SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6001, 10 February 1881, Page 5

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

[BY OABLE.J [kecter's telegrams. ] IRISH LAND BILL. London, February 7. It is now announced that it is the intention of the Government that the Irish Land Bill should, if possible, "become law before Easter, and every effort will be made to bring about this result. BOARD OF TRADE RETURNS. London*, February 7. The Board of Trade returns of imports for the past month amount to •£20,675,000, showing a decrease of £5,625,000. The exports amount to £17,312,500, shewing an increase of £375,000, as compared with the month of January, 18S0. COLLIERY ON FIRE. London, February 7. A disastrous fire has broken out in the colliery at Tuntall, Staffordshire. 20 colliers are entombed, and but little hope of rescuing them is entertained. A LAND LEAGUER SAILS FOR AUSTRALIA. London, February 7. T. W. Walsh, Land Leaguer, one of the traversers in tht; recent prosecution at Dublin, lias .started for Australia. THE COERCION BILL DEBATE. London, February 7. The debate on the Irish Coercion Bill has been resumed. The proceedings were in every respect orderly, and the debate is progressing satisfactorily. THE ASHANTEE THREATS. London, February 7. In the House of Commons to-day the Right Hon. M. E. Grant Duff, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, in reply to a question, .said that the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony had determined to resist the Ash ant ee demand for the surrender of the fugitive chiefs, and was making every defensive preparation in case of attack. THE IRISH LAND BILL. London, February 7. Mr. Gladstone announced in the House to-day that the Irish Land Bill would take precedence of all other business, after the Coercion Bill had been passed. MICHAEL DAVITT. London, February 7. Michael Davitt will be exempt from hard labour during his imprisonment for the remainder of the term of his sentence. LONDON MARKETS. London, February 7. Consols have declined to 98f. New Zealand securities are unchanged. Adelaide wheat has fallen one shilling per quarter, and is now quoted at 495, ex warehouse. Flour, ex warehouse, remains at 345, and New Zealand wheat, ex ship, at 445. Australian tallow remains at 34s 6d for best beef, and 39s for best mutton. COLONIAL NEWS. HARBOUR DEFENCE. Sydney, February 9. The Government has announced that a sum of £6000 will be spent in completing the torpedo defence of Sydney Harbour. A SHIP PUT BACK. Sydney, February 9. The barque John Knox which sailed from this port yesterday for Lyttelton, put back to-day for repairs, having met with a heavy sea and suffered serious injury to her bulwarks. THE LATE FIRE. Sydney, February 9. The jury has found that the fire at Becht's premises, Barrack-street, last month, was caused by some person or persons unknown, NEW SOUTH WALES ESTIMATES. Sydney, February 9. The estimates were tabled in the Assembly last night. The total expenditure is set down at £4,250,000, being an increase of £165,000. The increase is almost entirely in the expenditure for education. EXHIBITION AWARDS. Melbourne, February 9. The following Exhibition awards to New Zealand exhibitors are announced : —First prizes: William Lane and Co. (Dunedin) and Morgan O'Meara (Queenstown) for cordials. Third prizes : Hugh Cameron (Hokitika), Charles Chinnery (Rangiora), Alexander Robertson (Nelson), and James Seed (Southbrook) for flax; John Coe (Lake Ellesmere), P. Cunningham and Co. (Christchurch), C.Y.Dudley (Irwell, Canterbury), M. Bayer (Franklin, Otago), and L. D. T. Holloway (Richmond, Nelson) for wheat; W. A. Muir (Christchurch) for preserved meats; and Watkins, McNully and Co. (Dunedin) for hams and bacon. Fourth prizes : E. H. Banks (Christchurch), S. Clayden Wakefield (Nelson), P. Cunningham and Co. (Christchurch), C. Y. Dudley (Irwell, Canterbury), Geo. Kemp and Co. (Christchurch), W. Kelty (Tapanui, Southland), A. Mooreand Co. (Christchurch), Royse and Co.

(Christcliurcli), and Job Ville (Masterton) for wheat. Additional first award for grain : Mr. Gill, Tokomairiro.

In addition to the awards already announced, E. H. Banks, Christcliurch, receives third class for grain.