SPECIAL CABLE NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4783, 19 January 1884, Page 2

SPECIAL CABLE NEWS.

London, January 11. Without any cause being assigned, Mr Thomas Archer, Agent-general for Queensland, has received intimation that he is granted three months leave of absence, and that Mr W. Hiunnnuit is appointed Acting-agent-general. The Rev. Charles Strong is living now at Herberstro, and will probably try to obtain a Glasgow pulpit. The Valetta has been tried on the Clyde, and made 16 knots during a gale. The Orient Company have chartered the steamship Warwick, which will leave for Australia on the 18th inst, with 500 immigrants. Sir Saul Samuel is consulting with (See Fourth Page.)

Captain Shaw in reference to the appointment of a, superintendent of the Sydney Fire Brigade. The. Right Hon. H. E. Childers has informed the Agents-general that the Customs concession recently made in regard to the impartation of Spanish wines will be extended to wine the produce of the Colonies, but that the Government is unable to extend the limit of alcoholic strength to 32 degrees, owing to the loss which such an extension would entail on the revenue. He will, however, consider -whether a sliding scale admitting Australian wine at a duty of 18d per gallon can be agreed to. January 12. Great inducements are being offered to Frenchmen to emigrate to New Caledonia. A force of 84,000 rebels is reported to be advancing against Khartoum, the grrrison of which is in a mutinious condition. The evidence proving that the Czar was recently wounded in the shoulder by Nihilists is increasing. The Royal Geographical Society, it is believed, is hesitating as to the propriety of acting in conjunction with the Geographical Society of Sydney in regard to the exploration of New Guinea, as it is feared that the Colonial Government is anxious to unduly influence the formation and objects of Powell's proposed expedition in other directions than those in which co-operation is desired. The Marquis Tseng indicates that the warlike feeling is increasing in China, and he doubts now whether any offer of mediation will meet with acceptance. The New Zealand loan of one million was subscribed fivefold. The probable average will be £100 Bs. There was an enormous number of tenders, one tender alone taking up the whole amount. January 14. Dr Alfred Barry, recently consecrated to the Metropolitan See of Sydney, officiated at Osborne yesterday. The Times this morning denounces the admission of Frenchmen to minor positions in the Egyptian Ministry. The Right Rev William Jacob3en, Bishop of Chester will shortly resign. Telegrams from Tonquin state that 6000 Chinese troops have reinforced Ninau (?) Naid Nong. Mr Westgarth has offered £1200 as prizes for the best essays on buildings most suited for the poor, and also for the best scheme for rebuilding central London. Gordon Pasha urges that the Turkish and Anglo-Indian Contingent should recapture those towns in the Soudan which have been taken by El Mahdi. January 10. The City of Auckland municipal loan of £100,000 closed to-day. There are 247 tenderers. The loan has been placed at an average price of £102 10s. The Commercial Bank of Adelaide is to open in London on the 14th inst. The London directors are Messrs John Beck H. Turton, Barr, and Smith. The Agents-general for the Colonies have been appointed vice-presidents of the Hygenic Exhibition. A difficulty in procuring the salmon ova has delayed the intended shipment to New Zealand.