LATEST CABLE NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 38, 21 August 1880, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

[REUTER'S SPECIAL TO STAR.]

London, August 19.

The American harvest prospects are reported to be favorable, and the crop is estimated at 500,000,000 bushels.

The wool sales opened on the 17th with a good attendance of Home and Foreign buyers. The catalogue comprised 6900 bales, chiefly inferior and. faulty wools of all kinds. The tone of the bidding was hesitating. The present series of auctions close on October Ist.

In the House of Commons the Marquis of Hartington, Secretary of State for India, in submitting the Indian Budget, said an increase of taxation was proposed to the extent of 18,000,000 rupees. He also said no definite proposal would be sumitted by the British Government to aid Indian finance until the suspension of hostilities in Afghanistan. The wool sales opened with prices at from Ad. to Id. lower than last sales.

In the House of Commons, Mr. Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, denounced the wickedness and cowardice of Mr. Dillon's recent speech at Kildare, but said the Government had no intention of prosecuting him. A report was current that two barrels of gunpowder had been found in the railway tunnel under Cork barracks, but enquiry proved the whole thing to be a hoax.

At the wool sales on the 18th, 10,600 bales were offered, making a total of 17,500 bales since the opening. The tone of the market showed a better demand, and prices were firmly maintained. Mr. W. E. Forster,* Chief Secretary for Ireland, has started suddenly for Ireland. His mission, however, is at present unknown.

Lateb.

It now transpires that Mr. Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, has gone to that country with the object of enquiring whether coercive measures are necessary for the suppression of the disorder now prevailing.there. It is announced that Mr. Gladstone will proceed to Italy, or Madeira, in a fortnight's time, for change of air.

Berlin, August 19.

Serious storms and floods in Prussia have caused great damage, and to a large extent destroyed the growing crops. Pakis, August 18. It is expected that the French grain crop this year will be an average one.

Calcutta, August 18.

Further information to hand states that Ayoub Khan has commenced bombarding Candahar, and that the British forces are - acting on the defensive.News comes to hand'thafc the citadel at Candahar is invested on three sides by Ayoub Khan's army. General Stewart reports that he- has reached Gundamuk with the British force which was left at Cabul after General Roberts' departure for Candahar, and tho evacuation of Cabul is now complete. , •jr A report comes to hand that Ayou]^., Khan has sent a strong force to attack the Sharpur Gate of the citadel at Candahar, and that heavy firing between the British troops and the enemy was maintained from morning to evening. The British loss is said to have been trifling.