News by Cable.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 422, 13 March 1880, Page 16

News by Cable.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS)

London, March 2. The steamship Norfolk has arrived from Melbourne. March 3. Five per cent. New Zealand Loan 102, ex dividend ; 4| New Zealand Loan, 96J, ex dividend. Adelaide wheat is quiet at 59a. per 496 lbs., ex warehouse. The tallow market is steady at last quotations. The total stock in London on the Ist instant was 17,600 casks. At the wool sale to-day 8700 bales were offered, making a total of 134,300 offered since the opening. To-day's auction was firm, and the biddings were animated. Mr. Grissell, who was committed for a breach of privilege of the House of Commons last year, has been re-arrested on the same charge. Mr. W. Forster, late Agent-General for New South Wales, delivered a lecture on Colonisation before the Society of Arts. He attacked the immigration policy of the Australian Colonies, and remarked that political success was achieved by men of the worst commercial and social character. This aroused a hot discussion. Sir Charles iSicholson, Bart., Mr. H. R. Torr, Mr. Alderman Solomons, £«id others warmly commented on the lecture, and the discussion was stopped upon the ground of its strongly political character.

A more peaceful impression prevails since Ministers' speech on the German Army Bill. Friendly overtures made by General Roberts to hostile Afghan chiefs have not been attended with success. Mahomed Jan, who keeps the field with a large force, when first communicated with, evinced a seeming disposition to enter into negotiations with a view of terminating the war, but on ascertaining the terms of peace proposed, he expressed dissatisfaction, and refused any further •conference. It is reported that attempts were ineffectually made to renew diplomatic relations so that there is no alterr native left, other than to renew hostilities upon an extensive scale as soon as the severe weather moderates.

The Czar being in constant apprehension of an attemptuponhislife by Nihilists, has decided to leave St. Petersburg for the present, and return to Livadia, his palace in Southern Hussia.

March 5. Three per cent. Consols 97f. The Bank rate remains unchanged. The Bank of England weekly returns show the total reserve in notes and bullion -to be £16,625,000. Adelaide wheat and flour and Australian tallow remain at last quotations. At the wool sale, to-day, 9000 bales were offered. The tone of the sale was firm, and bidding was very active. The Australian and New Zealand (January) mails, via Suez, were delivered to-day. New Zealand wheat is quoted at 47s 9d. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,850,000 quarters. At the wool sales to-day 6600 bales were catalogued. The tone of the market was unchanged,^and continued firm. Best Australian beef tallow is selling at 35s 6d.

Tenders were opened to-day for £50,000, being the balance of the Oamaru waterworks five per cent, loan, the price of issue being 104. £58,000 was subscribed.

March 6.

In the House of Commons last night a series of resolutions in favor of optional local government throughout Great Britain were introduced by a member of the Opposition. A lengthy debate ensued, and on a division being called the resolutions were negatived by the House by a large majority. At the wool auctions over 150,000 bales have been catalogued since the opening, \ip to yesterday. The market has a firmer tone.

A Russian named Hartmann, who is charged with complicity in the late destruction by fire of the Academy of Forest Culture at Moscow, having escaped to France, the Russian. Government recently demanded the extradition of the fugitive. The French Government have, however, refused to deliver him to the Russian authorities, and he has since been deported to England. The ship Invercargill has arrived.

A gun has burst on board the Italian man-of-war Duilio, at La Spezzia. Ten sailors were wounded, and the turret was damaged.

March 8.

It has been announced to-day that * Parliament will be dissolved at Easter. The general elections will take place during April, and the new Parliament will, it is expected, be summoned for the despatch of business at the beginning of May. £Sir Staffordl Northcote, Chancellor of

the Exchequer, will submit his Budget statement to the House of Commons on Thursday next, the llth instant. Three per cent, consols, 98. The market for Australian wheat is strong ; Adelaide brands remain unchanged at 595., and New Zealand at 475. 9d. The tallow market is quiet ; best beef is worth 355. 6d., best mutton 375.

At the wool sales to-day 8400_ bales were offered, making a total of 159,200 catalogued since tho opening. The tone of the auction was firm, and there was a good demand for New South Wales fleece wools,

The Board of Trade returns of imports for the past month amount to £33,250,000, showing an increase of £4,562,500 compared with last year. The returns of exports amount to £17,437,500, being an increase of £3,781,250 on last year's returns for the same month (February).

March 9.

The Premier (Earl Beaconsfield) has issued a manifesto, addressed to the "Viceroy of Ireland, in which he invites the opinion of the country on the question of the maintenance of the unity of the British Empire. His further asks Ireland to express an opinion as to the necessity or otherwise for the predominance of English influence in the Councils of Europe. Washington, March 9.

President Hayes, in a message to the Senate, has pointed out that it is necessary that the construction and working of the Panama Canal should be under the control of the United States.

Constantinople, March 3.

Comeroff, one of the attaches to the Russian Embassy, who was recently wounded at Stamboul by the shot of an assassin, has died of the injuries he received.

Berlin, March 4.

The Emperor of Germany dined to-day at the French Embassy in this city. In the course of conversation with the Ambassador, his Majesty expressed most cordial feelings towards France. St. Petersburg, March 4.

Moodesey, the Nihilist, who was arrested in connection with the recent attempt on the life of General MelikofF, has been tried and found guilty of the offence. He has been sentenced to death, and will be hanged immediately. A Nihilist propaganda has been issued, expressing regret at the failure of the explosion at the Winter Palace, and stating that further attempts on the life of the Czar will be made unless he abdicates or grants the reforms of the Constitution demanded by the Nihilists. Santa Cruz, March 6.

Hostilities have again been resumed between Chili and Bolivia. The Chilian fleet attacked the town of Arica. The commander of the Huascar, which has lately been refitted by the Chilians, was killed in the engagement. Bombay, March 1.

The British Indian Steam Navigation Company's steamship "Vingorla, trading between the various ports on the Indian coast, foundered during a terrific gale encountered on the voyage from Bombay. The captain, chief officer, all the engineers, and 100 natives, comprising nearly all on board, were drowned. Mauritius, February 26. White sugar is selling at £34 ; half yellows, £32. Crop prospects are favorable. Freights are high and tonnage scarce.