HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9340, 14 February 1896, Page 5

HOME AND FOREIGN.

Prew AsfoeiaUon—Bv Tclesraph—Copyriirht THE VENEZUELAN DIFFICULTY. Lokdok, February 12. Mr Bayard, the American Minister, informed Lord Salisbury that the Venezuela Commission would be grateful for Britain's friendly aid, and disclaimed any idea of hostility to England. The Premier replied that he would readily supply advance copies of the British case. THE CHURCH HOUSE. The Duke of York has formally opened the Church House at Westminster, erected to commemorate the Queen's Jubilee. APPOINTMENT. Mr Stewart, Official Receiver, ha 3 been appointed Clerk or the London County Council. AUSTRALIAN GOLD SPECIMENS. Auriferous specimens from Australia, shown by Mr Johnson at the Imperial Institute, are exciting much interest among scientific men. LORD DUNRAVEN'S CHARGES. Lord Dunraven makes no retraction of his charges in connection with the America Cup yacht race, nor does he endeavour to make an excuse for his charges. HOME RULE. February 13. In the House of Commons Mr Dillon moved—"That the refusal to re-submit the HomeSule question had aroused the deapost discontent and resentment." Mr Gerald Balfour, in reply, said that the attitude of the Government had had no effect in changing the Opposition. NATIONAL MORTGAGE AND AGENCY COMPANY. At the meeting of the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand Mr Grenfell, the Chairman, declared that the fall in the securities had been avro3ted, and that they were now bringing in a return of 4 per cent. Negotiations, he said, were now proceeding for a profitable addition to the business. FEDERAL DEFENCE. Mr George Clark, Secretary to the Colonial Defence Committee, read a paper before the Colonial Institute, in which he advocated that a Conference should be coriyened in London to discuss the question of Federal defence. Mr Clark deplored the reductions which were being made in connection with the defence of the Australian colonies. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN- LOAN. South Australia borrows 4>539,500 at 8 per cent., with a minimum of 94. Tenders are to be opened on the 20fch. The loan is already quoted at a premium of 2£ per cent. THE IMPRISONED CONSUL. Paris, February 12. The French Government have consented to release Mr Walker, the American Consul, imprisoned in Madagascar, on the condition that damages are not claimed. OBITUARY. The death is announced of C. L. Ambroise Thomas, the prominent musical composer, and a member of the Order of the Legion of Honour. [Charles Louis Ambroise Thorns a was bora at Metz in 1811. Hβ entered the Conservatoire in 1823, and curried off the first prize for the piano in 1829, the first for harmony in 1830, and the grand prize of Rome in 1832. Hβ composed numerous operas, &c, among his works being the favourite opera " Mignon." . Hβ succeeded Auber as director of the Conservatoire.] THE CZAR'S CORONATION. Pekin, February 12. Li Hung Chang attends the coronation ceremony of the Czar at Moscow. CHARGE OF FRAUD. Buda Pesth, February 12. Pulszky, the Director of the National Art Gallery here, has been arrested on a charge of fraud in connection with the purchase of pictures. , ABOLITION OF TITHES. Athens, February 12. , Macedonia has abolished farming tithes. ARMENIA. Constantinople, February 12. The Sultan appoints Christian Mudirs in Armenia.