CABLE BRIEFS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7958, 15 April 1904, Page 3

CABLE BRIEFS.

At the distribution of prizes in the Hawkosbury College, J. B. Valder, a New Zealander, received a diploma, third aggregate prize, and sheep wool prize.

Corbett has issued a writ claiming £1000 damages in connection with his disqualification in the Sydney £1000 race. It will be heard in the Supreme Court at the beginning of June. Lord Cromer's report on the Soudan states that the result of enquiries made by Major-General Sir F. B. Wingate, Gov-ernor-General, as to the approximate population is amazing. Prior to the Dervish rule the population numbered 9,525,000, but now the numbers are 1,870,000. The deaths from disease are estimated at 3,500,000, and external and internal war 3,750,000.

Three prospectors found a 54 ounce nugget at Wedderburn.

Mr W. T. Stead greatly gratified a Dutch meeting in Johannesburg by stating that South Africa was, like Australia, entitled to its own flag. He added that the Imperial connection existed by consent and was eeverable similarly.

Tenders are being invited, to be in before the 21st, for 514,000 sleepers of jarrah, karri, and other Australian hardwood, or djatfci timber, for the Central and South African railways.

Artal's knife struck the Premier's (Senor Maura) court uniform. All Spaniards applaud Senor Maura's coolness in plucking out the weapon and going to the telephone office to despatch the news of the attempt to Madrid. The inhabitants of Barcelona ar6 closing their shops to-day as a mark of reprobation at the crime.

The House of Commons has resumed its session after the Easter recess. During tho consideration of the naval Estimates, Sir C. Dilke declared that it was impossible to retrench naval construction while Germany persists in developing with such extraordinary rapidity a navy which was intended to challenge Britain's.