BRIEF MENTION.

Evening Star, Issue 8566, 13 July 1891, Page 3

BRIEF MENTION.

The ' Irish Catholic ’ has absorbed tbe ‘ Nation ’ newspaper. In the House of Commons Mr W. H. Smith said that it was unusual to invite sovereigns to visit the country, but at the same time he assured tbe House that if President Carnot paid a visit to England he would be accorded a most cordial welcome. Baron Hirsch explains t'-at the Argentine Republic, Canada, and Australia offer the most certain guarantee of the accomplishment of his objects in establishing colonies for Jews expelled from Russia. The ' Economist,’ in discussing tbe financial policy of Victoria, considers that it was providential, in the best interests of the colony, that the public works programme of tho Gillies Government had been abandoned, but it believes that an Increase in the tariff will check the yield from Customs. In the House of Commons Sir James Fergusson made a further statement regarding tbe British girl Greenfield, abducted by Khurds in Persia. He announced that after a strong protest offered by the Imperial Government, the Porte had withdrawn its objection to Persia taking forcible action to release tbe girl from the Turkish Consulate. Mr H. Labouchere, referring to the Minister’s remarks, said that the Turks were brigands, and, as such, ought to be made to clearly understand that outrages of the nature of the present one would not lo tolerated. The mere entering of a protest was nothing. They might as well talk to a blind ass as to Turkey. Sir James Fergusson replied that he would again protest to Turkey in connection with the abduction.

News from Fiji states that the earthquake there early this month was felt at Sava, Rewa, and Nama. The barqae Damole arrived from Calcutta with 593 coolies, Ten deaths occurred from measles. The ship Jumna was to follow with 450 coolies for Sava. Tbe Bondi Aquarium (Sydoey) was destroyed by fire last night. There was an insurance for L 6.000. The Irish Land Purchase Bill has passed through the House of Lords. M. Seoretan, ex-manager of the Societe des Metauz, has been released from prison. The authorities of Kazan, a department of European Russia, are supplying provisions to 40,000 Russians who are alleged to be in a starving condition, owing to the failure of the grain crops. Statements are current that Secretary Blaine has only two months to live, His family deny the rumors about his health, and declare that he will be able to resume official duties in the autumn.

The Poultry, Pigeon, Canary, and Dog Show, held in the Garrison Hall, was again very well patronised on Saturday. In the evening the drawing for prizes took place in the presence of the president of the society and the Committee. The first prize, a pair of Houdan fowls, fell to the owner of the ticket numbered 3,729, to whom the society presented a suite of furniture. The 'Statist’ asserts that the money markets of Western Europe are greatly improved, and it predicts that money will be much dearer shortly. The ‘ Economist* has a friendly article on

the West Australian loan, and urges that borrowing in the early stages of a colony’s career is necessary to secure real progress. The 'Financial Times,’ referring to the Western Australian loan, considers that the small amount offered is evidence that the risk of failure has been fully considered, and it warns other colonies against coming into the market at an early date, as it is not ready for unloading. Harvest operations at Odessa have commenced, and the yield Is much better than was anticipated. The French crops have been improving during the last wees or so. A petition has been presented to both the French Senate and Chamber of Deputies urging the members to induce the Credit Fonder of Faria to step in and save the collapse of the Panama Canal scheme. The condition of the Rev. C. Spurgeon remains unchanged. Continuous prayers are offered at the Tabernacle for his recovery. Messrs Joyce, Tanner, Carncroes, and Bniok bad an interview with Te Wbiti and ToVin. a.t Parihaka yesterday. In 1881 the New Zealand Institute numbered 1,327 members, but last year the roll had not more than 1,000 names on it. Sarah Bernhardt is said to have drawn L 15,000 during her twenty-seven performances in Melbourne. The old KentOn Hotel at Waireka burned down on Friday night. The furniture was insured for L7O in the Phoenix Office.