NEWS BY CABLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 880, 11 January 1889, Page 25

NEWS BY CABLE.

By Slectric TBi/EOKAru.— Copyright. ENGLISH. (per press association.) London, January 1. Gas made from water by (lie Leeds Forge Company saves Ijlo,ooi> yearly at their works. It is produced at a cost of under 4d per 1000 ft. Mr D. Sheehan, M. P., has been convicted of conspiracy. Sentence was suspended owing to his illhealth. The series of wool sales at Antwerp will probably open on January 14. London, January 2.

Mr J. Finucane, M.P. for Lime rick East, was sentenced to foi*r months’ imprisonment for conspiracy. Notice of appeal was given. The Daily News states that the liabilities of David Clarkson are estimated.at .£IBO,OOO.

London, January 3. It is probable that negotiations will be renewed for the union of the Free and United Churches of Scotland. Mr Westgafth read's a paper on Australian finances at a meeting of the Colonial Institute on the 12th of February. Desperate resistance was offered to the evictions on Olphert’s estate inDonegal. Two hundred police and soldiers were engaged, and the latter were about to fire when a priest persuaded the people to surrender. Obituary—General Bligb, a New Zealand campaigner. Mr Gladstone intends to visit the Pope, as an act of politeness. A sugar syndicate has been registered to watch legislation and assist in the adjustment of subsidies and drawbacks, and repress adulterations. The Colonial Institute will entertain the Prince of Wales at a banquet on March 13.

Sir. Herbert Bruce Sandford, Knight Batchelor, and Roger T. Goldsworthy, C.M.G., formerly Colonial Secretary of Western Australia, and now Governor of British Honduras, have been created Knights Commanders of St. Michael and St. George.'' Naval relief crews have been ordered for ' H.M. J‘ vessels Royalist, Opal, Raven, Dart, and Paluma, now on the Australian station.

The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,272,000 quarters ; for the Continent, 404,000 quarters. The American visible wheat supply is 38,375,000 bushels. An Australian off-coast cargo of wheat has been sold at from 39s to 39s 6d. Flour, ex store, is quoted at from 28s 6d to 295. Tin, LIOO 15s. Copper, Clxili bars, are quoted at LBB ss. Galvanised iron (Orb brand), Ll 7. Leather is at 9£d to lOd. It is rumoured that the Princess Louise of Wales is engaged to Lord Fife. It is expected that the Committee of National Defence will recommend the immediate construction of many ironclads and fast cruisers for the purpose of bringing up the Navy to an adequate strength. It is reported that it is intended to divide the See of Rochester, Dr Barry, ex-bishop of Sydney, receiving the new bishopric, to be known as the diocese of Southwark. The rates of freight by sailing ships are unaltered. Vessels are very scarce. The following are the latest quotations for frozen meat: —Australian mutton, 3Jd ; New Zealand mutton, 3|d ; beef, 3£d to 4d. The imports of Australian wines into England during 1888 were 70,000 gallons in excess of the quantity imported in the previous year. January 4. Money is declining, owing to the abundant supplies. The total reserve in the Bank of England is LI 1,086,000, a decrease on the previous week of L 536,000. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 30 per cent. Arrived—Barque Abbey Holm, from Lyttelton (August 17) ; ship Crusader, from Auckland (11th October) ; ship Kooringa, from Lyttelton (28th September). General Grenfell has left Suakim with a portion of tbe British troops, but before leaving he stated that a garrison of 3000 men would always be maintained in the town. London, January 4. Mr Thomas Sexton, M.P., for Belfast, has been re-elected Lord Mayor of Dublin Dr Parker, a leading Independent clergyman, in the course of au interview on tbe effect of the stage on the morals of the people, expressed his opinion that some actors were the best Christians that ever lived, while others were the refuse of the theatrical world. In some instances the stage served as good a purpose as the church. A girl 10 years of age has been outraged and murdered at Youthbridge, Somersetshire. The body was shockingly mutilated. No arrests have yet been made.

