364 TlMEHRI. 
Dire6tor in London, dated 14th June and 13th July, 
referring to the Venezuelan boundary question, and 
Ridgway's bankruptcy. 
Concerning the former, Mr. Walker writes : — 
A Committee has been formed in the city to watch over the pro- 
ceedings of H. M. Government in connection with this question, and 
the compliment has been paid me of asking my attendance at its 
meetings which I have not hitherto been able to do. I have, however, 
been assured from another source of information that the despatch 
which has naturally caused so much excitement meant less than it 
expressed, and was not intended in any way to repress or discourage 
enterprise in exploring the disputed territory for gold (July 13th). 
Concerning the latter he forwards the information, 
dated 9th July, from the Official Trustee, that although 
the best had been, and was being done to bring matters 
to a satisfactory issue, there was no likelihood of a 
dividend being declared before some time had elapsed. 
Ordered to be taken for notification. 
A letter from the Government Secretary, dated 9th 
August, was read, enclosing letter dated 29th June from 
Mr. H. S. Durden, Secretary of the State Mining Bureau, 
California, asking to be furnished with specimens of 
greenheart and other colony woods, in exchange for 
specimens of Californian woods and mineral ores. 
On the suggestion of the Secretary, the letter was 
referred to the Committee of Correspondence in order 
that a colle6tion of woods might be obtained from 
Messrs. Park and Cunningham or otherwise, and ex- 
changed with Mr. Durden for suitable Museum specimens. 
A letter from the a6ling Government Secretary was 
read, forwarding by direction of His Excellency the 
Lieutenant-Governor a copy of the Blue-Book for 1886. 
The thanks of the meeting were accorded for the same. 
