SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7826, 21 December 1886, Page 5

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

[press association.] A PERSONAL EXPLANATION. - London, December 19.. Mr. Christie, late manager of the FiJ? Departments of the South Britishj National, and Adelaide Fire and Marine Insurance Companies, states that he resigned spontaneously, feeling himself unable to execute the orders from the head offices which affected the business. DUTY ON SUGAR. London, December 19. The export duty on sugar from Java has been remitted for five years. [reuter's cablegram.] THE POSTAL UNION. London, December 18. Receiving a deputation yesterday, the Postmaster-General expressed ft hope that the Australian colonies would join the Postal Union. London, December 19. The colonies have submitted the conditions for the postal contract, and have asked Mr. Raikes to negotiate with the steamer companies. FRENCH BUDGET VOTED. Paris, December 18. In the Chamber of Deputies yesterday a temporary budget was voted, and the present session of Parliament closed. THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW GUINEA. London, December 18. It is announced that the Government will not proclaim British sovereignty . over New Guinea, unless the Australian colonies are prepared to give a permanent grant for the proper administration of the affairs of the country.. In the event of this being done the Imperial Government will assist. HOMEWARD MAILS DELIVERED. London, December 18. The homeward mails per the Union Company's. Australia from Auckland November 9 were delivered in London to-day via San Francisco. London, December 18. The mails per Messageries Maritimes, from Sydney and Melbourne on November 6, were delivered to-day. THE GERMAN ARMY INCREASE. Berlin, December 18, The Reichstag has been adjourned for the Christmas holidays without having made further progress with the Bill providing for an increase of the army. PRESENTATION TO SIR P. C. OWEN. London, December 18. Mr. Tupper, on behalf of the Execu tive Commissioners of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, presented Sir Cunliffe Owen with a service of plate. In making the presentation Mr. Tupper eulogised the service rendered by Sir C. Owen to the Exhibition. Sir Philip C. Owen, in expressing thanks, said he was convinced that the Exhibition would knit together the colonies and England, and develop the commercial interests of the former. LONDON COMMERCIAL NEWS. London, Decembar IT. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom for the week is 1,590,000 quarters, an increase of 10,000 quarters for the week; Colonial breadstuff's remain unchanged at previous quotation)). Australian beef tallow has fallen Is, and mutton tallow is being quoted at 295, and beef tallow at 26s 9d. Consols remain at 100^. New Zealand 4 per cent, inscribed stock i per cent, lower, and is now quoted at 96 • New Zealand 4i per cent. 5 '30 loan is 99f ; New Zealand 5 per cent. 10-40 loan is 102. New Zealand mutton shows a rise of from £d to £d per lb., and is now selling at from 4£d to 4|d per lb,, on . the Smithfield market. [per n.z.l. AND M.A. CO.! London, December 18, Kauri Gum: The market has an .upward tendency. Medium qualities are in good demand. THE RUAPEHU. London, December 18. The R.M.S. Ruapehu sailed this afternoon for New Zealand, calling at Madeira and the Cape en route.