GENERAL NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 478, 17 November 1897, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

(Per Press Association. —Copyright.) London, Nov. 15. Prince Henry of Orleans and Major Leontifu, recently appointed by the Nagus as Governor-General of the equatorial province of Abyssinia, are organising an expedition to proceed to Atrica, with the object of anticipating the occupation of Khartoum by the forces under General Kitchener, and also to the great lake region. Prince Henry relies upon a concession from King Menelck, of Abyssinia. The Italian Government has offered the Riff pirates 30,000 dollars, and the Portugal Government several thonsand dollars, as ransom for captives held by them. Mr Cunningham Graham, while travelling in the Atlas mountains, north-west Africa, was taken prisoner by Moors, but released after ten days' imprisonment. The Royal Niger Company has sent an expedition to attack Arku, the head quarters of the slave trading Prince Idah. Ernest Cavill, the Australian professional swimming champion, James Finney, of Blackpool, aud Daniells, an English professional, leave England for South Africa, where they will stay for three months, giving exhibitions at Cape Town, Johannesburg, and elsewhere. The party afterwards proceed to Australia. Mr Morton, a Conservative, was elected by a majority of 324 to fill the vacancy for Deptford, caused by the retirement of Mr J. Darling. Q.C. Rome, Nov. 16. The Pope has forbidden national schools in Manitoba, Canada.^ Pretoria, Nov. 15. In compliance with the requisition presented him Mr Burger has agreed to contest the Transvaal presidency. Sydney, Nov. 16. Deelouis, who was convicted of attempted wife murder and sentenced to death, has had his sentence commuted to imprisonment for life. This day. Declout's sentence has been commuted to twelve months' imprisonment, net life. The Herald estimates the colony's wheat crop at 9,840,000 bushels, an averagej slightly under 10 bushels to the acre.

CABLES.