INTERCOLONIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1547, 8 March 1872, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

o Melbourne, Feb. 29th. Diphtheria is so prevalent at Smythesdale that it has been decided to close the common vested school there. The site of the borough is very flat, and badly adapted to drainage. Captain Collard, iate master of the ship Sussex, has been sentenced to one month's imprisonment for losing his ship. A memorial praying for a commutation of the sentence, has been forwarded to the Governor. Some splendid stone was obtained from the United Kingdom claim, Majorca, on the 29th. One piece of seven pounds' weight contained one pound weight of gold. The purchasers of the wreck of the Sussex are likely to make a good thing of the transaction. The original cargo was i valued at £44,000, and many of the shareholders in the venture believe that, j taking the high prices the goods are ' fetching into consideration, they will make £1,000 each profit on their bargain. The Argus of the 29th says : — The Hon. Julius Yogel will have another interview with the Chief Secretary on the subject of the New Zealand mail service via San Francisco, but unless he very much modifies his propositions, his mission will be a useless one. He asks this colony to pay a subsidy of £25,000 per annum, whilst New Zealand herself, to whom the service is of the most value by far, would then only pay £35,000. She would also be the terminus of the line, the Victorian service being only a branch, and carried on by intercolonial steamers, or in other words Victoria is asked to pay £25,000 for a mere branch service. What Mr Yogel asks £25,000, for, Mr Hall's company offered to perform for £10,000, and for £20,000 that company offered to make Melbourne the terminus. We believe we are correct in stating that the Grovernment will entertain no proposition that does not provide for the American steamers coming right through to Melbourne. The Argus has been shown the following passage in a private letter from an authority in the Peninsular and Oriental service: — "The introduction of Australian butter and jams to our ships has been a great success, and I think we shall be able to avail ourselves of — to some extent at least — your soups and meat. Not only are all these articles cheaper than anything we can get from home, but their quality is very much superior." James Gloster, a member of the firm of Dobinson and Gloster, of Seymour, reports that he was stuck up at Avenel, on the 24th ult., at 4 o'clock. A man entered the waggon ia which he was sleeping, and presented a pistol at him. A struggle ensued, in the course of which GHoster succeeded in gaining possession of the pistol ; but the scoundrel got off, leaving his hat behind him. The pistol was discovered to be unloaded. Tlie same eveuing, whilst returning home, and when about six miles east of Seymour, GHoster was again stuck up, but not by the same man. The fellow presented a loaded gun at his head, and ordered him to " bail up." He discharged the weapon, and the shot entered near the right collar-bone, but no serious d.image was occasioned. This man also escaped. The police having received information and a description of the men, have started in search. The sale of eight young bulls in which the Booth and Butterfly strains are combined, took place on the 27th ult. in the grounds of the National Agricultural Society. They were imported by Messrs Dalgety, Blackwood and Co., Mr J. Gr. Dougharty officiating as auctioneer. The eight made an aggregate of £1,400, or an average of £183 15s, the highest figure — 300 guineas — being realised for General Hopewell, to the bid of Mr Gf. B. Mackinnon. At the same time was sold a colonial bull, Grand Duke, bred by the Hon. W. Degraves ; he fell for £126 to Mr C. H. Barber, of the Upper Murray. Although our harvest is finished, we are still unable to state anything definite regarding the yield. The aggregate is certain to be large for Victoria ; moreover, the metropolis is being supplied, almost for the first time for many years, with wheat the growth of this colony. Supplies, however, have not come forward so abundantly as to cause a glut, or even to make an easy market. Sydney. Mr Browne, the opposition candidate, has been elected for Patrick Plains, and Mr Clarke, a Ministerialist, for Eden. Mr J. B. Wilson, Minister of Lands, and