INTERCOLONIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 101, 29 April 1881, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL.

MKLnotmxE, Thursday. The Melbourne Presbytery have been sitting for the past two dnys in connection with the case against the Rev Chas. Strong in reference to his article on the atonement in the Victorian Review. The Presbytery has adjourned without as yet arriving at any decision.

Thursday. The Victorian census returns taken on the night of the 3rd inst. give the population of Melbourne aud its environs at 252,000$ Sandhurst 35,000 ; Ballarat 43,000, and Geelong 13.000.

It has transpired that at a meeting of the Melbourne Presbytery a motion by the Re? Ballautine was adopted expressing regret *t the character of Rev C. Strong's Articles in the Victorian Review, P.r.G recommending a closer adhesion to the standards of Presbyteriauisrn on the part of that gentleman.

Friday. The captain and owner of the steamer India alias Ferret, which has been seiKed by the Customs for sailing under a false register, is missing, The crew have aban* doned the vessel. They assert that they were threatened and forced to eilence by the ciptain. They were engaged nt Cardiff for three years, and went to the Brazils for a cargo of coffee, which was sold at the Cap c for £150. The name of the vossel was twice changed. From the Cape Bhe proceeded to Mauritius, aud from thence to this port, where the captain endeavored to Bell the vessel. It is proved that her papers have been forged. Sydney, Thursday. A number of capitalists in this city and Melbourne are making arrangements for stocking an extensive track of unoccupied country in the Northern territory. Ifc is stated that 50,000 head of cattle will be placed upon the land as soon as the negotiations are completed. It is believed that this enterprise will inaugurate an extensive occupation of Northern Australia for cattle breeding. Sailed — Ringarcoma, for Russell. Friday. A crowded and influential meeting was held last night to discuss the present influx of Chinese. It was resolved to send a deputation to the Government to urge the necessity for repressive measures against the Chinese immigrati-wj.