INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1273, 1 July 1870, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

> VICTORIA. : The first sod of the North-eastern line of Railway was turned on the 20th by the Commissioner of Railways, in the presence of a number of gentlemen invited by the and about 500 working men. '" 'The ceremony came off with great eclat. -•' On the 18th the ten-mile race between. Mat Higgins, the Victorian long-distance champion runner, and Alfred Austin, the New South Wales pedestrian, was run. After a close contest, Higgins, when within 300 yards of the goal, started away from his antagonist, and came in a winner by 120 yards, in 67 £ minutes. The Intercolonial Conference began its sittings on the 20th shortly after twelve o'clock. There were present the following delegates : — Messrs Cowperand Samuels, from New South Wales; Messrs Barrow, Townsend, and Hart, from South Australia ; Messrs Wilson and Chapman from Tasmania. Victoria was represented by Messrs M'Culloch and Francis. The vote for immigration, which amounts to £65,000 has been passed by the Legislative Assembly, together with the new regulations submitted by the Government. The regulations are not so liberal as those framed by the Macphersoa Administration, and do not differ materially from those which have been in force for some years past. Under them the only persons who can obtain absolutely free passages are female domestic servants. All others must be nominated by their friends, and a portion of the passagemoney, varying according to age and sex from £1 to £8, must be paid for them. At the Criminal Sessions at the Supreme Court, on the 1 6th, before his Honor Mr Justice Barry, Dr. Dobson applied for the postponement of the trial of Gerald H. Supple until next sittings, and read an affidavit of Mr J. B. Reynolds, solicitor, stating that Mr James Williams was present when the shot was fired that killed Mr Walshe. Counsel recommended that Mr Williams, who is now in New Zealand, should be present. Mr Reynolds, in his affidavit, went on to say that Mr Williams 1 will swear that the statement contained in the deposition of Mr Walshe that Supple pointed the pistol at Walshe prior to the discharge which caused his death is untrue. This witness could be produced at the next sittings of the courf. Mr Duniie said he did not intend to oppose the application. The affidavit made by the prisoner's attorney, Mr Reynolds, contained an allegation that the absence of a material witness rendered it unsafe for the prisoner to proceed to trial. He wished it to be distinctly understood that he was not to be taken as concurring in the view that, even supposing that the witness deposes to all that is mentioned, he would be a material witness. He was not, therefore, to be taken as concurring in any way with that statement in the observations of his learned friend, Dr. Dobson. At the same time, he could not, in the position he occupied, ignore the fact that the eminent couusel who defend the prisoner have, as the affidavit states, advised that such evidence is, in their opinion, material. In a capital case, and •from the position of the witness referred to, he did not feel at liberty to offer, any opposition to the postponement. His Honor said he would grant the application, but hoped it would not be made a precedent, Sir J. F. Palmer President of the Legislative Council, has been for some time, and is still unable, through illness, to attend to his duties in that Chamber. Mr Chomley, of the Crown Law department, has been appointed to the Crown prosecutorship, which was rendered vacant by the appointment of Mr Nolan as County judge.