GENERAL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XII, Issue 596, 18 December 1885, Page 6

GENERAL.

London, December 8. Cricketing fixtures have now been made regardless of the probability of an Australian team visiting England. If a team should come the chief counties will undertake to provide dates for matches with them. An American commission appointed to inquire into the existing trade 'depression report that the British workmen are better off than any others, mainly owing to Freetrade, which the commission advise the United States Government to gradually adopt. Bulgaria and Servia both show themselves indisposed to yield to the demands of the Great Powers for the conclusion of an armistice. Washington, December 8. President Cleveland, in a message to Congress, states that he withdrew his consent from the Nicaraguan Treaty, as likely to lead to entanglements between the United States and other countries. London, December 9. The returns for the general election to hand up to the present time show that 324 Liberals, 246 Conservatives, and 76 Parnellite candidates have secured seats. In order to reduce the expenses of the South Australian Government at Home, Sir Arthur Blyth has dispensed with his emigration staff, and reduced the salaries of others in his office. Mr Coomb, C.M.G., of Sydney, read a paper on. "New South Wales" at tho Royal Colonial Institute. . The paper was very favourably received. . The Times predicts that separate British communities will shortly adopt tho Federal Council scheme. A warm discussion is at present taking place in the Times on the subject of the Australian freight ring. The Daily News states that the Government are seeking an alliance with the moderate Liberals. Mr' J. B. Thurston (Colonial Secretary of Fiji), the Hon. J. Douglas (formerly Premier of Queensland), and Mr Romilly (Deputy High Commissioner of the Western Pacific) are mentioned as probable successors of the late Sir Peter Scratchley. New Yobk, December 9. The death is announced of Mr Vanderbilt, the well-known millionaire. Constantinople, December 0. It is understood Prince Alexander of Bulgaria insists upon the conditions previously demanded by him being agreed to by Servia. London, December 10. Sir Charles. Dilke, addressing a meeting of his constituents at Chelsea last night, denied that the Radical party were anxious to eject the present Government from office, and stated his belief that the Liberal party would assist any Government which was desirous of carrying liberal measures. The elections are now concluded, and the final returns are : — England returns 244 Liberals, 220 Conservatives ; and Wales 27 Liberals and 3 Conservatives. Scotland, 62 Liberals and 10 Conservatives. Ireland, 18 Conservatives and 86 Parnellites. The totals are — 333 Liberals, 254 Conservatives, 89 Parnellites. The Anglo- Australasian Land Mortgage Company, with a capital of L 600,000, have amalgamated with a similar company at Sydney. Mr Posnett, tutor of Trinity College, Dublin, has been selected as professor of the Auckland University, in succession to Mr Tucker. Mr Murray-Smith and Sir Saul Samuel are framing a reply to the remarks made by the Economist on the railways of the Colonies. Owing to the opposition of the Victorian Government, it is expected that the establishment of Mr Todd's parcel-post system of Australia will, probably fall through. Mr Todd is now asking the Orient Steamship Company to co-operate with him in endeavouring to bring the matter to a successful issue. Another meeting of the creditors in the estate of Messrs Simes and Co., woolbrokers, was held to-day, but adjourned pending the result of communication with the West Australian houses. There seems to ba no prospect of an alliance between the moderate Liberals and the Government. It is unlikely that tho Liberals will attempt an early expulsion of the Ministry. It is believed in high quarters that the Conservatives have refused to accede to the demands of Mr Parnell. It is reported that the late Mr T. Waterhouse, of Adelaide, has left property in England of the value of LI. 250,000. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales has accepted the Executive Commissionership and Presidency of the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. New Zealand frozen mutton remains at from 4^d to sd. Rio De Janeiko, December 10. The R.M.S. Aorangi, from Wellington (November 19), arrived last evening. Her frozen meat is in good condition. Calcutta, December 11. King Theebaw, with the Queen and members of his suite, are being conveyed as prisoners to Madras. Cape Town, December 11. The s.s. Kaikoura, outward bound, put in here with the loss of one of her pro-peller-blades. She will have to be docked before continuing her voyage. London, December 12. The Daily News has an article to-day on the Irish difficulty, in which a suggestion is made that a conference of the Liberal and Conservative parties, together with representatives of Mr Parnell's following, shall assemble to consider the subject of political autonomy for Ireland. The wheat market is quiet, and quotations are unchanged. Two off - coast cargoes have been sold at 363 and 36s 6d respectively. Severe frosts have been experienced in England. The Colonial banks . have appointed a committee to oppose the demands made for an income and interest tax on amount of deposits. The Times states that the loans of Melbourne and Wellington cities and Melbourne Harbour Board loan will be placed on the market at an early date. . December 13. It is reported that Mr Gladstone, Mr Chamberlain, and Sir Vernon Harcourt. are inclined to support the amendment

which Mr Parnell intends to move to the | Address-in-Reply demanding Home Rule ! for Ireland ; but the moderate Liberals ] are opposed to this step. . New Zealand mutton is selling at 4d to 5d per lb, Antwerp is to be made a port of call for the German- Australian line of steamers. Paris, December 13. • • The Committee of the Chamber of Deputies appointed to report on affairs in Tonquin have concluded their sittings, and their recommendations have been made public. The committee express themselves in favour of the complete withdrawal of the French troops from Tonquin. Cairo, December 13. Constant fighting is taking place between the British troops at Khoshnay and the Soudanese and Arabs in the vicinity. Casualties are taking place almost daily. Cape Town, December 13. It is expecttd that the necessary repairs to the propeller of the> Kaikonra will be completed and the vessel enabled to .proceed on her voyage to-day. London, December 14. Telegrams of yesterday's date from Balkan Peninsula, referring to fighting which is alleged to have taken place at Velikizvor, are now stated to be devoid of truth. Latest advices report that at present hostilities have ceased; A disastrous fire occurred<at Plymouth last nujlib, by which 13 persona lost their lives, the victims beina; mostly children. His Holiness the Pope has written a letter to Cardinal Manning, in which he strongly approves of the establishment of Catholic schools-in the Colonies' by voluntary subscription. The French Chamber of Deputies will consider a proposal to increase the duty on wheat outside of that produced in Europe to 9fr 50c; December 14. There has been a further advance in the prices of wheat. Adelaide wheat (ex store) is now quoted at 395; ditto, off coast, 36s 6d. New Zealand wheat (ex store), 28s to 37s per "4961 b, according to grade. The Queensland Government are urging the Home authorities to appoint Mr John Douglas as High Commissioner for New Guinea. The first cricket match of the season will be Australians v. Lord Sheffield's team, and will be played on May 13. * Madras, December 14. Arrangements have been concluded by which King Theebaw and his Queen will be interned, here, a residence being provided for them, and though not kept close prisoners, they will be under surveillance. December 15. King Theebaw and suite arrived here to-day.