INTERCOLONIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1582, 24 May 1872, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbotjbite, May 16. A Permissive Bill has been introduced into Parliament. The debate on the Reply to the G-overnor's speech was still proceeding. It was expected to terminate on the 16fch, the result being doubtful.J The delay in the arrival of the San Francisco mail has been urged against the Victorian contribution to that service. The arrangement entered into by Mr Duffy and Mr Yogel is condemned by the Press as unfavorable to Victoria. The JJev. Mr Inglis, before the Presbyterian Church Assembly, pleaded guilty to a charge of plagiarising a lecture delivered by him some time ago, and expressed contrition for his conduct. He was publicly rebuked from the Moderator's chair, several dissentients being in favor of his being suspended for three months. "Wilkie, who was convicted of the murder of Pensotn at Daylesford, is to be executed on the 20th. A nugget weighing 421bs Bozs has been found at Dunolly. Street tramways have been proposed in Melbourne, but meet with great opposition. A new Theatre is to be erected on the site of the Royal, and also an Arcade on the aite of the Haymarket. The opera season was commenced with great success. In the Benalla Shire Council the members had a quarrel, ending in blows. Mr Lazarus, the original proprietor of the Lazarus Company, Kyneton, had for his last fortnight's dividend out of the Lazarus New Chum Company £3,982 2s

3 6d. He holds over 21,000 shares in the t company cum No. 1, and was offered last 3 week by a party of speculators £100,000 r for his whole interest in the mine, which ; he refused to take. \, Official returns show that the quartzs mining industry in Victoria produces 5 £160 per annum for every man employed i in it. > Sydney. ; The new Ministry has been sworn in , as follows : — Mr Parkes, Premier ; Mr Piddington, Treasurer ; Mr Sutherland, '. Public "Works ; Mr Farnell, Lands ; Mr Butler, Attorney- General ; Mr Innes, Solicitor-General ; Mr Lloyd, PostmasterGeneral ; Mr Samuels, without portfolio. The Assembly adjourned for a month for the re-elections. The trial of Nieholls and Lester, for the Parramatta river murders, has been fixed for the 16th inst. J Mr Parkes's address to his constituents, ' which has been published, foreshadows the policy of the Government. Tt promises the immediate re-opening of the Border Customs negociation, with a view to prevent direct collection. A promise , is given to amend the land laws by placing different kinds of lands in the hands of ; those most fitted to use them, with the object of affording greater scope for the employment of capital and labor. New mining laws are promised, and a rumor is current that there is an intention of api pointing a Minister of Mines. Ebel, sentenced to death at Albury, has made a full confession of the attempted poisoning. Adelaide. The Land Bill provides that the upset price shall be £2 per acre. The cultivation of flax is progressing. It is said that the delay in the connection of the overland telegraph arises from the error of not selecting the Roper as the basis of operations. *It was intended to commence the horse express so soon as the distance got reduced to 150 mileß. At present the gap was 250 miles. Great mortality had occurred amongst the horses, and sickness amongst the men. Scurvy, rheumatism, and fever had broken out, and two men, named respectively Edward Privet and Thomas Hawkins, had died. The South Australian Gas Company has reduced the price of gas to 10s in the city, and 12s in the outside districts. The Chamber of Commerce has passed a vote in favor of the construction of the proposed transcontinental railway. propriety of leasing the public lands at a quit rent is under consideration. The Lucy has left with a gold prospecting party for the Northern Territory. The Omeo leaves for Port Darwin in the beginning of June. Business is quiet. Cornsacks have been sold at 12s 9d, and 13s is now asked. Wheat, 6s to 6s Id. Flour, town brands, has been sold at £14.