INTERCOLONIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1786, 29 August 1873, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

(From our Exchanges.) Melbourne, August 19. There is great publio opposition to the Savings Bank Amalgamation Bill.

Wardill, the cricketer, and accountant of the Victorian Sugar Company, has absconded. His defalcations are £7000.

Mr Francis offers New Zealand £15,000 a year for a Californian service if the steamers come to Melbourne. He send* Mr Yogel despatches naming the contribution required for the Suez service. Mr Yogel has offered, on behalf of New Zealand, £5000 annually for the use of the Suez service, and to establish their own branch service.

Mr Mackenzie's report on the coal deposits of Victoria is adverse.

Ini initv is greatly on the increase. There are sixty four acceptances for the Melbourne Cup.

Captain Macbell has been gazetted Aide-de-Camp to the Governor. The North- Eastern line is now opened to Benalla

The Inebriate Asylum is in difficulties. Madame Arabella Goddard's concerts in Melbourne are a brilliant success.

Brown's fellmongery has been destroyed by fire. It was insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for £500.

The Victoria cloth factory at Geelong has been partially destroyed by fire.

Judge Noel is seriously ill

It is decided that New Zealand shall be allowed to compete in the Intercolonial rifle match.

Craigforth's new season's tea (first arrival) will be for sale to-morrow. Flour is at £14 per ton. The wheat market is bare. Sugar is active. Candles are in demand at llf-d per lb. Kerosene, Devoe's, Is Bd. Oats wanted ; common to good feeding worth 5s to 5s 6d ; good to fine milling, 5s 9d to 6s.

A ship which was beating about Cape Otway in distress all day on the 18th proved to be t'ue Dallam Tower, from London, Captain Davies, for Otago. She was towed up Hobson's Bay, under jury-masts, having lost all masts, sails, and even signal flags. She left London on the 11th May. A steam tug left her off Seaford next day. Passengers : — William Leach, Fred. Ihabble and family, Dr Thomas Dicken and family, Mr A. Newjohn, Miss "Wardropper, Miss Harriet Powell, Messrs A. Seaton, Harry Scott, T. S. Baker, G. Levinger; and 10 in the steerage. The Dallam Tower encountered a fearful hurricane when 3000 miles from Australia. She lost her masts by the board, and had her decks swept of boats, galley — everything, in fact. None of her cargo has suffered in the slightest degree, and there were no casualties. Six passengers were transhipped in a Sydney bound vessel that came up with the Dallam Tower soon after the accident. It is believed that a strong effort will be made to induce Mr Francis to carry intercolonial letters via Suez at the letter rate only. "Wardill, the defaulter, is believed to be hiding near Richmond. Another person is likely to be implicated, though the matter may be settled yet, the Com. panj not wishing to prosecute. Stdnet. A new coal company is being formed at the Hunter. Mr Sands, of the firm of Sands and M'Dougall, is dead. Mr Chisholm, merchant, has been acquitted of the charge of fraudulent insolvency. Wool is in demand. Telegrams from Mr Samuel to Mr Parkes, dated London, 16th inst., were to the effect that the Californian mail negotiation promised favorably. Adelaide. £50,000 has been voted for free immigration. The Chief Secretary has been anonymously threatened. The total year's revenue is £843,000. Mr Doaga has been appointed judge and resident of the Northern Territory. Father Fitzsimmons has been drowned. Wheat is at 6s ; flour, £13 to £14.