LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2982, 15 January 1881, Page 3

LONDON.

January 12. The five and a half per cent New Zealand 1879 1904 loan has advanced by one per cent, and to-day is quoted at 98*. The Bank of England rate of discount is 3J, and the market rate 3 per cent. Adelaide flour, ex-warehouse, has declined to 345. New Zealand wheat, exship, is unchanged at 445. January 13. Hanlan is the favorite for the race with Laycock for the sculling championship of the world, which takes place over the usual course on the Thames on Monday next. The betting is now 5 to 2 on Hanlan. The total reserve iv notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £12,600,000. An active demand exists for most descriptions of Australian hides. A deputation from the Peace Society waited upon the Secretary of State for the colonies to-day to urge, steps being taken to bring about the cessation of the war in the Transvaal. Earl Kimberly, in reply to the speaker, said that if the Boers suspended hostilities there might be hope of an amicable settlement, but otherwise the Government were compelled to continue to use every endeavor to quell the rebellion, and maintain British supremacy in the colony. His Lordship ; further recalled to the deputation, the fact

that the Boera possesses but a very doubtful title to a large portion of the Transvaal, and had therefore no, sound claim for independence.

A number of the Irish Liberal members of the House of Commons having made representations to Mr Gladstone regarding the bill dealing with the Irish land question, which ia to be introduced by the Government, Mr Gladstone haa replied that he could not give any pledges as to the extent to which the measure would go. but could give an assurance that the Government were anxious to do justice both to landlords and tenant. Information has been received from Central Asia regarding the Russian campaign againstthe Tekho-Turcoman tribes. The Russian force had invested Geok Tope, when a severe engagement took place. The fighting was desperate, and both sides suffered heavily. The Russian loss is said to have been most severe. The trial of the Land Leaguers at Dublin continues. Mr M'Donough has opened the case for the defence of the accused. In the course of his address he made a statement that he regarded the accusation which had been brought against the Leaguers as being in reality the landlord's indictment against the tenants. January 14. Mr Shaw and fifteen other Irish members of the House of Commons have seceded from MrParnell's leadership. An extensive strike of coal miners has commenced in Lancashire. Forty thousand men are out of work. The detached squadron ordered to the Cape will, on arrival at Natal, land a naval brigade for service against the Boers. Information has been received from South Am&rica that the Chilians are following up their successes over the Peruvians, and have occupied Hurin.