It is proposed to construct an underground Tailway from St James’street, Piccadilly, to Holborn Circus. The Timeß, in the course of an article on the accusation of the Colagne Gazette against Sir R. Morier, says the attack on him is part o,f a system of persecution which is being directed against all who, were nearest and dearest to the Empprov Frederick. Thp. present of 25 guineas by Her Majesty to Fraulein Wiedemann, the'plaintiff in the recent broach of promise case against Mr R. H. Walpole, heir to the Earldom of Orfo'rd. was made on the Queen first hearing of the girl’s misfoitune and Borne time prior to the trial taking place. Considerable excitement has been occasioned both at Liverpool and Birmingham owing to doubts having arisen as to the bona fides of Professor Friend’s Electric Sugar Company. The shares, which were quoted at Ll2O, had a tremendous fall, and are offering now at LlO. It is stated that only refined sugar was being treated. A second deputation, headed by Sir William Armstrong, waited on the Premier to-day, urging that the defence of the ports was a national duty and not a local one. The Marquis of Salisbury, in reply, said while they ought to avoid taking any steps which might lead to a panic, the existing state of affairs throughout tbe world rendered it imperative that England should strengthen her defences. He admitted that such defences were of a national character, but contended that the localities so defended should bear a, portion of the expenditure. The Government, be added, intended to submit the question for the consideration of the House of Commons. London, January 5. The appointment of Sir H. W.

Norman as Governor of Queensland, and Earl of Kintore, as Governor of South Australia, have been gazetted. Mr W. O’Brien, editor of the United Ireland, has been summoned to answer a charge of inciting the Kerry people to resist the payment of rents. London, January 5. A cargo of Adelaide wheat has been sold at 39s 9d. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company yesterday a dividend of 10 per cent and a bonus of 5 per. cent was declared ; L 12,000 was carried to the reserve fund. Owing to the operations of the syndicate,copper hasadvanced to LIO4 per ton. New Consols are active at 98L New Zealand .4 per cents inscribed are also active at 100. Australian wheat, ex store, 435, with market firm ; New Zealand longberried, 435. The English wheat market is dull, the Continental firm, while the American is steady. Offcoast cargoes are not meeting with ready sale. For forward shipment sellers ask 40s; New Zealand wheat on passage averages 39s ; Australian flour, ex store, 30s; New Zealand, 26s Gd. Sugar, German, 14s; Java, L7s, nominal. Tallow-—Best mutton, 34s 3s ; beef, 335. Tin plates, charcoal, 19s per box. London, January 0.

Mr Gladstone, .ia a letter to the press, asserts that the seven years’ duration of Parliament under the Septennial Act is the only cause which is blocking Home Rule for Ireland. The Economist says the Panama Canal Company is in a hopeless condition. London, January 7. A destructive fire broke out in the premises of Messrs Fitters, meat salesmen, in Smithfiold, to-day, and, before the flames were mastered, 12 shops were destroyed. Very little frozen meat was burnt. London, January 7. Lord R. Churchill has purchased the racehorse Iddesleigh for 2000 guineas. The accident to the Rev C. H. Spurgeon took place at Mentone, France, where be was visiting for the benefit of his health. He accidentally fell downstairs, knocking out two of his teeth and loosening three others, and received a shock to his system. The Antwerp wool sales will commence on the 15ih and close on the 18th inst. The catalogue will comprise 12,440 bales, including 3655 from Australia. SPECIAL. (?ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, January 1. The Earl of Aberdeen, speaking on the subject of the appointment of colonial Governors, said he considered the action of Queensland was a temperate assertion of her rights. The Board of Trade is compelling the electric light companies to obtain Parliamentary sanction to their operations. Sir W. Gull, the well known physician, is seriously ill. Mr Matthews, the Home Secretary, refused to .reprieve the two lads who brutally murdered au overseer at Tunbridge Wells, aud they were executed, beiftg repentant at the last. Three thousand pounds’ worth of jewellery has been stolen by burglars from the house of the Austrian Ambassador in London. Mr Ruskin is ill, and much anxiety is felt on his account. The Pall Mall Gazette says the Queen recently sent a present of L 25 to Miss Wiedemann, the plaintiff in the breach of promise action against the heir to the Earldom of Orford. The prevalence of fogs has caused a number of railway and shipping fatalities. The Primrose League is stated to now number 800,000 members, and its ranks are still increasing. Captain Lake, late of H.M.S. Nelson, has been appointed President of Greenwich Naval College. The English Government view the visit of Mr, Gladstone to the Vatican with disfavour. Tbe Standard states that the copper syndicate will control 150,000 tons, which have absorbed twelve millions of capital. The interest on this amounts to something like half a million per annum, arid stocks are still growing. As the imports from Chili, America and Australia are increasing, the Standard is of opinion that a crisis is imminent.

