INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, July 6.

Otago Witness, Issue 2003, 14 July 1892, Page 34

INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, July 6.

New South Wales having suggested that Mr Dibbs should be requested to represent the necessity for the removal of the restrictions placed on British subjects trading iv the New Hebrides, the Government have instructed Mr

Munro, Agent-general, to support Mr Dibbs in this direction. July 7. The chairman of the Investigation Committee of the Real Estate Bank, after a partial investigation into the affairs of the institution, has informed a meeting of shareholders that the bank was hopelessly insolvent two years ago, and that the subsequent balance sheets presented to shareholders were grossly misleading. He declares that they have to face a picture of black insolvency of one million sterling. July 9. A writ has been served on Sir G. Berry for illegally sitting and voting in the Legislative Assembly. The grounds of objection are not stated, but they are supposed to be owing to his acceptance of the post of Treasurer and proceeding to a second election before he had been sworn in as member upon his first election Melbourne, July 10. The Victorian Mutual Building Society has suspended payment. The half-yearly meeting was held only last week, but no dividend was declared, although L 12,000 was carried forward to next year's account. Heavy withdrawals have tpken place since, and the directors felt themselves bound to suspend payment, at all events for a time. The position of the society has not been disclosed, but the directors declare that the institution is perfectly solvent. Sydney, July 6. In the action brought by Mr D. O'Connor, late Postmaster-general, against the proprietors of the Sunday Times, claiming LSOOO for alleged libel in commenting on the purchase of Government stables, a verdict was returned for defendants. Colombo, where smallpox is prevalent, has been declared an infected port. July 9. The Earl and Countess of Jersey have sailed for Noumea in a Messageries steamer. July 11. Japan is engaged in looking out for a field to absorb the surplus labour population of that country, and is directing her attention to the New Hebrides. A member of the Japanese Emigration Society of Tokio, accompanied by a member of the Government, left for those islands last week on a tour of inspection. Mr Laing (secretary of the Australasian Hebrides Company) says that if the inspection is satisfactory it may be the means of hastening the hands of Great Britain and France, and lead to some definite action on the part of one or other of those Powers. The company will hail the advent of Japanese labourers with satisfaction. The quarantined passengers by the Oroya have been liberated. July 12. Another case of smallpox has developed at the quarantine station. Hobart, July 10. The R.M.S. Kaikoura arrived here from London, via the Cape, yesterday, and sailed again at 5 o'clock for Auckland. She had 16 original passengers for Australia, but in addition brings 52 of those who were wrecked in the steamer Port Douglas. There are 60 passengers for New Zealand.