It is also rumoured that the Premier has cabled to the Marquis of Ripon directing his attention to the Governor’s action. Lateb. The Ministry has resigned. Mr Reid, Leader of the Opposition, has been summoned, and has undertaken the formation of a new Cabinet. The Governor took up a similar position to the Earl of Glasgow with respect to the Legislative Council appointments. After Sir George Dibbs had resigned, the Governor asked who the Premier ad vised should be sent for. The latter replied that he could not give any advice, and His Excellency then, on

his own initiative, sent for Mr G. It. Reid, the leader of the Opposition, Amongst those whom Sir George Dibbs wished to appoint to the Council was Mr Barton, but the latter declined. Melbourne, July 26. A motion was proposed in the Legislative Assembly to alter the Constitution in the direction of one man one vote-. During the discussion attention was called to the fact that Victoria in this respect is behind New Zealand, New South Wales and South Australia. The Premier opposed the innovation on the ground that it was not a matter of in terest to the country, and was of very little importance. A warm debate followed this expression of opinion, but the question was eventually adjourned. Melbourne, July 28. Mr Reid, Minister for Defence, states that during the voyage from Vancouver to Honolulu he had as a fellow'-passenger ah ex-Naval officer of tire Imperial Service, who had been commissioned by Mr Sandford Fleming to seize Necker Island, north of Hawaii, as a landing station for the Pacific cable. Mr Reid persuaded him to abaiidofi his intention, as the island had belonged td Hawaii since 1855, and he was aVare that negotiations were passing between the Im perial and Hawaiian Governments for the purchase of the island. On reaching Hono lulu, Mr Reid interviewed the local Govern ment, and strongly advised Ministers to deal liberally with the British Government over Necker Island. He pointed out the great advantage Hawaii would derive from having a telegraph station so close to its doors. Mr Roid adds that everything con nected with the interview was open and above board. Melbourne, July 30. 