Truth asserts that the Earl of Kintore was appointed to the Governorship of South Australia because the

captaincy of the Yeomen of the Guard j is to be abolished to facilitate royal , economy. • The name of the Bradford murder victim was Gill, which gave rise to the supposition that the child was a girl. At the inquest the police are endeavouring to prove that the accused Burnett and the boy were delivering milk when tbe former decoyed him into the stables and there committed the crime. London, January 3. Mr Gladstone, in an article in the Nineteenth Century, says that Daniel O’Connell was the greatest popular leader of the century, and the greatest Irishman who ever lived. lie was superior to such national leaders as Kossuth, Mazzini, aud Cavour. The English hatred to Ireland was inherited, and was indicative of the feelings of wrongdoers to the wronged nation. Mr L. Courtney, Chairman of Committee in the House of Commons, has been created a Privy Councillor. Baron Bramwell has been created a baronet. Sir W. Gull is recovering from bis illness. _ .London, January 3. Mr Dunn, the sugar expert, states that last year’s prices were the highest averaged for five years past. He asserts that the bounties system will ruin the colonial sugar industry. Messrs Bunton, Ronald, and Co., woolbrokers, report that the prospects for 1889 indicate a steady Bupply and firm prices. Mr E. Stanhope, in a letter to the press, says the Imperial Conference was unanimous as to the necessity of unity upon defence and other questions of like import, which are rapidly ripening. Mr Gladstone modifies his recent utterances with regard to tbe temporal status of the Pope. He states he is not desirous of seeing the Temporal Power restored, but is anxious that the Papal prestige should be maintained.

The tenants who were besieged on Sir W. Olphert’s estate held out five hours against the soldiers and police before they were induced to surrender. Mr Myles Fenton, General Manager of the South-Eastern Railway Company, lias been knighted. London, January 4. A lad named Stevenson, 19 years of age, stabbed a Glasgow prostitute in the neck and abdomen. The woman was not killed, but is in a precarious condition. The culprit was remanded. He admitted that the desire to imitate Jack the Ripper had induced him to commit the crime. TrumaD, Hanbury, Buxton and Co., brewers, of Brick-lane, London, have converted their business into a Company with a capital of two and a half millions. London, January 5. In the course of an interview, Lord Hampton (formerly Sir H. Brand, Speaker of the House of Commons) said federation was desirable, but its accomplishment waß remote. At present he thought it would even be dangerous in view of the somewhat loose relations of the colonies to the Mother Country. The Blake difficulty should act as a warning to sanguine federationists. It was imperatively necessary, from the nature of the elements to* be dealt with, that federation should be brought about gradually. It must also be elastic in character, and limited to the control of Customs, police and military arrangements. What might be possible in Ireland and Scotland might be found intolerable in the colonies. Lord Hampden concluded by saying he thought it would be found impossible to create a uniform tariff. He did not consider that the imposition of a Protective tariff on British imports by the colonies would be an obstacle to federation. The crew of H.M.S. Diamond will be paid off, and the vessel sold. The Rev Mr Spurgeon, writing in Sword and Trowel, says the Imperial Parliament, as a time-honoured institution, is degraded by the actions of obstructionists. _ London, January 7. Forty Brennan torpedoes are being placed in position, for coast defence. Sheerness has beeix appointed the testing station. Lords Onslow will give a farewell banquet at Guilford on 6th February. The Rev C. H. Spurgeon has been injured by a fall. The personality of the late Sir W. Pearce has been sworn at under a million and a quarter. A labourer has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the murder and mutilation of a girl at Yeathbridge, in Somersetshire.

