INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

Southland Times, Volume VI, Issue 491, 11 June 1866, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL NEWS.

By the "Alhambra," we have our files of . Victorian papers to the 31st May, from which we extract the following items of interest: — Both Houses of Parliament meet this afternoon. (29th May) and in the present state of the political affairs of the country it is impossible to say what unlocked for subject; may come up for discussion. So far as is at present known, however, the topics likely to provoke discussion in the Assembly are the postponed amendments of the Council in the Transfer o? Real Estate Bill, and the J. P. "Williams case. lit the Legislative Council answers will prokiWy be received from Brigadier-General Carey to the addresses adopted last week, and the course to be taken with respect to the Appropriation Bill will be decided upon. The Attorney- General has accepted the responsibility of paying the verdicts of the Supreme- Court. The reasons assigned for 'so doing are at least Jesuitical. He received a memorial to the Queen on Saturday, the 26th inst., and replied to a letter dated 12th of May, on Monday morning, the 28th inst., half an hour before "the departure of the mail. The memorial had nothing to do with reply, of course, for Mr. Higinbotham "is an . honourable man." This gives him an opportunity of informing Mr. Yerdon that he is warranted in stating that the verdicts of the Supreme Court have been satisfied. He says nothing, however, about interest, lie has deprived the plaintiff Ecroyd .of the effect of his verdict since January, and of the money paid to the Government since March. ' ISSS. The tea an<i sugar men have had the use of money under bond, without interest, for a very long period. Sargood and Co., B.mks and Co., and the other firms who obtained large verdicts in the Supreme Court, have been already paid v.ith interest, in accordance with the Attorney- General's instructions. Ecroyd "has been put to a considerable expense, £150, in following up the judgment, against which no appeal was allowed. No consideration for this extra cost in time, anxiety, and money, lias been accorded. At the Supreme Court Criminal Sittings yesterday, the. case of The Queen] v. Beaneu was brought to a close with the exception, of the finding of a verdict ; upon which the jury, being unable to agree in a conclusion, were locked up for the night, and ultimately discharged. The Hon. the Treasurer (Mr. Yerdon,) was entertained at a dejeuner, at Menziea' Hotel, yesterday morning, previous to his departure ' for ' England in the E.M.S. Bombay. There were between sixty and seventy gentlemen jireseut, a large number of whom were Parlaimentary supporters of the Government. Most of the •members of the Cabinet were also in attendance. After the formal toasts had been disposed of _v[r. Yerdon's health was drunk in a very enthusiastic manner, and the lion, gentleman returned thanks in a feeling speech. At the termination of the repast, the company formed into procession in the street, aud escorted their guest to the Hobsou's Bay Eailway Station, whence the whole party proceeded to Sandridgo 1 Arrived on the pier, a boat from H.M.S. Victoria was in readiness to convey Mr. Yerdon on board the Bombay, which was moored' some distance from the shore. 2\~enrly the whole party accompanied their guest in boats to the steamer, and there bade him a final farewell. "We observe that the share list of the Coitimereiiil Bunk of Australia closes at noon on Thursday, the 31st inst. It is stated that a suffieunt number of shares have been applied for to justify the directors in coinmeuciiig busn>ss, and vigourous efforts are being made to open the bank on the Ist of July.