INTERCOLONIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1713, 11 March 1873, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbottbne, March 1. The steamships Atrato and Somersetshire from Plymouth have arrived with a large number of passengers. Tlift Atrato brought over 400 Government emigrants. The Atrato came from the Cape in 24 days. She has been placed in quarantine, aatbere are some cases of fever among the passengers. Lord Canterbury left on the afternoon of the Ist March in the mail steamer Mooltan for England, accompanied by his family. He was escorted to Sandridge bv a guard of honor of cavalry. The roemberH of the Ministry and other gentlemen proceeded with "the Governor in the steamer George Rennie to the Mooltan A large number of persons assembled to witness the embarkation, and considerable enthusiasm was displayed. The Mooltan is crowded with passengers, including Mr Michie, the Agent-General, Mr C. E. Bright, Mr Higgins, the well known contractor, Mr Levey, Secretary for the Exhibition, and others. As the steamer arrived late from Sydney, the departure was post poned for three hours. It is reported that the repair of tho Java telegraph line was delayed through tigers having attacked the workmen. Proposals have been made by Mr Harrison, editor of the Age, for the exportation of frozen meat to FngTand. The sum of £2500 is required for an experimental shipment, of which £2200 has already been subscribed. Mr Michie has been appointed AgentGeneral for Victoria in the United Kingdom. An extensive bush fire occurred in the Western District. It originated on the Kangatong station, where, it is said, 3000 sheep were destroyed. Miles of fencing were burnt. It is stated that Judge Fellows has been offered a judgesbip of tbe Court of Appeal in England. Captain Gilbee has been dismissed the Volunteer force. The proceedings of the Board of Enquiry showed his statement, that he was not ia the house of the woman Britton, was untrue. A testimonial of £600 has been presented to Dr Tracy on visiting England. Mr James Smith, the spiritist lecturer, has recently been delivering "revelations" as to the future of the human race, which be claims to have received as spirit communications. The substance of the " revelations," even including some misquotations from ancient writers, has been discovered in the works of certain French politico - philosophical authors, ordered for the Melbourne Public Library by Mr Smith, when librarian Mr Smith declares, however, that although he ordered the books and catalogued them carefully in his own handwriting, he never read them. The congregation at tbe Wesleyan Church, Lonsdale street, were rudely disturbed on Sunday, 23rd Feb., by the pranks of a lunatic. A man who appeared to be a shepherd, and had been sitting quietly in the church, Btarted up suddenly, just as the benediction was being pronounced, and, brandishing a stick, knocked the money plate out of | the collector's hands, made a blow »t a lady, and then struck out in all directions. He was overpowered, and taken to the watchhouse in a cab. The despatch received by Sir George Bo wen, informing him of his appointment to the government of Victoria, was of a very complimentary character. STDNEr. The Government have sent the Parliamentary protest against Melbourne bemg made the terminus of the Suez mail service to the Earl of Kimberley. Negotiations with Mr Vogel have

ceased, as the Government has definitely refused to support a subsidy to the We bb line. The New Zealand delegates leave for Melbourne, for the purpose of endeavoring to arrange with the Victorian Government to support the Webb line. Mr Vogel has published in the Herald a Jong letter in reply to Mr Parkes' speech, in which he denies that any arrangement was arrived at respecting the terminus before the delegates reached Sydney. He admits, however, that the question was discussed amongst them outside the Conference, and before being dealt with there, and a decision come to, but no pledge waa given, therefore they had a right to alter their opinion until the j Conference closed. The first meeting of the Queensland National Bank has been held at Brisbane. The report waa satisfactory, and the directors were re-elected. ! Krohman's Company have declared a [dividend of 12s 6d a share on the last crushing. • The heaviest rainfall known in Sydney occurred on the 25th February when over 4in. of rain fell. The streets were literally flooded and torn up in places by the force of the current. The rain was general all over the colony. Serious floods are reported from various localities, and traffic on some of the railways has been stopped, the embankments being washed away. The mate and 17 of the crew of the schooner Franse have been massacred by the natives of New Guinea. Adelaide. Another great discovery of copper has been made in the Moonta mine. A private telegram from Yam Creek states that the reefs have been opened, and that in Winn's claims the stone is incredibly rich. The wheat market is quieter. The downward tendency seems to be checked. Sales made at 4s 9d. The Ke^ister states that the returns of its correspondents from all parts of the colony show that 775,000 acres were under cultivation this last season, being an increase of 83,000 acres. Tbe average yield will be slightly over 12 bushels per acre. The total surplus for export will be between 160,000 and 170,000 tons.