INTERCOLONIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 1788, 2 September 1873, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbouhne, August 27. Mr Mackenzie's second report on the coal fields of Victoria is still more unfavorable than the first. The lignite deposits and thin seams of coal are 'pronounced practically worthless. A woman named Ann Jones was murderously attacked with a heavy hammer by John Casey, a fellow servant, at Thomas's Temperance Hotel on the 25th. It it anticipated that the North Eastern railway will be opened to Wodonga in November. Owing to the prevalence of diphtheria and scarlatina in the Coburg district, it has been found necessary to close the schools for a short time. The boiler at the South Frazer's Company, Sandhurst, exploded on the 25th, making a terrific noise, but fortunately no one was seriously injured. The first cargo of wool for the season arrived at Echuca on the 24th. It is believed that Wardill, the defaulting secretary of the Victoria Sugar Company, has succeeded in getting away. A strict search is being made for him in all directions. Adelaide. At an immigration meeting held on the 25tb, resolutions were carried condemning as unconstitutional the action of the Government ia sending for free immigrants in the face of Parliament asserting that indiscriminate free immigration was opposed to Bound economy and unjust in its operation as benefiting capital at the expense of labor. The meeting advocated, as the best means for drawing population, a system liberalising the land laws, making them akin to those in America, and compelling people wanting labor to bear half the expense of bringing it out. The agriculturists have resolved to offer a first price of £1,200, a second of £600, and a third of £300, for the best wheat cleaner. Messrs Sholl and Pratt, of New Zealand, are floating a company for the purchase of cheap gold and other stock* Mr John Murray has won the silrer trophy, valued at £150, given by old colonists in England, for the best merino ram. Mr C. B. Fisher's Eantin' Robin took the prize for the best entire. Forty-six merino rams, sold at auction, averaged nearly £33 each. Adams and M'Lean, aeamen on board the barque Tongay, have been sentenced to imprisonment for life for the murder of Capt. Wittacombe. Wheat, 6s 6d ; country flour, £14. Sydney. A meeting of the Australian Mutual Provident Society was held on the 26th, when the directors' special report, based on English actuaries' advice, was well received, and, after the proposed alterations had been discussed at great length, unanimously adopted. Henry Hough has been committed for trial on the charge of setting fire to the Miners' Advocate office, and Sweet, the proprietor, wus committed as an accessory. The Admiralty Court has confirmed the seizure of the schooner Challenge for breaches of the Polynesian Labor Act. The first new wool clip has arrived from Queensland. At the next agricultural exhibition, to be held on 13th April, prizes are to be given for the best managed farm in the northern, southern, and western districts.