INTERCOLONIAL ITEMS.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 90, 21 June 1879, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL ITEMS.

(From latest Colonial papers.) Sydney, May 27. A requisition is being signed by members of the New South Wales Cricket Association calling a meeting of that body to consider what should be done in reference to Lord Harris's letter, and the comments published iu the London press. May 29. There was a crowded and enthusiastio meeting in the Masonic Hall to-night iu reference to the condemned criminals. Sir Ueo. lnnea and the Itev. Mr. Woolnough, Mr. J. B. Wilson, and tho Rev. Mr. Dowie were among the speakers. Apologies wore read from the Bishop of Sydney and the ltev. Dr. Jeffries for their unavoidable absence. A resolution was carried that the carrying out of the penalty of death was contrary to the laws of England, and was not specially demanded in the interests of justice; also, that it was not iu accordance with the spirit of the age. The resolution respectfully and earnestly implored the Governor to exercise tho prerogative of mercy. A petition was then adopted. It was stated in the Council to-night that the condemned criminals had been respited to 17th Juno. May 30. A deputation from Bathurst presented to the Acting Governor a petition, signed by over 000 residents, praying for the reprieve of the condemned criminals. Sir Alfred Stephen read a reply, stating that the ease ot the Buthurst criminals possessed peculiar features of atrocity, premeditation, concert, and violence. Ho said that lie approved of the decision, but everything urged by the deputation would receive full and anxious consideration at the hands of the Executive. Brisbane, May 28. The Mystery, schooner, has arrived at Mackay, with eighty labour from the islands. She reports that iu recovering the boat in which Kenton and Muir were, killed by the Datives last voyage, the coast Aoba natives fired on the crew. The captain landed and returned the fire, burned the native village, and obtained the boat. lie embarked without loss. An inquiry will be held to-morrow. CoOKTOWjf, May 20. H.M.S. Cormorant has arrived from Lovuka, and reports that H.M.S. Wolverine has left Levuka for Broken Island, in order to make enquiries concerning the murders committed there.

The ltev. George Brown, the Weslcyan Missionary, who took part in the expedition against the New Britain natives, in an address delivered at the Wesley uu Church, justified his conduct in shooting tbe natives as a ritrihution for the murder of the teachers connected with the New Britain Mission some months ago. lie referred to tbe progress of the Mission work in New Britain. lie left for Syduey to-day.