The late Lady Brassey’u book on her last voyage (during which she fell ill aud died) will be published in February. The Queen has .'announced her intention of bequeathing her Jubilee presents to the nation. Obituary.—Halliwell Phillips,Shakespearian scholar. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) have received the following telegram from their London office, dated the Ist instant:—“ New Zealand Hemp— Market quiet. The speculative demand batf fallen off.” CONTINENTAL. (PER press association.) Berlin, January 2. The German authorities have increased the stringency of the passport regulations for Frenehmen visiting Alsace and Lorraine. Belgrade, January 2. King Milan insists on the new Servian Constitution being adopted in its entirety, otherwise he threatens to dissolve the Skuptschina aud rule hitnself. His firmness is expected to succeed. Belgrade, January 3. The Skuptschina adopted the new Servian Constitution by a majority of 429.

St. Petersburg, January 2. The mental depression of the Czarina is increasing.

It has been discovered that the recent accident to the train conveying the Imperial family, whereby some twenty lives were lost, was the result of a deliberate plot, concocted by dismissed railway officials and the Nihilists. Many arrests have been made. Rome, January 1. King Humbert, addressing hie Ministers, said his most ardent desire was to maintain peace, and he firmly believed it was assured during 1889. Vienna, January 1. M. Tisza, the Prime Minister of Hungary, in his reply to a deputation bringing New Year congratulations, gave utterance to pacific expressions Similar to those of the King of Italy. The Emperor Francis, writing to the Emperor of Germany and tLe King of Italy, expresses complete confidence that peace will be maintained. Paeis, January 2. President Carnot, speakihg at his official reception yesterday, by implication, gave his hearers to understand that peace must be maintained during the Exhibition year. Berlin. January 3. The Emperor William has conferred the Order of the Black Eagle on Herr von Putkamer, formerly Vice-President of the Prussian Council and Minister of the Interior. Paeis, January 4. General Boulanger has issued an address to the electors of Paris in which he protests his fidelity to the Republic, and repudiates any designs to make himßelf Dictator. Belgrade, January 4. The King of Servia has granted a general amnesty and dissolved the Skuptschina. Beelin, January 4. The Cologne Gazette having published au article to the effect that Sir R. Morier, at present British Ambassador at Sc Petersburg, bad, when Secretary of the British Legation to the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, and during the Franco-Prussian war, betrayed the movements oi the German army to the French, Sir R. Morier wrote to Count Herbert Bismarck indignantly denying the statement, and characterising it as an infamous libel. He also requested the German Foreign Minister to order that his contradiction of the statement be published in the official organs. To this request Count Herbert Bismarck declined to accede, whereupon Sir R. Morier published the correspondence. The Cologne Gazette has published another article, wherein it declares that its former statement is correct, and that the information was given by the late Marshal Bazaiue to the German Military Attache at Madrid. Lieutenant Wissman has been invested with the powers of an Imperial Commissary to suppress the rising in, Zanzibar. Paeis, January 5. The election for the Department of the Seine, which takes place on the27th inst, is causing the greatest excitement in Paris. The and Loyalists support the nomination* of General Boulanger. Belgrade, January 5: The Servian Ministry have resigned* Beelin, January 5. Professor Geffkeo, who was with the publication of the late Emperor’s diary, has been released fron^

