ENGLISH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 662, 31 October 1884, Page 20

ENGLISH.

bettter’s telegrams

THE GOVERNOR OE NEW guinea.

London, October 23. Major-General Scratchley, the newly-appointed Governor of New Guinea will sail for Australia in five weeks’ time. THE QUEEN’S SPEECH. The following forecast of the Queen’s Speech, to be delivered at the opening of Parliament to-morrow for the autumn session, has been obtained. Allusion will be made to the continued friendliness of relations with foreign Powers. Regret will be expressed at the failure of the Conference which recently sat to discuss the Egyptian question, and also at the necessity which has arisen for the Soudan campaign. Reference will be made to Lord Northbrook’s mission in Egypt, and a hope expressed that it may conduce to the welfare of that country. Expectation of a peaceful settlement of the difficulties which have arisen in South Africa will bo expressed, the importance of enforcing the Transvaal convention being nevertheless fully recognised. The Sp^J l will also allude to the Franchise Bill, trusting that the measure will be promptly sanctioned by both Houses of Parliament. London, October 22. Parliament was opened to-day by Commission. The Speech from the Throne stated that the Houses had been summoned to further consider the question of the representation of the people. The position of affairs in the Soudan was one of painful uncertainty. Her Majesty warmly recognised the energy, courage, and resource of General Gordon in the defence of Khartoum, and that he was doing his best to promote an improvement of affairs in the Soudan.. The Egyptian Government were supporting Her Majesty’s advisers in the difficult financial position arising out of the failure of the conference. Regret was expressed at recent events on the Transvaal frontier, and the Speech announces that, conjointly with the Government of Cape Colony, the Government will consider the best means to secure the faithful observance of the 1 ransvaal Convention. The Franchise Bill is the only measure the introduction of which is promised by the Speech. MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL. London, October 23. Consols have further declined to lOlf. New Zealand securities are unchanged. The total reserve in the Bank of England in notes and bullion is £10,600,009, and the proportion of reserve to liabilities, 37 per cent. The bank rate of discount remains at 3 per cent., and the market rate at 2f. Adelaide wheat, ex store, is unchanged at 365, and New Zealand ditto.at 31s to 31s. Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 255. Tallow—Average quality Australian beef and mutton, 33s 6d. London, October 24. Consols remain at lOOjy, and. New Zealand securities at last quotations.. Prime !New Zealand mutton is quoted at 6|d. Wheat is unchanged. Adelaide, ex store, 36s ; New Zealand ditto, 31s to 345. Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 255. The total quantity of wheat on passage and shipping for the United Kingdom is l,6.oo,ooo;quarters. A further advance is quoted m the ' price of tallow.. Average quality Australian beef is now worth 345, mutton, 34s 6d. . London, October 24. Arrived, at Plymouth yesterday, P. and O. steamship Ballarat, from Melbourne (August 20). . The Address in Reply was voted in the House of Lords last evening by a substantial majority. . In reply to a question, Lord Derby stated that if the assent of the New South Wales Government was notified in time, the proposed Federation Enabling Bill would be introduced m the House of Lords during the present session. . In the House of Commons, last night Mr Gladstone was questioned regarding the state of the navy, and in reply announced that for a Jong time past the Admiralty had been engaged in examining the condition of the navy, and that a statement would be made during the month of N ovember. _ London, October 2 b. The Homeward mails, via San Fran-

cisco, dated Auckland, September 16, were delivered here to-day. NEW GUINEA. In the House of Commons to-day, the Hon. Evelyn Ashley was questioned regarding the nature of the annexation of New Guinea, and, in reply, stated that it would be impossible at the present time to define the limits of the territory over which the protection of British authority was about to be placed, but that the limits would be extended as far as local circumstances might demand. The Under-Secretary for the Colonies further stated that settlement in New Guinea was at present prohibited, and with regard to the northern portion of the island which is claimed by Holland, that no agreement had been come to with the German Government as to its occupation by a European Power. THE HYDE PARK DEMONSTRATION.

