BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11152, 29 December 1896, Page 5

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COPYRIGHT.]

[Per Press Association.] IRISH WHISKY DUTY. LONDON, Dec. 27.

The St James's Gazette suggests that the Irish whisky duty should be applied, as in a similar case in France, to purposes of local government. THE HON J. G. WARD. Her Majesty has approved of the retention by Mr J. G. Ward of the title of honorable. THE BRITISH NAVY. The Spectator advocates the expenditure of fifty millions in five years on the construction of warships, in order to convince France that it is hopeless to compete with the increasing strength of the British navy. TRANSVAAL PRISONERS RELEASED. Colonel Henry White and Colonel Grey, two of Dr Jameson’s party who were sentenced in July to five months imprisonment without hard labour, for the part they took in the raid, have been released. THE UNIONIST PARTY.

Dec. 28,

Mr Balfour, speaking at Waddington, declared that the malevolent prophecy of division among the Unionist wings proved false, and that they were working together in absolute harmony ; further, that no revolution was likely to separate them.

RESIGNED. BELGRADE, Dec. 28. The Servian Government has resigned. FIGHTING IN SOUTH AFRICA.

CAPE TOWN, Dec. 28.

The rebels made a second attack on Pokwan, but sustained heavy loss. Fighting still goes on in the hills. THE STAMBULOFP MURDER.

SOFIA, Dec. 28.

At the trial of the prisoners for the murder of M. Stamhuloff his wife gave evidence that those in custody were innocent of the charge, and that the Count, prior to his death, knew who were the real assassins.

COUNT TOLSTOI EXCOMMUNICATED. ROME, Dec. 27,

The Holy Synod has excommunicated Count Lyof Tolstoi, and prohibited his writings on the ground of heresy. ’ AN ELOPEMENT. NEW YORK, Dec. 27.

Princess Caratnan Chinay, the daughter of an American plutocrat, has eloped with a Hungarian gipsy. BUDDHA’S BIRTHPLACE.

CALCUTTA, Dec. 28. Buddha’s birthplace has been discovered in the Nepaul Terai.