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TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
VICTORIA.
Melbourne, Wednesday.
Terrible accounts of the disastrous
effects of the drought are reported nearly
all over the country. It is also feared
that when it does break up, the fall of
rain will be so heavy and cold, and so
sudden as to kill great numbers of
sheep.
With reference to the death of Captain
Bance, and in reply to an absurd state-
ment that he was killed by Black Wed-
nesday, it is now pointed out that he had
severe fits in the post-office two years
ago, necessitating six months' leave, and
that he never recovered. The inquest
on his remains was proceeded with to-
day, the prisoner Paul being present in
custody. It was proved that a heavy
dose of potassium was given deceased on
the night Paul disappeared with the
jewellery. The evidence is not yet con-
cluded.
There was a tremendous rush of de-
putations to-day, principally from the
country districts. In replying to one
from Geelong, the Treasurer said that
he could not hold a review there next
Queen's Birthday, but thought he might
have an encampment on the shores of
ario next Easter.
The Good Templars waited on Sir
Bryan O'Loghlen to-day with reference
to Sunday trading. He replied that the
law was defective and unworkable.
A number of ministers and represen-
tatives of religions bodies expostulated
with Sir Bryan O'Loghlen for the dese-
cration of the Sabbath, by men working
on the Oakleigh Railway on Sunday.
Sir Bryan O'Loghlen replied that the
Government strongly opposed work on
the Sabbath, unless necessary, and it
was necessary on the occasion referred
to
Mary Cairns, eighteen years old, a do-
mestic servant at Footscray, has been
arrested for concealment of birth, of an
infant, found in a closet-pan on her em-
ployer's premises. The accused ad-
mitted having been confined some time
since.
The Minister of Education is taking
steps to remove all teachers who
did not pass their examination for li-
cense last December. Notices have been
sent to nearly a hundred that their ser-
vices are no longer required.
There is a moderate business doing.
Breadstuffs are decidedly firmer. Flour,
£10 7s 6d to £10 10s, At
auction, 2500 bags wheat offered were
very inferior, and sold at 3s 9d ;
moderate, 4s 3d ; good milling, 4s 9d ;
prime seed parcels, 5s 4d. Feeding
grains have a downward tendency.
The stock sales were the dullest thnt
have taken place for a long time, the
market being over-supplied. Prime me-
rinos were down sixpence, and other lots
a shilling to eighteenpence. Bullocks
were easier than last week.
The Herald has a special cablegram
dated London, 22nd April, in which it is
stated that advices had been received
from the Cape of Good Hope up to the
8th instant, bringing farther particulars
in reference to the engagement between
the troops under the command of Colonel
Wood and a body of Zulus. The loss
on the British side is estimated at 400
killed, while that of the enemy is put
down at 3000. Affairs in Transvaal are
creating much disquietude. The Boors
have risen in revolt, owing, it is alleged,
to the issue of a general order by Lord
Chelmsford requiring all able-bodired men
to turn out for active service against the
Zulus. On the 16th March Sir Bartle
Frere, High Commissioner, had left Petier
Maritzburg and proceeded to Pretoria,
one of the principal towns in Transvaal,
for the purpose of pacifying the Boers.
As soon as his arrival became known on
the frontier the Boers rose and invested
the town, meeting with no armed oppo-
sition, and the High Commissioner
virtually became their prisoner. The
leaders of the insurgents declare that
they will hold Sir Bartle Frere as a host-
age until their demands upon the British
Government have been satisfied, and
various grievances of which they com-
plain have been redressed.
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