HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9670, 8 March 1897, Page 5

HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press Association— Br Telegraph-—Copyright

THE OBOTAVA FLOATED OFF.

London, March 5

The Orotava was floated off, and has arrived at Aden. One hundred and three mail bags have been sent on from Aden in a soaked condition.

An examination of the Oratava shows that her double bottom is watertight. The vessel therefore reloads, and proceeds on her voyage to Australia.

BEN TILLETT'S ARREST.

The Belgian Government has referred to arbitration the claim of Mr Tillett, the Labour leader, for compensation on account of his arrest at Antwerp on the occasion of the dock labourers' agitation last year.

THE PACIFIC CABLE QUES-

TION.

Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, and Sir Donald Smith, High Commissioner for Canada, confer with Mr Chamberlain and Sir M. Hicks-Beach upon the financial aspects of the Pacific cable question.

BITTEN BY A MAD DOG.

Six persons who were bitten by a mad dog at Newport, Monmouthshire, have been sent to the Pasteur Institute, Paris, for treatment.

SOUTH AFRICA.

The British war office is considering the advisableness of increasing the officers and permanent military in South Africa.

THE KING OF BENIN.

The King of Benin returns to his capital to hold a palaver with DeputyCommissioner Moor, who holds three of the leading chiefs as hostages.

BANK OF AUSTEALASIA.

The Bank of Australasia has declared a dividend of 5 per cent., and carried forward £12,621.

IMPEKIAL TBADE.

March 6.

The Board of Trade returns for March show that the imports increased £1,768,428 and the exports decreased.

MASSING OF DERVISHES.

Caieo, March 5.

Osman Digna has summoned over 25,000 Dervishes to mass at Berber. A large proportion of them are armed with rifles which the Khalifa purchased from Abyssinia.

THE VOLKSRAAP AND THE HIGH COURT.

Fbetoria, March 5. President Kruger has given the Judges of the High Court a fortnight to confirm his proposals for a settlement of the difficulty with the Volksraad.

THE OEANGE FBEE STATE.

March 7. President Kruger desires the Orange Free State to raise fresh companies of soldiers. ,

THE NOTOKIOUS BUTLER. Washington, Mavch 7«

Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British Minister, has applied to the United States Government for the extradition of Butler.