INTERCOLONIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1596, 25 June 1872, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

. (From files per Alhambra to June 15.) Melbottbne, June 15. The following is the new Ministry : — Mr Francis, Chief Secretary ; Mr Langton, Treasurer ; Mr Casey, Lands and Surveys, and Land and Works ; Mr Stephen, Attorney- General ; Mr Gillies, Railways ; Mr Kerferd, Solicitor- General ; Mr Cohen, Customs ; and Mr Mackay, Minister of Mines. The foot and mouth disease has broken out amongst a herd of cattle on the Werribee. The disease is of a mild type. The Government are adopting energetic measures for stamping it out, and all imported cattle are to be placed for a certain time in quarantine. A Bill on the subject was passed through both Houses of Parliament in one day. Diseased cattle are to be destroyed. Mr Francis, the new Premier, has addressed the electors of Richmond. The Ministry is almost entirely composed of free-traders ; but Mr Francis says that there is no intention on the part of the Government to interfere with the existing tariff for the present. A Bill to legalise mining on private property is to be introduced without delay. New railways are to be undertaken as rapidly as possible, and waterworks are to be pushed forward with all speed. A Bill for making education compulsory is promised, and primary education is to be provided gratis on an unsectarian basis. It is expected that the Government will be able to effect the abolition of the Murray Intercolonial duties shortly. A large and influential meeting of the Richmond electors, Mr David Mitchell, late of Invercargill, in the chair, promised Mr Francis their unanimous support. Mr Samuel Ramsden, the well-known miller of Melbourne, offers a prize of £50 for the best 200 bushels of wheat grown in Victoria next season, the wheat to be delivered in Melbourne. The estate of the late Mr John Moffatt has been assessed as liable to probate duty to the extent of £10,700, the balance of the estate remaining with the executors after payment of all liabilities being about £200,000. The Victorian Mint was opened on the 13th, and three large parcels of gold were received from two of the banks — the Union and the Oriental. The total quantity, all bullion, was 23,671 oz., worth about £95,000. It is understood that the Mint will issue its sovereigns, in exchange for uncoined gold, through some bank. The Argus recommends that the importation of cattle from the United Kingdom or Europe to Australia should be discontinued for some years to come, on account of the risk of introducing contagious diseases amongst the colonial stock. Scandalous revelations are being made of the way in which the late Duffy Ministry distributed public money amongst their followers, on the most flimsy pretexts. The Argus says that during their short term of office, they descended to practices so corrupt as to be without a parallel in the history of Victoria. Adelaide, June 14. The Government are taking steps to prevent the importation from Victoria of any stock, either by sea or land, while the foot-and-mouth disease exists. A bill has been introduced to consolidate the laws on the subject of the importation of diseased stock. A bill is to be introduced by the Government to amend the distillation laws, and also the Constitution Act. All premiums paid since July last by policy-holders in the European Assurance Company are being refunded. The " substituted residence " clause in the land bill has been carried. Mr Burt, who is tra veiling with the Hon. Thos. Elder's camels, intended for an express service, reached Strangways Springs on the gl lth insfc. A despatch has been received from Lord Kitnberley with reference to intercolonial free trade. He suggests that the colonies should agree to free trade amongst themselves, but invites further discussion on the subject. All the land along the Roper River, in the Northern Territory, has been applied for, but the Government refuse to accept the applications. The survey of the boundaries of the trans-Australian railway grants is esti-

mated to cost £200,000. The Government say that the promoters will have to survey if the scheme is adopted. The • Government do not bind themselves not to sell the land before the railway is undertaken. The Cricketing Association are improving their ground in the hopes of a visit from the English cricketers. Captain Howe's (of the Black Diamond) certificate has been suspended for six months for not ascertaining the true position of the steamer. Eight children in one family, named M'Cullum, died at Port Lincoln within|lo days, from diphtheria. The second reading of the Electoral Bill, dividing the colony into 21 districts, each to be represented by two members, has passed the Assembly. The subject of the establishment of a university is being agitated. A deputation of merchants urging the importance of the river trade and a satisfactory adjustment of the Border duties had an interview with the Treasurer. The Minister promised to use his best exertions in the matter. Mr Connor has given notice of his intention to move that an inspection fee of 4d per head be charged on sheep, and 2 s per head on cattle coming into the colony from Sydney. A 20oz. gold specimen has been found at Mount Pleasant. Prime wheat sold at 6s ; inferior, 5s lOd ; flour, £13 to £14 ss. Sydney, June 14. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce had an interview with the Colonial Secretary with reference to the establishment of a direct service with California. Mr Parkes expressed himself favorably, and in alluding to the importance of the service, considered that vessels should be specially constructed for the line. He promised to consider any offers from parties prepared to establish an efficient line. The overdue ship Iron Duke has arrived, after nearly a sis months' passage from London. New Caledonia advices state that the goldfield in the. island has not improved. A man named Knight and a boy have been arrested in a hut near Cook's Creek with a coiner's apparatus at work. Extensive tin discoveries have been made in the Tumut district. The steamer Pelican ran down a ship's boat in harbor on the 13th, and one man was drowned. A new rush has taken place to the Clarence district, seven miles from Solferino. Another copper mine has been found near Orange. The purchase of the Fitzroy iron mines is likely to be completed by an English company if the Groverninent propose to reduce the rates. At Newcastle, a monster colliers' meeting has resolved to demand 6d per ton advance, beginning with the Lambton mine, and if it is not paid they intend giving their employers notice on the 24th. The Government has stopped the importation of cattle from Victoria pending the suppression of the foot-and-mouth disease. Hobabt Town. A great landslip took place near the foot of Mount Wellington, Tasmania, on the sth inst. Considerable damage to property resulted from the catastrophe, which appears to have been caused by the heavy rains, producing floods, which occurred the previous day. A good deal of distress, it seems, has been occasioned by the floods, numbers of persons having been deprived of their homes and thrown upon the kindness of others. A public meeting has been held in Hobart Town to start a relief fund, and it has been found necessary to devote a portion of the military barracks for the temporary accommodation of the houseless poor. Several lives were lost during the floods.