BRITISH & FOREIGN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6484, 29 September 1892, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN

[Press Jtsodation — Electric Telegraph — Copyright.] (Received September 38, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27The Investigation Committee of the Mercantile Bank of Australia exhibit increased hostility towards the Melbourne management, and hold that all members of the colonial Board deserve prosecution, especially Sir Matthew Davies. They assert that Victorian credit is on trial and that the report of the colonial Committee surpassed all expectations. The shareholders declare that they have been de liberately and systematically swindled. They have no belief in the suggested reconstruction of the Biink, and prefer a voluntary liquidation if the right liquidator is obtainable, otherwise they will insist on compulsory liquidation. The Committee characterise the directors' statements made at the meeting in August as disgraceful, and consider their conduct is beyond explanation. It is expected that the statutory meeting in October will be of a lively and exciting character. The relatives of Andrew Mcßae, grocer's assistant, committed for trial for the murder and mutilation of Annie Pritchard, at Alihorpe, declare that the woman is still alit c and that she will be produced at the trial. They assert that , the case is one of mistaken identity. I Lord Randolph Churchill has been appointed chairman of a powerful syndicate intending to exploit in the Transvaal and Mashonaland. Ih financial circles in the city i*" is believed that the hasty floating of the New South Wales loan would have the effect of reducing all colonial stocks by two per cent. The placing cf Treasury bills is not feasible, and the successful floating of a loan with a higher minimum than 95 is impossible. The Banks consider it useless to attempt to float a loan for six months, and the leading dealers are confident that no loan could be placed before Christmas. The directors of the London and Westminster Bank deny that they were asked to float stocks at first hand, and declare that they would require fully three months to reduce those at present on hand. The Financial News says that the report upon the purchase of railway land in Victoria reveals shameful jobbery. The cotton spinners, after conference with the masters, have refused to agree to a reduction and will strike. In an interview Mr Millidge, manager of the Mercantile Bank, denies that there hns been any fraud, unless, he adds. Sir Matthew Davies has deceived them also He stated that if they adhered to legitimate banking, as it is known in London, they would nob make a penny. The weakness of the Board consisted in the fact that they accepted business that had been refused by other banks. Sept. 28. — The conspiracy charges alleged against a numher of persons connected with the Authors' Alliance and Bogus Literary Society have occupied the Courts for over a week. The accused were cnvicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. Morgan got eight years, Tomkins five years, Steadman fifteen months, Campbell eighteen months, Tolmee six months, and Clarke four months. Mr J. Movley, Irish Secretary, has decided to appoint a small Royjl Commission to report promptly as to an effectual measure dealing with the evicted tenants. The Times, discussing the decision, considers that Mr Morley has struck a deadly blow at all land contracts in Ireland, and that the surrenders will have a pitiful result. There are indications in many parts of Ireland of the intention of tenants to resist the payment of rents in the winter on the grounds of bad harvests and low prices for stock. Mr Gladstone is reported to hAve invited Archdeacon Howell to propound a Disestablishment Bill on lines acceptable to the Welsh clergy. (Received Sept. 29, 11.50 a.m.) A warship is going to the Siberian coast to demand the release of the British sailors seized by the Russians upon sealing vessels. PARIS, Sept. 28. M. Padarewiski, the eminent pianist, is suffering from a severe attack of rheumatic fever. The report that Government intended to expel Hcrr Liebknecht, the Socialist, is denied. ST. PETERSBURG. Sept. 27. Tha Novoe Vremya thinks that Mr Gladstone is not inclined, and is not able to quarrel with Russia. TANGIERS, Sept. 28. It is reported that Count Daubigny, the French Consul, who recently started on a mission to Fez. met with indignities from officials en route, and that he is returning I here to await an explanation from the Sultan on the mutter.