custody, and the proceedings against him are abandoned. Paeis, January 7. .The [Republican Congress have selected M/ Jacques, a distiller, as a candidate to oppose General Boulanger in the election for the Department or the Seine. . General Boulanger has promised his support to the Panama Canal Company, and is largely purchasing bonds. Belgrade, January 7. M. Ristics has submitted to King Milan the names of a [Liberal Russophile Ministry. Berlin, January 7. The Berlin Post hints that Marshal [Bazaine’s denial published by Sir R Morier is a forgery. Paeis, January 7. M. Jacques, who has been chosen to oppose Boulanger, is President of the General Council of the Department of the Seine. It is stated that the labourers engaged on the Panama Canal are dissatisfied, a feeling having arisen that there are no funds to carry on with It is feared that a total suspension ol the work is imminent. There is considerable excitement m this city, owing to the Eiffel Tower, which is being erected in the Champs de Mars in connection with the Exbi bition of 1889, visibly declining, consequent on the subsidence of the foundation. [Naples, . January 7. _ Mr Gladstone has gone on a visit to Pompeii. SPECIAL. {SKR PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Belgeade, January 1. Four Radical deputies have been arrested on a charge of conspiracy against King Milan. Baku, January 4. A train on the Tiflis railway, south of the Caucasus, has been snowed up. Fourteen passengers are reported to •be dead and twenty dying. Two hundred people in all are in imminent danger of being frozen to death unless rescued immediately. Berlin, January 4. Dr Peters replaces Lieutenant 'Wiesmann in command of the German expedition to search for Stanley and Emin Pasha. Rome, January 4. The Pope has approved the ceremonies to be observed in connection with the canonisation of the Venerable Chanel. They will take place

at Futuna, in the Friendly Islands, where the reverend gentleman was murdered iu 1841.

Paeis, January 4. M. Vaissier, of Nice, has invented a gun which can fire 3000 shots in ten minutes. Madeid, January 4. By a colliery explosion at Oviedo, in the province of the same name, a large number of lives were lost. Thirty bodies have been recovered already. Berlin, January 6, Sir R. Morier has publiahed Marshal Bazaine’s denial of the accusation that in July, 1870, Sir R. Morier betrayed to him the proposed movements of the German army on the Moselle. The &erman Liberal press condemns the attempt of Bismarck to blacken the character of friends of the late Emperor Frederick, and exults over the release of Professor Geffken. St. Petersburg, January 6. The Journal de St. Petersburg, in an article on the Morier correspon deuce, exculpates the British Ambassador from the charge of treachery. Paeis, January 7. Baron de Lesseps has been offered the chairmanship of the new Panama Caual Company, which is to be formed, with a capital of twenty million pounds. President Carnot has refused to subscribe to the new company. Berlin, January 7. Professor Geffken was released ou the ground that be was unaware that the publication of the Emperor’s diary was a criminal offence. He received a great ovation on his return to Hamburg. The press applaud the courage of the Supreme Court in taking the course adopted. Lieutenant Wissman 7 who has been promoted to a captaincy, proceeds to Zanzibar in February to enrol troops for service in Africa. Belgeade, January 7. The King of Servia is to visit the Riviera. A Regency is being appointed. THE EAST. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Thursday Island, January 8. All hopes of the steamer Vaitarna, which left Cuteh for Bombay with 900 native passengers on board, have been given up, and she is supposed to have foundered with all hands in a cyclone. Some hard fighting has taken place

in Formosa between the regulars and 3000 rebels. The latter were repu’sed with heavy losses on both sides,

A band of pirates at Haiphong has been dispersed, and 14 killed. News from China states that riots have taken place at Canton, through the merchants importing machinery for the manufacture of silk. : Six persons were killed and many injured. SPECIAL. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Singapore, January 3. The British-Borneo Company has been forced to take up arms against some of the Natives on their territory, and an encounter has taken place, but no details are to hasd. Calcutta, January 7. Aspinwail’s oil yards at Cochin, a seaport of India, have been burned. The damage is estimated at L 200,000. AFRICAN. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Suakim, January 2. Osman Digna has been reinforced from Tokar, and now has a thousand men near Handoub, with five guns. Suakim, January 3. It is reported that Osman Digna wishes to surrender, and that he bad actually sent his harem toward Suakim when the Dervishes interfered and forcibly prevented him carrying out his intention. Zanzibar, January 3. The Arabs made a determined attack on Dar-esSalam, one of the starting places of caravans for the interior and the Great Lakes. After heavy fighting, which lasted some hours, they were repulsed. Many of the crew of the German squadron now operating on this coast are suffering severely from fever. Suakim, January 4. An Egyptian soldier, who left Khartoum on November 1, states that Emin Bey was the “ White Pasha ” who defeated 6000 Dervishes on the Bahr-el-Ghuzel.

