INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 48, 23 December 1871, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

We learn from the “ Sydney Morning Herald” that a deputation, consisting of seventeen promoters of the expedition to New Guinea, had an interview with the Colonial Secretary. One of the members of the deputation said that they had been appointed by a resolution adopted at a public meeting, and they were deputed to ask that some of the old rifles now lying idle in the Government stores might be given to the expedition to defend themselves from the attacks of the natives of New Guinea. 1 1 was proposed that the expedition should start, on the 20th of this month. Subscriptions had been requested to enable the members of the expedition to prolong their stay : and they hoped that, as the Government had granted £SOO to the Royal Society for scientific purposes, it would also grant some smaller amount to this expedition in the interest of exploration and discovery. They also thought that the Government should do something to countenance the expedition ; but if the Government would not take steps to frame rules and regulations according to the Constitution, they must draw rules for the preservation of order amongst themselves. Mr Robertson said that he did not see how the Government of this colony could give the expedition any authority whatever ; and as to lending them arms, he was not sure about that either, for that would in some way be committing the Government to the enterprise. If the Government put arms into their hands, and if they used those weapons indiscreetly, unwisely, or improperly, the Government would be somewhat to blame. As to giving money for the purpose of discovery, we knew the island very well already. He had seen it himself. He was afraid the Government could not help them. This colony had no power there ; none but the Imperial authorities could interfere He should like very much to see something done there, and, as a proof of it, he would remind them that two or three

years ago he presided at a meeting got up by Mr Keith Collins, and he took some interest in it. His sympathy was with them, but he did not think that we could act in any way as a Government. A member of the deputation asked whether the Government would take any steps to prevent the expedition from leaving the port; and stated that the expedition was not hostile to the natives, but was meant rather to conciliate them. Mr Robertson said that he did not think that the Government would interfere in any way, except by then’ prayers that they (the members of the expedition) might co all the good they could for themselves, and do no harm to the natives. ITe promised to lay their request before his colleagues. There is a rumor prevalent in Sydney, which we have reason to believe is wellfounded, to the effect that the Chief Justice, Sir Alfred Stephen, has tendered, or is about to tender, his resignation, in order to retire on his pension. According to official precedent, the At-torney-General, Sir James Martin, will, on Sir Alfred. Stephen’s retirement, be entitled to the Chieftainship of the Bench : and, looking at the surrounding circumstances, it can hardly be doubted that Sir James’s claim will be admitted by his Excellency the Governor and his ministerial advisers ; in which case we may shortly look for important political as well as judicial changes. Other rumors state that a new Chief Justice is to be had from England, and

some will have it that Sir William Manning is to succeed Sir Alfred Stephen. We do not pretend to be better acquainted with these matters than our neighbors, but think it most likely that the first-mentioned rumor is correct — viz, that Sir James Martin will be Sir Alfred Stephen’s successor. The deepest mine at Sandhurst is 810 feet in depth. Legs of mutton are selling in Melbourne at 6d to Is each. The formation of sparrow clubs has been mooted in Victoria. The weather in South Australia has been very wet and stormy. The sugar - growing industry in Queensland is making rapid strides. Sixteen Presbyterian preachers are among the unemployed in Victoria. The Simonsen troupe are about to leave Australia for Europe, via California.

The number of Chinese members ot the Church of England in Victoria is thirty-six. A metropolitan railway station is to be erected in Sydney at a cost ot £12,500. 150 fat sheep were found lately at the bottom of an old shaft near Alexandra. Horses were lately sold at pound sales at Burrowa, N.S.W., at from 3d to 6d each. The harvest prospects in Tasmania are excellent. Eleven sly-grog sellers at Gympie were lately find in the aggregate amount of £ll 5. At Tam worth a hen laid an egg which produced two chickens with twelve toes each. In Melbourne a woman burst a bloodvessel in a fit of coughing, and died immediately. The Catholic Temperance Hall, Syd ney, is to be erected by the sale of 5000 shares of £1 each. The Melbourne Ice Company has declared a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent per annum. 48 companies, with 1,888,870 shares, were registered at Bendigo lately iu a single week. The rates collected in Ballarat this year are 25 per cent more than in any previous one. The “ Australasian” considers that cholera may at any moment make its appearance in Melbourne. The total cost of construction of the North-eastern Railway, Victoria, will be about £987,000. Boiling-down is expected to become more general in Victoria this year than it has ever been before. The salary of the Mayor of Melbourne for the ensuing year has been fixed at the usual amount—£looo. An attempt has been made to destroy the Scandinavian Music Hall, Sydney, with explosive chemicals. Mr David Nesbitt, better known as “ Scotch Jock,” has gone home for another lot of Clydesdales. .

A comet is reported to have been seen at Waterloo, near Beaufort, Victoria, at noon on the Bth November. The Victorian Government will shortly submit to Parliament a scheme for the better arming of the volunteers. It is proposed to extend the Ballarat Water Works, at a cost of £170,000. The present works costs dB 150,000. Steps are being taken to have Victoria properly represented at the London International Exhibition next year. The amount realised at the fancy fair lately held at Geelong, on behalf of the Catholic Orphanage there, was £OOO. The meeting of the Victorian Rifle Association this year was by far the largest affair of the kind known in Victoria. The personalty of the late Mr James Gordon, a settler in the Western district, Victoria, has been sworn under £83,000. The rabbit nuisance in Tasmania is assuming alarming dimensions. The rabbits threaten to eat out the sheep altogether. At Currajong, N.S.W., a child was lately drowned by falling into a pickling tub containing only two inches of water. The Colac Meat Preserving Co. has been paying 30 per cent for borrowed money, with which to carry on operations.