INTERCOLONIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1716, 18 March 1873, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, March 6. An extensive fire occurred on Monday j night on the premises of Messrs Connell, Watson, and Hogarth, wholesale grocers, Flinders lane. They had the largest stock in the colony, which was valued at £75,000, and was insured for £69 000, which is divided pretty equally amongst the various insurance offices. A further amount of £10,500 they neglected to renew on expiry of the policies. It was feared at one time that the premises of Messrs Bankß Bros, would be sacrificed, but the fire was kept within Watson's premises. The da-nage to Messrs Banks Bros.' stock is about £3000 by water. The fire was witnesped by thousands. The sight was very grand, the store being filled with spirits and inflammable materials. £337,000 worth of debentures have been cancelled and burnt, and the amount reinvested in the new loan, inscribed stock, as trust funds. Mr Reynolds has bad several interviews with Mr Francis in. reference to the Californian mail services. Nothing is likely to be settled until it is correctly ascertained about the decision of the American Senate relative to Webb's subsidy. Sir James Fergusson baa engaged the Rev. Mr Hare, of Perth, as his private secretary and domestic chaplain. A murder was committed at Emerald Hill on the 4th. A man named Carolan stabbed another named Stephens. The prisoner has been co.nmitted for trial. Clancy's trial for the Carl murders re suited in the prisoner being fouud guilty, and sentenced to death. A Kanaka uirl, named Kate, abducted from the British Consulate, but recovered by Mr March, was the principal witness for the prosecution. A private telegram from London, dated February 2711 i, states that a tender of an English company has been accepted on behalf of the Queensland Government for the Torres Straits mail Bervice, and preliminary arrangements are progressing. The captain and crew of the Kate Gr.mt have been acquitted of the charge ot kidnapping. Commercial. — Four and wheat continue very scarce ; prime wheat, 5b 7d, readily paid. Flour, £12 15a to £13. Oats very firm; feeding. 3s 3£d. Sugars i are stiffening ; holders will not sell under an advance. Candles have advanced, and are now firm at 12^d. Sydney. The Government has received a telegram from London, stating that Lord Kimberley will not decide the terminus question until the proceedings of the Conference are received. A contract has been accepted by the Queensland Government for a nine knot mail service from Singapore to Brisbane for £20,000. The Italian frigate Victor Piesani left for Auckland on the 4th. The Intercolonial Cricket Match, postponed on account of the weather, was to be resumed on the 7th. The ship Otto Antione, from Baker's Island to Cork, put in leaking badly. The Sydney-owned schooner Challenger has arrived as a prize to the Basilisk. She was seized in Torres Strait, having Polynesian natives on board without a license. A farmer named M'Areny was found murdered near Hartley. No clue has been obtained as to the murderer. Mr Gosse, the leader of the Government Exploring Expedition, intends leav ing Alice Springs on the lOlh inst. for Western Australia. Adelaide. It is reported that a valuable discovery of copper has been made on the Mount Lofty ranges. Wheat is firm at 4s 9d to 4s 9fd. Flour is unchanged, Fifty-six ships hare arrived at the port during the month of February. Northern Territory gold shares are selling at a premium. Launceston. The hop crop at New Norfolk is much heavier than last year's. Over 500 acres are in full bearing, and nearly 3000 men, women, and children are employed in picking.