Suakim, January 4. The enemy are harassing the pickets stationed outside the town.

Suakim, January 7, A deserter, who has just arrived from Khartoum, reports that Emin Bey is a prisoner there, and is being well treated. Suakim, January 7. A deserter states that Osman Digna is at Handoub with 1200 ineD, and has refused to yield to advice to retire to Tokar. The deserter further states that Osman recommenced offensive operations directly the British troops left. SPECIAL. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Suakim, January I. The rebels are reported to be abducting women. Zanzibar, January 3. Heavy fighting between the Germans and the Arabs of the mainland is reported. Suakim, January 7. Osman Digna’s cavalry has suffered a repulse. Caibo,. January 7. _ The Khedive intends to entertain General Grenfell at a banquet, in honour of his victory at Suakim. AMERICAN. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) San Feancisgo, January 2. The total eclipse of the sun yesterday was well observed at Californian stations. The intramercurial planet was not seen. Washington, January 3. A member named Springer has introduced a Bill into Congress extending the Presidential term of office from four to six years, but making the man once chosen President ineligible for re-election. Washington, January 5. A Bill incorporating the Nicaragua Caual Company has passed the Congress. The Foreign Relations Committee of Congress have reported favourably on Senator Edmonds’ resolution against any European Government being allowed to cut the Panama Canal. ' Ottawa, January 5.

The Canadian Minister of Finance, during the discussion on the proposed line of steamers from Vancouver to Hong Kong and Australia, stated, that the Government of the Dominion were pledged to handsomely subsidise the line. New Voek, January 5.

Further revelations in connection with Professor Friend’s Electric Sugar

j Company prove that the whole thing is mythical. The discovery was made immediately the secret rooms in the factory in this city were entered after the disappearance of Mrs Friend, who promoted the invention since the death of her husband. The exposure created a complete surprise, and shares have receded to 30s. New Toek, January 4. The Chamber of Commerce has invited Mr Henniker-Heaton, M.P. for Canterbury in the House of Commons, to deliver an address on postage systems in this city. Washington, January 6. The American Senate is debating resolutions warning the Government of France not to meddle with the Panama Canal. Toronto, January 6. Sir J. Macdonald, Premier of the Dominion of Canada, speaking in this city, ridiculed the idea of annexation to the United States. Mr Westgarth, the well-known financial authority, recommends the issue of the projected Victorian four million loan at 3 per cent. He states 1 that it will bring L9O, which is preferable to per cent, even if the latter brings LIOO. Washington, January 7.

A committee of the House of Representatives recommend that there should be increased stringency of the immigration regulations of the United States. New York, January 7. Arrived —Barque Albert Russell, from Auckland (September 23). San Jose, January 7. Severe shocks of earthquake have been experienced throughout Costa Rica, and many persons have been inj ured. SPECIAL. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Washington, January 1. The authorities of St Louis, Missouri, have prohibited the boxing exhibition by Kilrain and Mitchell. A man named Schloops, of Philadelphia, has confessed that, enraged at the gluttony of a boarder, he murdered him. The "dissected limbs have been found. New York, January 4. Kilrain, the pugilist, has accepted a challenge from J. L. Sullivan to fight in a 24ft ring for 10,000dols a-side and the championship of the world. Washington, January 3. Seven negro servants of Colonel Paxton, of Areola, Illinois, plotted together to rob the house and then burn it down. The better to carry out their purpose they drugged the members of the household by tampering with their coffee, but the soporific proved ineffective, and in some instances the victims awoke. The result was that the criminals were all captured, and it is fully expected they will be lynched. The National Board of Trade has petitioned Congress to suspend the operations of the mint at present to relieve the glut of coin in the country. AUSTRALIAN (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Sydney, January 3. Sailed—Wakatipu. Melbourne, January 3. Potatoes are commanding famine prices in Ballarat. L 22 per ton is asked. Three Chinese were drowned by floods at Campbell Creek. A large portion of Castlemaine has been wrecked. The damage is roughly estimated at L200 ; 000. Large numbers of live-stock have perished. Sydney, January £. The three-masted schooner Buster encountered a severe gale off Gabo Island, and was dismasted. As the vessel was laden with dynamite and the stump of the mast was grinding amongst the detonators, the crew took the boats and abandoned her, fearing that an explosion would occur. The Buster was insured in the South British office, and a vessel has been sent to search for her. Arrived —Taupo. Sailed—Mararoa, for Auckland. Good rams have fallen in the western districts. Strenuous efforts have been made to obtain a reprieve for Louisa Collins, who was convicted after two trials of poisoning her husband, but his Excellency the Governor has declined to accede to the request. Perth, January 4. Tho Imperial Government have ordered the Executive Council to determine the merits of the petition of the West Australian newspaper, impugning Chief Justice Onslow s impartiality. It is considered here that the Home Government have

