BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11226, 25 March 1897, Page 5

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Br BXBCTKIC TELKaRAPn—COPTRiaHT.] [Per Press Association.! THE COSTA RICA PACKET. LONDON, March 23. Dutch newspapers regret that the Netherlands Giovernment rejected Great Britain’s proposal in 1893 to pay £2500 in satisfaction of the claims in the Costa Rica Packet case. They also allege that the essential points of the claim were not made out. NEW STEAMSHIP SERYICE. The Times states that Messrs Peterson and Co., of Newcastle, have entered into a provisional contract with the Canadian Government for the establishment of a twenty-knot steam service between England and Canada. The subsidy is much below that for which the Allan line offered, in 1896, to carry out a similar service. NTOREOLK ISLAND. In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain, in replying to a question, said that the Governor of New South Wales controlled Norfolk Island, and was certain to watch the land questions. A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT. PRETORIA,' March 23. An agreement has been arrived at between the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, by which the Burghers shall be entitled to the franchise in both States. The agreement, however, is subject to confirmation by the Volksraad of both Republics. THE BUBONIC PLAGUE. CALCUTTA, March 23. The natives of Bombay are opposing the segregation of patients afflicted with the plague. They smashed a van in which a number of cases were being taken to the hospital. The Moslems also asked for exemption from segregation, but the request was refused. AN IMPOSING CEREMONY. BERLIN, March 23.

The Emperor William unveiled a national monument to William the Great, the ceremony being a most imposing one. p