The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1897.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11367, 7 September 1897, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1897.

At an interview with the Hon A. J. Cadman, yesterday afternoon, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce brought under the Minister’s notice the question of the extension of railway lines, notably the East and West Coast Eailway, and the inequalities of tariffs as between the North and South Islands. Mr Cadman promised to try and remedy defects one by one, but pointed out that a larger sum of money than could be obtained from revenue was necessary before any substantial extensions could be effected. The Federation Convention now sitting in Sydney spent the greater part of yesterday in committee discussing matters of finance. The first-class cruiser Eoyal Arthur has been appointed flagship on the Australian station. Barril, who is said to have been an accomplice of Golli, the assassin of Senor Canovas, has been arrested at Barcelona for firing at and seriously injuring the Chief of the Special Police and his assistant. The London Cabdrivers’ Union has protested to the authorities against the introduction of motor cars in street traffic. The London Ivonfounders’ Society has declined to join in the demand for an eighthours day. The Engineers’ Union is appealing to the British Trades Union Congress for financial support. Three hundred Turks have been arrested at Constantinople during the past few days on the ground that they were associated with the Young Turkish movement. Disease is decimating the Turkish army occupying Thessaly. Native chiefs in all parts of India have offered the services of their troops in the efforts of the Indian Government to quell the revolt of the tribesmen. The Viceroy of India has accepted the services of four infantry battalions and two companies of sappers from the Punjaub. He has also accepted offers of transport trains from the Maharajahs of Gwalior and Jaipur. Three thousand five hundred jtribesmeu attacked the Balishkpel post in the Kurram Valley. After five hours’ fighting the garrison were reinforced, and compelled the enemy to retire. Colonel Kelly, who took part in the Chitral campaign, and who is at present on furlough in Sydney, referring to the present difficulties in India, says that the mollahs are powerful factors in the dispute, but that it is an exaggeration to apeak of the dispute as a Holy War. If the Ameer is playing fast and loose there will be serious trouble, but if he is friendly there will not. The London quotations for frozen mutton are -.—Canterbury 3|d, Dunedin and Southland 3*d, North Island 3&d. Lamb, prime Canterbury 3|d, fair average quality, including Dunedin, Southland, Wellington and secondary Canterbury 2|d. Eiver Plate sheep are quoted at 2&d for heavy and 2fd for light. The foreign Ambassadors in Constantinople have recommended the Porte to adopt measures to facilitate the return of Greek refugees to Thessaly. Prolonged drought has destroyed vegetation in Central Eussia, and made it impossible to sow winter wheat and other crops. Grain is now selling at extravagant prices, and a famine is feared.