MELBOURNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 306, 15 September 1866, Page 2

MELBOURNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Monday, Sept. 3. The fortnightly meeting of the committee was held this afternoon ; Mr Benn, the president, in ttye chair. There were also present, Messrs Bright, Blackwood, Crosby, .Fowler, Martin, Eos 9, Smith, and Stevenson.* Mr Van Delden, accompanied by the Con-sul-General for the Netherlands, was introduced" to tlie committee by the President ; and a .lengthy conversation took place on the subject of postal and telegraphic communication between these colonies and the Nether-lands-Indian settlements, and (via those colonies) with China. It was understood that the larger schemes some time since submitted to the committee in circular letters from the Batavian Chambar of Commerce were for the pre.-ent abandoned ; but' Mr Van Deldon explained to the committee a project by which he proposed to open direct,, communication with Batavia, by establishing a coaling station for the Peninsular and Oriental steamers at the Keeling Islands, whereby about fourteen to sixteen days might be.saved on, the route to China, and an additional five days in telegraphic communication with Europe. The wholo subject was discussed . at considerable length, and its further consideration adjourned till- the next meeting of the committee. " ' ' Mr Van Delden, before leaving, was presented with an invitation to meet the president 'and vice-president, and a number of gentlemen connected with the commerce of the city, at dinner, at Scott's Hotel, on Wednesday evening next, which lie accepted.