GENERAL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVI, Issue 832, 27 June 1890, Page 6

GENERAL.

Mount Shasta, the famous peak in the north of California, over 13j000ft in height, has vanished. The catastrophe is attributed to volcanic agency. Holders of New Plymouth Harbor Board debentures intend petitioning the Government" of New Zealand to placo them in as favourable a position as if the mode of disposing of the waste lands was still the same as in 1879. They urge that if their claim is not recognised it will prejudice the credit of the Colony. Fine hemp (June 19), L 2 2; good, L2l ; medium, Ll9 5s ; middling, LlB. One thoasand bales were sold at those prices. .Frozen meat is unchanged. A | largo number of carcases by tho ELaikoura were condemned. Lord Salisbury, in reply to Lord Rosebery, saidl naval experts were favorable to the cession of H.-.ligoland. Mr Stanley says that Lord Salisbury has achieved more than a legion of missionaries and explorers could do. He- declares that Lord Salisbury has added 500,000 square miles of territory to the empire, with immense possibilities of extension in the future. Sir F. Mackinnon warmly approves of the Premier's bargain. The English wheat market (June 21) has undergone a general decline of Gd ; Continental dull ; American depressed. For New Zealand wheat (on passage) sellers ask 34s 9d, but buyers are only willing to give 31s -id. The cyclone in Illinois, United States, lifted a school at Pawpawa into the air, and the bodies of many of the scholars were afterwards found in a creek in tho vicinity. The telegraph lines were destroyed, and at least 100 persons were killed or injured. It is asserted that the inhabitants of Heligoland are opposed to the island being ceded to Germany. Under the Civil list of pension grants Mrs Blanchard (better ksown in Dunodin as Mrs Allpenny) haibeen granted a pension in consideration of her services as a worker on behalf of the emigration of women to New Zealand. Tho New Zealand Agricultural Company have extended the time for the payment of debentures for five yoai's. The Marquis of Salisbury has complained to Portugal of the latter 1 s violating the status quo in the Shire district by massing troops on the banks of the Ruo river. The Economist predicts a further fall in the price of wools at tho third series, which opens on Tuesday next, as it considers that the market is unprepared to absorb 400,000 bales without abatement in price. Tho French Government decline to discuss the question of tho disposal of the Egyptian conversion surplus until England has fixed the date of the evacuation of Egypt, and thus compel the levying of a French tax. The Germans consider the East African settlement almost amounts to an alliance with England. Tho feeling is gradually spreading in Germany that in the settlement of the East African question Great Britain secured the best of the bargain. Sir M. E. Grant Duff, the Earl of Derby, Sir John Lubbock, and Mr J. Anthony have a project on foot to establish a colonial quarterly review to uphold the federation propaganda. The first issue will probably come out at Christmas, The bulk of the articles will be contributed by colonists residing in the colonies. Seventy thousand coal miners at Southport had a demonstration in favor of the eight hours system, and protesting against the levying of royalties. Major Wissman considers the settlement agreed to between Germany and England in regard to East Africa is a death-blow to Germany in Africa. It is reported that the Cabinet is de- ! bating the appointment of the Marquis of Lothian as successor to Lord Carrington in the Governorship of New South Wales. The Colonial Office, however, denies that he has been nominated, or that anyone has been selected. Mr W. H. Smith, leader of the House of Commons, has dropped the publicans' compensation clauses, and the tax is to accumulate pending legislation on the question. Prince Albert Victor, eldest son of the Prince of Wales, who was l'ecently created Earl of Athlone and Duke of Clarence and Avondale, has taken his seat in the House of Lords. In reply to a question to-day, Sir James Fergusson stated that the Sultan , of Zanzibar had consented to a protectorate. French rights in Zanzibar were not afiected. In consequence of the diminished majorities secured by the Government on the licensing question, Mr Goschen, Chancellor of tho Exchequer, threatens to resign office unless the whips of the Government refuse to grant leave of absence to supporters while the measure is pending. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Sir James Fergusson stated that Lord Carrington will resign tho Governorship of New South Wales in Novembpr next, and his successor would be appointed. Pie had nothing to add to Lord : ELnutsford's despatches of July last on the question of consult-

ing. the colonies in the appointment of Governors..