GENERAL ITEMS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11126, 19 January 1899, Page 3

GENERAL ITEMS.

EcceivDd January 18, 9.15 a.m. London, January 17. The Times explains that the two battleships supposed to be building on the Clyde are really cruisers authorised in 1898. The Hon. W. P. Reeves is visiting Manchester to inquire into the question of direct trade between Manchester and New Zealand. The time of transit of letters to and from New Zealand has been reduced by a day. Mr Pulkington, Conservative, has been elected unopposed to the House of Com. mons for the Newton division of South, west Lancashire. Three professors for the Victoria College, Wellington, sail by the Kaikoura, and the fourth by the Australia. Lloyd's underwriters, for the purposes of their Shipping Register, will allow marine surveyors to survey steamers fitted with refrigerating 1 machinery employed in the Home trade from colonial j ports. St. Petersburg, January 17. Count Tolstoi, in his interview with the Czar, told him that Russia ought to set an example to the other Powers by disarming. Washington, January 17. The Commission appointed by President M'Kinley will act as an Advisory Board regarding the resources and commercial possibilities of the Philippines. Mr J. &. Shurman, President of the Cornell University, has been appointed president of the Commission, and Pro- j lessor Worcester will become a member. Sydney, Wednesday. A stack of coal at Neutral Bay, containing 2000 tons, belonging to the Union Company, is on fire. It has apparently been smouldering for several days. The Builders' and Contractors' Association have agreed to fix the standard waga for average carpenters at nine shillings per day. A few men receiving below this rate hare gone on strike. At the Cycling League's eteefcric light carnival the race for the League Cup j resulted — Forbes 1, Megson 2, Drinkwater 3. Time, 4min 35sec. Five Mile Scratch — Megaca J, Forbes 2. Time. 12min 18 l-sth sec. Adelaide, Wednesday. The Legislative Council adopted a resolution reaffirming the protest against the Hob. C, C. Kingston's action with regard to the le&r.epdum, and subsequently passed the Appropriation Bill.