HOME AND FOREIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9242, 20 December 1888, Page 5

HOME AND FOREIGN.

Roceived Decembor'2o, 1.25 a.m.

THE DEBT OF THE COLONIES. Londox, December 19. At the lloyal Statistical Society this evening Mr. Gitfen, ttie statistician, delivered a lecture in which he said he expected troublesome times for the colonies. The wealth of Australia, he considered, must increase enormously to enable her to bear the present debt.

THE CESSION OF BECHUANA-

LAND.

London, December 19. In an article on the cession of Bechuanaland to tlie Cape, the Pall Mall Gazette strongly condemns Lord Knutsford's action in yielding the country to a handful of settlers, and it also condemns the surrender of half a million acres of West Australian territory to forty thousand settlers.

CONFESSION OF MURDER.

London, December 19. On September 23 a woman named Jane Beehmoor was murdered at Lethoen, Roxburgh, having been stabbed in the abdomen and other places. A man, William Waddell, who was arrested, and subsequently sentenced to death, has now confessed his guilt.

DEATH OF Sill WM. PEARCE. London, December 18. Tho death is announced of Sir W, Pearce, M.P., member of the shipbuilding firm of John Elder and Co.

SIR N. BROOME'S ADMINISTRATION. London, December 18.

Mr. F. A. Channing, member for Northamptonshire East, in committee of supply, moved a reduction of £1800 upon tho salary of Sir F. Napier Broome, Governor of Western Australia. He contended that the Governor was unfit for his duties by reason of his temper and reckless arbitrary use of the powers entrusted to him. Mr. Bradlaugh protested against the treatment of Mr. Hensman, proprietor of the West Australian newspaper. Baron do Worms replied that the Go vernment could not take notice of ex parte statements. There was no doubt Judge Onslow's conduct had been indiscreet. The vote was passed without alteration. ,

BISHOP BARRY. London, December 19. Bishop Barry arrives in London at Easter, to assume the Coadjutorship of the See of Rochester. Referring to the appointment, the Pall Mall Gazette says Dr. Barry is superior to a Sydney Bishopric, and considers it scandalous that it was left to Bishop Thorold of Rochester to enable England to avail herself of his abilities. Ihe St. James's Gazette warmly welcomes Bishop Barry to England.

ELECTION OF A CONSERVATIVE.

London, December 19. The election for Colchester seat in the House of Commons, rendered vacant by the death of Mr. H. Trotter, took place to-day. Lord Brooke, Conservative, was returned by a majority of 43G over the Home Rule candidate.

GOLD FOR RUSSIA. St. Petersburgh, December 18. Seven hundred thousand pounds in gold for Russia arrive on Thursday.

THE MARK ACT. London, December 19. The Chamber of Commerce to-day discussed the Mark Act, and urged the hardship of the mark on colonial grain and wool, as marking the bags disclosed the best markets. A resolution that the divulgence of the port- of origin was unnecessary when no English mark or name resembled that from the colonies, was carried.

NEW ZEALAND COPPER COMPANY. London, December 19. The New Zealand Copper Company are now alloting shares. It is proposed to remodel the company.