London, October 27. An immense demonstration taok place to-day, in Hyde Park, on the Reform question, when a resolution was passed in favor of the abolition of the House of Lords. Fully 100,000 persons were present, and the proceedings passed off in an orderly manner. Per Merchant Shipping and Underwriters’ Association : —Arrived, 27th October —Ship Port Adelaide (27th June). THE RECIDIYISTES BILL. The Times to-day approves of the action of the French Senate in regard to the Recidivistes Bill, and expresses a hope that the Government will see its way to exempt New Caledonia from the list of places to which criminals shall continue to be sent. SOUDAN PAPERS BEFORE PARLIAMENT. London, October 27. Papers in regard to the Soudan have been laid before Parliament. They show that General Gordon considers it impossible to leave Khartoum ungoverned, and that Lord Wolseley’s instructions are to bring away General Gordon and Colonel Stewart from Khartoum, and that he is forbidden to undertake any ulterior operations. It is further shown that England and Egypt have decided to refuse to governthe territory of the Soudan lying south of Wady Haifa. (special to united press association^ THE LATE SIR ROBERT TORRENS. London, October 22. The Council of the Royal Colonial Institute have adopted a resolution expressive of regret at the death of Sir Robert Torrens. THE LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVES STONED. The Marquis of Salisbury was stoned while on a visit to Dumfries. London, October, 24. The prospectus of the Willawie Pastoral Company of Adelaide will be published on Saturday. THE RECIDIVISTE QUESTION. In the French Chambers the Recidiviste Bill came up for discussion. M. Berenger vigor ously opposed the measure. M. Rousseau insists that relegation was the only solution of the criminal problem. The discussion has been adjourned. RESIGNATION OF A MINISTRY. The Belgian Ministry have resigned. THE NEW GUINEA QUESTION. Lord Derby considers that it is better that England should risk the jealousy of the Powers than incur the resentment of Australia respecting New Guinea. THE ERANCHISE BILL. The Liberals have agreed not to discuss the Franchise Bill. THE FEDERATION CONFERENCE. Lord Derby’s decision in reference to the New South Wales Federation Conference is expected to be given next week. The Lords have been allowed time to discuss the Federation Enabling Bill, but Lord Derby is at present unable to state whether the House of Commons may he able to consider the measure. NEW GUINEA PROTECTORATE London, October 25. In the House of Commons Sir Evelyn Ashley stated that the protection about to be established over New Guinea would extend inland, according to local- requirements. It would also cover all foreign residents, and that Major-General Scratchley would provide for the ultimate settlement of New Guinea. He further stated that no arrangement had been come to with Germany, whereby that Power should-

occupy the northern portion of New Guinea. THE lONIC’S FROZEN MEAT. The meat by the lonic is selling at 6|d per pound. RECIDIYISTES FOR NEW CALEDONIA. M. Favre considers that the Governor of New Caledonia will soon request an increase in the number of convict artisans sent to that island. M. Favre also maintains that a fifth of the recidivistes should be sent to that island. WHEAT MARKET. The wheat market is unchanged. London, October 26. Obituary—Sir Valentine Fleming, formerly Chief Justice of Tasmania. It is proposed to register the Bank of South Australia as a limited liability company. GERMAN LINE OF STEAMERS. Prince Bismarck proposes to subsidise for a period of fifteen years a German line of steamers to the Australian capitals, with branches to Tonga, Samoa, and Brisbane. The French Senate, by an immense majority, have approved of the principle of the relegation of criminals, but they refused to define the places to which they should be relegated. THE FRANCHISE BILL. The Marquis of Salisbury proposes to postpone the committal of the Franchise Bill until a remote date, so as to enable the Government to proceed with their redistribution scheme.

Sir Thomas Brassey, M.P., succeeds Mr H. Campbell Bannerman as Secretary to the Admiralty. The Franchise Bill will come on for its second reading on Thursday next. FRANCHISE DEMONSTRATION. London, October 27.

A great demonstration has taken place at Hyde Park in connection with the Franchise Bill. There were about 80,000 people present, and the House of Lords was strongly denounced by various speakers. Lord Wolseley will start for Dongola on Tuesday. London, October 27.

The Melbourne Tramway Companv’s half million 4 per cent, loan is announced. The minimum has been fixed at par. Tenders will be opened on November 6th.

The various Agents-General have held a meeting to discuss Pacific affairs. The agents were disposed to refrain from pressing Lord Derby for a reply at present. It is considered that the passage of the Recidivistes Bill through the French Senate appears inevitable.