four others, have been nominated for Liverpool Plains. Mr Bennet had the show of hands. Mr Byrnes, the Minister of Works, is expected to contest Hartley. The Eesident Magistrate at Maitland, Mr Bryan, was drowned whilst bathing in the Hunter River. A frightful accident has occurred at Mayor's Creek. A miner named Stubbins, whilst examining a blast, had his head blown off. The charge is supposed to have missed fire. The Oriental Bank has reduced the interest, discount, and overdrawn account rates. The Bayonaise brings 400 tons of Madagascar sugar. Sales of Martell's brandy have been made at 6s 10^d for quarters. New maize, 2s 6d ; wheat, 5s 6d to 6s. Tobacco is rising in value. The latest betting on the -Gold Cup is 100 to 14 agst Florence, 100 to 12 agst Tim Whiffler, 10 to 1 agst Sir William. 200 to 10 has been taken about Flying Dutchman. Javelin is the favorite for the Leger at 2 to 1. The Prophet and Hamlet each 3 to 1. The 27th ult. was observed as a public holiday. Thanksgiving services were beld in all places of worship, and the Te ADeum was sung in the Catholic churches. The complete [returns from Camden have been received, and the result shows the election of Mr Thos. Garrett and i, Captain Onslow, the Opposition candi*

dates. Mr Roberts, the Ministerialist was lowest on the poll. The full returns from East Maitland give Mr Scholey, the Opposition candididate, a small majority over Mr Dodds. Mr Webb, a supporter ofthe Ministry has been returned for West Macquarie. Mr Lord ( Treasurer) will be strongly opposed at the Bogan. Mr Pittman. a squatter of Carco.ir, died on Saturday from the effects of poison. A barn and a quantity of wheat have been destroyed by an incendiary, near Braidwood. Ingot tin from the Elsmore Mine has been sold at £168 per ton. The Peveril, from Melbourne, on a pearl fishing expedition, has put in here to repair her sails. Two other tin mines closed their share lists on the 26th. The Highflyer takes the first shipment of ore to Londou. R.M.S. Baroda takes 12,000 soys, 4160z gold, and 2,8000z silver. The Catherine Lord, from tihe South Seas, brings a small cargo of produce, but reports nothing important. Exi'hangfi nn Londou % per cent. premium. The Omer et Julie has brought 300 tons of Hong Kong Company's sugar. Fiji via Sydney. Fiji advices to 10th inst. state that the British residents had formed themselves into a mutual protection society to resist the taxes imposed by Mr Burt and his colleagues. The probabilities of a conflict with the Grovernment wero increasing. Beisbane. The machine at Gym pie crushed five times from January 24th to February 17th, in all 1,033 tons stone, which yielded 2,2650z gold. During the same period the United machine had four crushings and 582 tons produced a yield of 2,3980z. Stone from Smithfield and Monkland reef is going through. Large piles of quartz are waking the arrival of the new 40 stamper machine. Large nuggets have been found at the new rush known as Charles Towers. One weighs 1230z 14dwt. A boat belonging to the schooner Hannah Broomfield capsized in Cleveland Bay, and the second mate was drowned. His body was recovered. Monday, 4th, was appointed as a day of general thanksgiving for the recovery of the Prince of Wales. Adelaide. Mr G-lyde has given notice that he wiil move on the 29th, " That this House haa no confidence in the Ministry as at present constructed." It is supposed that a reconstruction of the Cabinet is aimed at. The cargo of Mauritius pugars ex Ayr was sold on the 28th. Brown rations, £28 12s 6d to £29 ; brewing crystals, £37 7s Gd to £3S ; light counters, £3S ; white crystals, £38 15s to £39 10s ; snowdrops, £47 6s. The National Marine Insurance Company's half-yearly report shows a net profit of £3,400, and a sum of £650 was p issed to the reserve fund, as well as £950 being carried forward. A dividend of 10 per cent, is proposed. The Cagli Opera Company had a very successful opening on the 27th. The cargo of Mauritius sugars ex Jane Bell was offered at auction on the 28th, but the biddings were very dull, and only 2,400 bags were sold. Brewing crystals fetched from £36 15s to £37 15s ; fine light brewing, £38 10s • yellow counters, £35 to £36 10s j fine snowdrop, £40 10s to £41. The Eight Eev. Dr Shiel, Eoman Catholic Bishop, is stated to be sinking fast. Prayers were offered for him in all the Catholic churches. Wheat remains firm at 5s 4d.