HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8153, 6 April 1895, Page 2

HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Received April 5, at 10.25 a.m. London, April 4. At tho annual mooting of the Bank of AuBtrala--U, Mr Allan G. tf. Gibbs, Chairman, said tho decrease in tho profits was duo to stagnation in trado and a reduotion in the amount of advances by tho bank. Ho hoped that a rovival of prosperity in tho colonies would enabU the institution to renevr increased dividends. Tho report of tho North British and Now Zealand Investment Company shows a protib of L3OOO, of which LlOOO is placed to tho reserve fund, and L 276 ia carried forward, tbo remainder being available for payment of a dividend, which tho directors recommend to bo at the rato of 3£ per cent.

Washington, April 3. Tho Republicans in tho Western States nwept tho board at tho spring elections. For their conupt administration in Chlcigo, they wore wholly defotted.

Stockholm, April 4. King O?car refuses to accept the resignation of the Norwegian Minister, and declines to resume negotiations with the majority, owing to (helatter'a rejection of previous conditions. Received April 5, at 10.45 a.m.

London, April 4. Harding and Sulliv vi will row for the championship of England, on the Thames, on September 9 h. In cio33-examin»tion, Wide ndmittfd that ho was acquiin'ed with young men named T-tylor, Parker, and Atkins. Tiylor had introduced him to five young men on separate occasions, to whom witness had given mooey, but he wa9 not awaro ony of them wore gentlemen's servants, lie said he derived pleasure from bring in the compiny of bright, happy popple. Witness had frequently ■ been iv Taylors room. He wua aware thpt both Taylor mid Parker had once been a- rested, but continued their friendship. Once he took Atkins and a youth nimoJ Price to Paris and introduced them to another youth named Ernest Scarp, who beoime acquainted with Lord Douglas. When makiog the voyago to | Australia, Wilde said ho had mida prospii's to Scarp and M^bor because he liked thoin. Letters read in Court proved that the Marquis of Queensbory w-ts endo woring to stop hia son visiting Wilde, and tint the son wired back to his father that Wilde was a funny lit tlo man. The Marquis subsequently callod at Wilde's house), where a furious snone took place. Tho latter denied the clmges levelled at him, and bhowed tho Marquis the door. Witness wrote to tho Marquis complain ing that his wife oncouragpd his Ron's visits. Wilde's friendship with L^cly Qnensbery and ■ons remained unbroken. Oort»ii) loiters from tho youths already named showed that the writers were poverty-stricken, some imploring assistance or employment. At an influential gathering of the Bimetallic League the Hon. A. J. Btlfour, in a jubilant speech, referred to tho imU'ovod prospects of bimetallism.

Received Aprils, at 9,15 p.m. London, April 4. Wilde admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if friends wore amusing. Lord A. I}ouglas' letters showed that ho threatened to shoot his father if ho attempted to thrash him. The Marquis' lottor referred to an eminent statesman, but tho referenoo was political. Wildo's caso is closed. Mr Car«on, in opening the defence, doolarcd that plaintiff's protegea were amongst the mo«b immoral poraons in London. Wildo's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims aa tho oxponont of culture. His literature alone justified the charges against him. In con" elusion ho claimed that defendant's witncsaoi, amongst whom was Wood, tho chief blackmailer, would prove his caso to the hilt.