BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7178, 1 March 1884, Page 5

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[BY JSLECT&IQ TELEOBAPH—COPTBIGIIT.J [Renter's Telegrams.] fEecrived Fob. 29, at 1.45 p.m.l THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUGGLE IN NORWAY. CHRISTIANIA, Feb. 28. An important State trial has been brought to a conclusion here to-day. The Rigsret, or Supreme Court, has passed tbe sentence of deprivation of office upon Herr Selmer, first member t of tbe Government of Norway, who was recently impeached and imprisoned by tbe Second Chamber oftbe Norwegian Parliament. The Rigsret has confirmed tbe action of that body, and condemned Selmer to pay all costs of the trial. fEeceived Fob. 29, at 2.30 p.m,] AN INFERNAL SCHEME. LONDON, Feb. 28, A bag containing twenty pounds weight of dynamite, with clockwork machinery, was found to-day in tbe cloakroom at Charing Cross railway station. An infernal machine was also found at Paddington railway station. These discoveries indicate that a project is on foot to destroy the London termini, and considerable alarm prevails in the public mind.

CAIRO, Feb. 28. The force under Major-General Graham has received orders to advance against the enemy, and a forward move will be made to-morrow. Two battalions of Egyptian troops, under the command of British officers, have started for Assouan, on tbe Nubian frontier, at the first cataract of tbe Nile, with the object of opposing tbe advance of tbe rebels in that direction.

[Received March 1, at 12.50 a.m.] FRANCHISE REFORM BILL. LONDON, Feb. 29. In. the House of Commons last night Mr Gladstone introduced, the Bill for the reform of the franchise. The measure provides for uniform qualification throughout* the three Kingdoms. The Premier announced that a Bill for dealing with the redistribution of seats would be introduced next session. ADVANCE OF BRITISH TROOPS. CAIRO, Feb. 28. News is to hand from the Soudan that General Gm’iam has begun his advance against the Arab rebels. [Received Feb. 29, at 1.4 S p.m.] COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. LONDON, Feb. 28. Consols remain at 101|. .The Bank rate of discount is 3|, and the market rate 3| per cent. New Zealand securities: 5 per cent 10-40 loan, 104 f; 6 per cent 1889 loan, 104; 4| per cent 1879-1904 loan, 100 ex div.; 4 per cent inscribed stock, 100. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is .£14,100,000, the proportion of reserve to liabilities being 41 per cent. The Colonial breadstuffs and tallow markets are unchanged. Australian hides—A large quantity are offering, and the demand is limited. The prices are £th of a penny lower. *

At to-day’s wool auction, prices were steady, but the demand was inactive. . The mails via Suez and Brindisi, from Melbourne, Jan. 17, were delivered to-day. The cargo of frozen mutton on board the steamship British King, from New Zealand, has arrived in excellent condition. The first portion was sold to-day at from s|d to fid per lb. The mutton brought from Sydney by the steamship Iberia has arrived in good condition. The portion placed on the market to-day realised from 4f d to fid per lb. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) have received the following telegram : LONDON, Feb. 28. The wool sales progress firmly. Up to date 129,000 bales have been sold. The sale programme has been curtailed by two days. Frozen meat.—The shipment per British King, it is believed, has

arrived in good order. Market steady. Mutton weighing, per carcase, 701 b to 761 b, is worth 6|d per pound. w