HOME AND FOREIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8693, 9 October 1891, Page 5

HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press Association. Teltqraph.—Copyright GERMAN COLONISATION. Berlin, October 7. The New Guinea Company announce that the Kaiser Wilheltn plantation is badly situated, and advises its members to exchange shares into the Astrolobe Company, which is being formed in Berlin for the purpose of growing tobacco on its land in New Guinea. FRANCE AND THE NEW HEBRIDES. London, October 7. A leading member of the French New Hebrides Company told Sir 6. Berry, Agent-General of Victoria, that " M. liibot, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, seemed disposed to consider a proposal to exchange French interests in the group for an . equivalent elsewhere. Another idea that has been ' mooted is the formation of an international company holding a chartee from England and France conjointly, to develop the French company's 3,000,000 acres. Mr. Higginson, who is a leading man in the company, opposes the first, but approves the second proposal. Sir G. Berry replied that Australia's interests must be conserved, and , Australia could afford to wait. RELIGIOUiTREUNION. London, October 7. Mr. Gladstone, in a letter to the Press, predicts the early reunion of the Presbyterian bodies, and also of the Baptists and Congregation but thinks it will be difficult to include the . Methodists. DEATH OF SIR JOHN POPE HENNESSY. . ' _ London, October 7. The death is announced of Sir J. Pope Hennessy, M.P. for Kilkenny North. MR. W. H. SMITH'S DEATH. ■ London, October 7. The death of Mr. W. 11. Smith, Government leader in. the House of Commons, was due to a chill caught while yachting. Acute gout followed, and this succeeded in reaching his heart. Mr. Gladstone sent a telegram of condolence, and recognising the fine qualities of the decased gentleman and his devotion to the public service. All the English newspapers make a generous reference to the deceased, and the Times states no man will be more difficult to replace. Since .Mr. Smith's death it has been I made public that when the Baring crisis was imminent he offered Mr. Lidderdale, governor of the Bank of England, a hundred thousand pounds of his own money if money could avert a crisis. The offer was, however, declined. CHURCH AND STATE. London, October 7. Bishop Moorhouse, speaking at the Church Congress at Rhyl, declared that the proposal to disendow the Church of England in' Wales meant piecemeal disendowment of the Church of England. He. asserted that the voluntary system in Australia was unable to prevent growing neglect, though the working man was comparatively rich. ,