1869, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

By the brigantine Prosperity, which arrived yeßterday, we have Melbourne papers to the 15th inst., from which we make the following extracts : — Oar obituary notice to-day announces the death of Mr S. Rentsch, formerly Swiss consul at Melbourne. Mr Rentsch left this city about twelve months since for Fiji, where he became associated with Messrs Hennings Brothers in carrying on an important industry — the crushing of cotton seed for oil. The decease of this gentleman was sudden. On the 2nd ult. he was seized with a severe attack of asthma, and died the day following. Few men could boast of having so many friends as Mr Rentsch, and his death will be lamented by a large circle of acquaintances in this country and in Europe. During the first visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh it will be remembered that he took under his especial patronage a native of Sydney, named Mr A. Anderson, as pianist. By thfi advice of his Royal Highness this gentleman went to England for the purpose of studying under the best masters. He has now returned to the colonies by the Norfolk, bringing with him a certificate from the Royal Academy, signed by Dr Sterndale Bennett, and Macfarren. It is highly probable that Mr Anderson will take up his residence in Melbourne for some time. "Some surprise has been expressed," observes the Hobart Town Mercury, "that the knighthood of our late Governor has not appeared in the lists already published from the London Gazette, but the reason of this is made known to us by a private letter received by the mail. The knighthood was tendered to Colonel Browne while in Tasmania, and was declined by him ; but on reaching England he was informed that it was offered at the express request of her Majesty, and was intended as a special honor. On learning this, Colonel Browne at once accepted it." " On the 6th inst," says the Launeeston Examiner, "Mr Henry Mason, of Norwich, discovered upon his run the remains of an elderly woman. He immediately reported the discovery to the Longford police. Mr Birch repaired to the spot, and recognised the clothing as that of his late housekeeper. She suddenly left her service (whilst mentally deranged, it is believed) in March last, and had evidently lost herself in the bush. At the time every endeavor was made by the police and through the press to trace the poor creature, but unsuccessfully." The Cornwall Chronicle reports the commission of a deliberate murder undei the following circumstances : — "A man named Patrick Kieley, a ploughman in the service of Mr A. F. Rooke, cut his wife's throat at their residence in Deloraine, on Wednesday night. The murderer then proceeded to the residence of a neighbor named Buckley, washed the blood from his hands, and then gave himself up to the police, stating that he committed the murder on account of jealousy, having on his return home one day about a week previous, found a man named Clarke, of Paddy's Scrub, in the house with his wife. It appears that Kieley formerly lived at Piver's River, but left his wife there, and took up with another woman. Subsequently, through the medium of the priest, Kieley left the woman, was reconciled to his wife, and they lived together peaceably for two years, until last week, when, after finding the man in the house with his wife, he applied to the police to know whether he could charge her with bigamy, as he alleged that she had been married to some other 1 man wh'le he was separated

from her. No action was taken by the police in the matter, and he then took the law into his own hands, and deliberately murdered the unfortunate woman." A kangaroo battue »t Thule is thus described by the Pastoral Times : — " Conspicuous among the attacking party were the principal partner of the firm,MrWolseley, and the manager of the Bank of Victoria at Echuca, Mr Archer, both of whom were well mounted. When some 500 of the kangaroos were dexterously driven throngh the fences to the verge of the pit dug for them, they halted — 'twas death to advance, and, apparently, destruction to retreat, but they chose the latter of the two evils, so they turned and charged their pursuers, some twenty horsemen. Such a formidable and singular enemy was not counted on by the assaulting party, who stood their ground well, but some of the horses got frightened, and refused to stand the charge of the 500, who came bounding forward in irregular line. Two prominent old men kangaroos were in advance of the others, and, as if they singled out the tallest of the besieging party, the two horsemen named were jumped over, if that could be called a jump which was between a bound and a ' fly.' Other kangaroos forced themselves between the legs of the horses — the tripod would 'prop,' like a knowing old stock horse, while almost in full speed, bringing himself up short, aided by his capacious tail. They have not only great speed, but considerable cunning, and when once roused for defensive action, the kangaroos are dangerous customers." Sydney, 13th inst. The Thetis has retnrned from the Douglas wreck, and reports the vessel intact on Elizabeth Reef, her masts still standing and her yards aloft. The sales of sugar show a firmer market. English advices state that the flying squadron will arrive in Melbourne about the 12th of November, and will remain there ten days. 14th inst. The R.M.S.S. Malta, on her present trip, takes gold and specie to the value of L 200,300. The Executive have decided to relieve Captain Hovell from irons, and will further consider his case after they have made an inquiry in the South Seas respecting the cruise of the Young Australian amongst the different islands. His Excellency the Governor dntends visiting the northern districts officially before leaving for Norfolk Island. Mr Butters, of Melbourne, has taken up some ground near Mudgee, for the purpose of diamond seeking. The shores in the Melbourne Diamond Mine Company meet with little favor here. Thunderbolt, the bushranger, has robbed the northern mail near Cassilis. Rails are now laid on the Western Railway within two miles of Bowenfells. Adelaide, 13th inst. The audit commissioners have reported, and recommend an alteration in the present mode of keeping the accounts. They presented a model balance-sheet showing a deficit in last year exceeding L 200,000. The non-official members recommend the rendering of adults independent of the Government. The Almanda silver mining returns give 16oz. to the ton for a large quantity. Diannondsare stated to exist atEchunga, and several have been found there. The Board of Education have furnished the Government with recommendations for a new Education Bill. 14th inst. The Government schooner Flinders passed a vessel bottom up off Cape Northumberland. The wreck is believed to be the same as seen by the Alexandra. From the audit commissioners' report it seems that large payments have been made in the engineer's office without audit. The meeting respecting a sugar company in the Northern Territory has been postponed to give time to collect more information on the subject. The civil action brought by the Government against the Lite railway goods contractors for L 14,000 is now proceeding, and likely to last some time. An action for false imprisonment, Meyer v. Solomon, resulted in a verdict for plaintiff, damages L 350. The defendant is son of Mr J. M. Solomon, lately of Melbourne. The charges against two Episcopalian clergymen, for certain ritualistic practices, have been forwarded to the bishop. The Hunt Club intend holding a steeplechase for a gold cup in October next. The cargo of the Jane Bell was offered at auction to-day. 150 bags were sold at a fair advance, and the rest withdrawn for higher prices. The market for breadstuffs is still in an nn settled state.