practically ordered Judge Onslow to be tried by his enemies. Brisbane, January 4. The drought in being severely felt in New Guinea, and there is a scarcity of food. It is anticipated that a famine will result during the year. A Cingalese named Peter has been murdered at Charters Towers, and two persons supposed to be connected with it have been arrested. Adelaide, January 4. There is an alarming spread of eodlin moth among the orchards. Melbourne, January 4. During the floods in Castlemaine district many houses were washed away, and the occupants, who had a narrow escape of their lives, had to take refuge in trees. The Fitzgerald Brewery, on Winter’s Flat, was flooded, and it is estimated that the damage will amount to LIO,OOO. The Campaspe River rose 23ft, but is now falling. Sydney, January 5. Arrived —Tekapo, from Oamaru. Melbourne, January 5. Arrived —Te Anau, from the Bluff; Notero, barque, from Auckland; schooner Caberfeidh, barque Genevieve M. Tucker, and brigantine Peerless, from Kaipara. At a meeting of the Royal Standard Investment Company, some extraordinary allegations were made against the Directore of the Company. Mr W. J. M. Larnacb, of Dunedin, who occupied a seat on the Board, in a lengthy statement asserted that the Directors had expended the sum of L 320,000 in the purchase of properties from certain firms, and from themselves, at prices greatly in excess of value. A committee of inquiry was appointed. Sydney, January 6. A hawker named Oluud has been discovered murdered near Young, and it is believed that the motive for the crime was robbery. A company is being formed to seeure representation of wines, timber, and minerals at the Paris Exhibition. Brisbane, January 5. Sailed—Barqqe Countess Rothis, for Auckland. Perth, January 6. Lord Knutsford has cabled that he is willing to agree to a compromise in connection with granting Responsible Government to Western Australia. He suggests that the Upper House should be nominated by his Excellency the Governor until the population has reached 60,000, or after the expiration of six years, if the number is not then reached, an elective chamber is to be formed. Sydney, January 7. The three-masted schooner Heath has been wrecked near Broken Bay, north of Sydney. Two seaman named Ohlsen and Svensen were drowned, and others suffered severely from exposure. - The schooner Buster, laden with dynamite, which was dismasted and abandoned in a gale off Gabo Island, has been recovered by the steamer sent in search of her, and brought Bafely into port. Melbourne, January 7. The official returns show that the attendance at the Exhibition up to date numbers 1,439,000. Melbourne, January 8. The conference of professors of the Australian and New Zealand Universities has concluded its business. The proceedings were merely pf a preliminary nature, and committees were appointed to report on matters of importance relating to university education. The next meeting will take place at the same tijne and place as the meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Science. The [intercolonial Medical Congress has opened its sessiop here. President Fitzgerald delivered the annpal address, and an able paper on medical progress was read by Professor Stuart, of Sydney. The members of Parliament gave a banquet last night to Sir H. Parkes, who is at present on a visit to Melbourne. In his speech Sir Henry said he cherished a desire for the creation of a United Australia, and was prepared to join in the promotion of federation on the Canadian model. Sydney, January 8. Heavy rains at Albury have done much damage to the standing crops and wheat stacks. The estimated ipsa is one-third of the actual yield. Louisa Collins, sentenced to death on a charge of poisoning her husband, was executed t6-day. A serious bungle