INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1013, 31 July 1891, Page 31

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Melbourne, July 23. Two ships, the Gulf Stream ai)d the Berar, have put into Port Phillip almost wrecks. The damage was caused by gales in the early part of the month. The Berar was dismasted, and the Gulf Stream partially so. Melbourne, July 24. Mr Shiels, in introducing the Amending Railway Bill, strongly condemned the Commissioners. The Bill proposes to remove the construction branch from the Commissioners’ control. The floods fund has reached L 13,000. Eleven shops in Drouin township, fiftysix miles east of Melbourne, were burned down last night. The damage is estimated afc LIO,OOO. , _ Melbourne, J uly 20. The number of deaths from typhoid fever and diphtheria during the first six months of the year show a most marked decrease on that of previous years. Melbourne, July 28. There have been heavy withdrawals of goods from bond in anticipation of a further increase of duties when the next Budget is brought down. Brisbane, July 23. The Naval Defence Bill has passed through the Council. Adelaide, July 24. A National Defence League has been formed to prevent undue class influence in Parliament. Policeman Wiltshire, under whose orders it was alleged two blacks had been shot at Finke River, has stood his trial and been acquitted. There was not a tittle of evidence against him. Sydney, July 24. The ship Cape York has arrived at

London, and removed the anxiety caused by the finding of wreckage bearing her name at the Chathams. Sydney, July 25. There was a noisy meeting of the shareholders of the Australian Mutual Provij dent Society last night over the question I of extending the business to London. The proposal was negatived, but a ballot will be taken on Monday. Sydney, July 26. Canon Barlow was to-day consecrated Bishop of Northern Queensland. The ceremony was an impressive one, he being the first colonial clergyman consecrated.

Sydney", July 27. The Sydney Morning Herald thinks Lord Onslow’s despatch to Lord Ivnutsford, giving the reasons why New Zealand is not likely to enter an Australasian Federation, may be accepted as that colony’s final decision on the question.

The Australian men-of-war Ringarooma, Ivatoomba, and Boomerang arrived at Colombo, all well, early in the month.

Sydney", .7uly2S. Bishop Selwyn has sailed for England, Hobart, J uly 25.

The Budget shows a surplus of L 34,000. The deficit has been reduced to L 97,000. The estimated surplus for the ensuing year is L 36,000. No remission of taxation is proposed, and no large public works are announced. The surplus is wholly due to the impetus given to trade by the development of silver mining. Hobart, July 28.

It is believed his Excellency the Governor, Sir R. G. C. Hamilton, K.C.8., will retire upon pension at the conclusion of his term of office, and remain in Australia.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. Sydney, July 23.

After a continuous sitting of 23 hours the motion of no confidence in the Government was negatived by SO to 57. A further amendment to the Address-in-Reply was moved by Mr Garran, affirming that in the opinion of the House the Pastoralists’ Union should agree to open a conference with the Shearers’ Union, and also favouring a protective tariff. This, tno, was rejected by 77 to 58, and the Address was passed. Sydney, July 25.

The Hon Mr McMillan resigns from the Treasury shortly, owing to pressure of private business. Two other Ministers are reported to be anxious to resign for similar reasons. Sydney, July 27.

Mr W. McMillan, Colonial Treasurer, has resigned his seat in the Cabinet, and the Governor has been recommended to accept it. Mr O’Connor, who was defeated at the general election, accepts a seat in the Upper House, and retains the portfolio of Postmaster-General.

BANK FAILURE IN MELBOURNE Melbourne, July 24.

The Imperial Banking Company has suspended payment, and the announcement has created a sensation. It is not a bank of issue, but more of the character of a building society. A slight run took place on the Geelong branch of the Company yesterday aggregating L3OOO, and in order to prevent the run extending to head quarters, the Directors resolved to suspend payment, in order that the creditors should be treated equitably. The indebtedness of the Company has not been disclosed, but it is understood that the assets will more than cover it. It is alleged that its difficulties are due to the stagnation of trade, caused by the late strikes following closely on the collapse of the land boom. The nominal capital of the Company is L 500,000, of which L 82,000 is called up.

RAILWAY PURCHASE PROPOSALS Sydney, July 27.

Mr Witheford, of Auckland, is negotiating with the Government of New Zealand in the interests of a powerful English syndicate to purchase the whole of the New Zealand railways. If the Government entertain the proposals it is expected a representative of the syndicate will proceed to New Zealand forthwith. Sydney, July 28.

In a further telegram to the New Zealand Government re the purchase of railways, it is stated that Mr Witheford, on behalf of the syndicate, said it was proposed to introduce the zone system, and urge the introduction of an immense capital for pushing on the construction of the railways, thus causing a large influx of population and money into New Zealand. THE INTERCOLONIAL SHIPPING TRADE. Sydney, July 28. The depression in the intercolonial shipping trade is causing anxiety among owners anl investors of capital. Before the last strike severe depression was felt, by which losses were occasioned, and these the strike still further accentuated. There has been no improvement since, and future prospects are not bright. It is an open secret that serious consideration is being given to the proposal to lay up a number of steamers and regulate the trade accordingly, running say one steamer instead of two or three, as at present. The Companies are bitterly realising that the addition of more steamers to their fleets, with a \ T iew to obtaining a larger proportion of trade, has recoiled on themselves, there being no correspond-

ing increase. Ever since each colony had been served with direct steamers there has been a creeping falling off of the interchange of merchandise betweeu one port and another. Attention is being given to a scheme of offensive and defensive alliance in order to protect shareholders and investors from losses caused by individual companies competing in any trade outside its own. The idea being that if any line is subjected to opposition the alliance will make common cause against its opponent, deeming that such a course is warranted by the present sacrifice of capital. The amalgamation of two Newcastle companies is almost completed, and arrangements are also pending for the amalgamation of the John See line of steamers and the Clarence River Company. Noth withstanding the dullness of trade it is understood that efforts are being made to form a company to enter the New Zealand trade.

THE A.M.P. SOCIETY’S BALLOT. Sydney, July 28.

The ballot taken on the proposal to extend the Australian Mutual Provident Society’s business to Great Britain resulted as follows :—For the proposal, 14,957 ; against it 9508. As the regulations provide for a twothirds majority the proposal is negatived.

WRECK OF A MISSION SCHOONER. Sydney, July 28.

The London missionary schooner Harrier has been wrecked near Cooktown. The Rev Clialters, five others, and the crew" were saved.