If the American Universities are unable to send a crew to England, Oxford will not accept the Australian challenge. Mr Gladstone has opened his Midlothian campaign. He claims that the prospects of success are brilliant, and hears only the voice of hope and courage. He told his hearers this would be the last occasion upon which he would have to solicit their votes. His meetings are attended by crowds of enthusiastic supporters. It is expected 28 j Tories, SJUuionists, and 15 Liberals will be unopposed. Both parties are busy raising funds to prosecute the campaign. Peeresses are openly engaged canvassing. The Duke of Norfolk, head of the Roman Catholic peers, asserts that autonomy will be'merely a pretended boon to the men who defied the Pope. INTERCOLONIAL. Melbourne, July 2. Some startling disclosures have been made in connection with the Real Estate Bank, An investigation of the accounts show that large overdrafts were granted on no other security than the bank’s own shares, which are now valueless. Sydney, July 2. A strike of Broken Hill miners is imminent, owing to the mine owners in sisting on their right to stops ore by con tract. Hobart, July 2. The miners of the King Junction, Queen and Western mines at Zeehan, have struck against a reduction in wages.
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A meeting of M'Donald’s creditors was continued to-day, when M'Donald went into the matter of alleged false packing of rabbit skins, which he denied in toto, making out a strong case. Heavy floods have been experienced at Gisborne. The homesteads of many settlers are surrounded by water, while several have had to leave their houses.
