The Lyttelton Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1898.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11536, 24 March 1898, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1898.

The British Government has protested against the French occupation of Boussa and Nikki in West Africa.

Sir George Newnes, the proprietor of TitBits and other publications, is equipping an Antarctic expedition. Mr Gladstone’s health lias not improved. It is expected that the venerable statesman will have to undergo an operation. The Chinese* loan has been largely oversubscribed in Germany. Japan is purchasing transport vessels and. largely increasing her force of marines. Mahmud, the Dervish general, is trying to avoid the British and attack the Berber route, which is well defended. It is stated that a Russian admiral has been dismissed, and that one hundred and twenty persons have been arrested on account of extensive frauds in connection with the supply of coal to Russian warships.

At bbo trial of Wertheiru for the murder of Joel at Johannesburg it was deposed that the murderer had written threatening letters to Joel, demanding money for the removal of President Kruger. There have been further scenes in the Austrian Keichsrath, and when _ Herr Fuchs was proposed for the Presidency of the Chamber, the German Nationalist members shouted “ Vagabond! ” and “ Gaol-bird !”

The International Postal Conference will meet in June.

The British Ambassador at Washington states that the report of the Committee of the Senate has misrepresented Great Britain’s attitude with regard to Hawaii. Before being executed at Wellington yesterday morning, Philpott confessed to having murdered Alexander Hawthorne, during a quarrel, on the afternoon of Sept. 7, 1897.

It is rumoured that Sir Hugh Nelson will resign the Premiership of Queensland for the purpose of becoming President of the Legislative Council in succession to the late Sir Arthur Palmer. The cricket match between Stoddart’s team and South Australia was continued at Adelaide yesterday. The Englishmen completed their second innings for 399; thus leaving the Australians 335 to make to win, and when the stumps and the match were drawn they had compiled 267 for the loss of only two wickets. The Englishmen leave Adelaide cn route for Home to-day.

Later news from the New Hebrides shows that Dr Lamb’s mission station was not so seriously damaged by the recent hurricane as was at first reported.

The Otago Jubilee was celebrated in Dunedin yesterday with a number of ceremonies and festivities. The weather was very favourable, and the extensive programme appears to have been carried out with great success. The autumn meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was commenced at Porbury yesterday, when the Cup was won by Mr K. Kay’s Starshot.