BRIEF MENTION.

Evening Star, Issue 8553, 27 June 1891, Page 2

BRIEF MENTION.

The condition of Mr Gladstone is such as to cause considerable alarm to his friends. The opposition to the proposal of the directors of the National Bank to cancel L 150,000 of the capital, and call up 30s per share, is weakening, and it is now believed the largest shareholders support the action of the directors. The shares of the bank are, however, affected, and are quoted at a considerable discount. The wool market is firm, with an occasional upward tendency. The present series close on July S. The publio prosecutor will probably intervene in the breach of promise case Evelyn v, Hurlbert, and take proceedings for perjury. A dinner was given to Queensland residents at present in England. Sir J. F. Garrick, Agent-General for the colony, said he believed in future both the Government and people of Queensland would be careful to make both ends meet. The Hon. B. D. Morehead hoped that both parties would combine to get tho colony out of the labor trouble, and he commended the action of the Government in connection with the recent strike of shearers. He suggested that the labor difficulty would be met by increased immigration. It was, he thought, a mistake for the Agent-General to be a political officer, and he ought to be an ambassador. Seventeen hundred mats of Queensland sugar were sold at 12a to 14s. The Bank of England returns published to day show the total reserve to be L 19,190,000, being a decrease of L 246.000 as compared with the previous week. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 45.72 per cent. Consols, 95 ex div.

New Zealand 4 per cent, inscribed stook is firmer at 103&; 3J per cent, do., weaker at 03|. New Zealand long-berried wheat is weak at 423. For cargoes on passage sellers ask 425, buyers offering 41s 6d. Sellers of offcoast cargoes ask 41s 6d, and buyers are offering 41s. Canterbury mutton, 4 516 d per lb; Wellington, 3|J ; Canterbury lamb, 4|d. Beef: Forequarters, 3§d; hindquarters, 4gd. New Zealand hemp: Wellington, inferior, Ll9, with no demand; Wellington, fair quality, L2l 53. Best Manila, L 32 53. South Australian wheat, flat at 43]; and Vicfeoriau, quiet at 42a, Sugar: German beet, 13a 3d; Java, 14a 9J. No. 1 best Scotch pig iron (f.o.b, in the Clyde), quiet at 47s 3d. Mr Gladstone is suffering from a bronchial affection, and has been ordered complete rest. It is expected that he will visit Lowestoft.

The influenzi epidemic is subsiding in the metropolis During the last eight weeks 40,000 deaths, mainly attributed to the epidemic, have been reported, In the House of Lords Lord Denman proposed the rejection of the Irish Land Purchase Bill.

Mr Parnell was quietly married before the registrar to Mrs O'Shea. The General Baptists' Association have resolved to amalgamate with the Baptists' Union.

Messrs Murietta and Co. have successfully arranged their financial difficulty. Ten German workmen attacked and wounded the Fronoh Customs officers at Zent.

The French Chamber of Deputies by a large majority rejeoted the proposals that France should be officially represented at the Anti-slavery Convention in Brussels, The test piece for the band competition in Dunedin has been received by the Executive of the New Zealand Bands Association.

The township of Windsor (N.S.W.) is completely surrounded by water, but at Murrumbidgee it is receding. The Auckland City Council last year spent LI ,723 less than its income. In the Napier Divorce Court yesterday decrees nisi were granted in the case of Laffoley v. Laffoley, a wife's petition, on the f rounds of adultery and desertion; and tark v. Stark, husband's petition, on the ground of adultery. The Parnell Memorial Committee in Christchuroh hold an evening entertainment in August. Frosts in the vicinity of Cbristohuroh are very severe, and are such as have not been experienced for years. David Campbell was charged at Timaru yesterday with stealing sixteen sheep from Robert Rutherford, of Mount Nessing, near whioh looality accused holds a small grazing run. Accused was committed for trial. The man is to be further charged with stealing sixty-four sheep from Mr D. M'Leod, who took up an adjoining small run, but sold it, and left a number of sheep behind. The ' Clutha Leader' says a natural consequence of the postal reductions must be the lowering of postal cards to a halfpenny.' JUBt 80.

The Chamber of Commeroe have not yet held any meeting to consider the Budget proposals. Mr F. A. Joseph, lately on the ' Daily Times' staff, has accepted the editorship of the new weekly paper at Balclqtha. There is talk of starting a Liberal evening paper in Christchurch. The corrections of ' Hansard' proofs cost nearly L4OO every aeision,