LATE CABLE NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 931, 3 January 1890, Page 16

LATE CABLE NEWS.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, December 30. The influenza is decreasing in' Russia and Devlin, bub is extending to Southern and Western Europe. Fifty thousand eases are reported from Nev! York. The bank rate of discount has been increased to 6 per cent. McAuliffe has challenged Slavin for a fight, but the latter declines any

engagement until Sullivan has replied to his challenge. The Melbourne correspondent of The Times deprecates further borrowing by Victoria, and suggests that no security is offered that the money will be expended on reproductive works. He instances Mr Dakin’s irrigation proposals. London, December 31. Lord Salisbury is seriously indisposed. H.M.S. Penguin is being equipped for survey in Northern Australian waters.

Shaw, Savill Company’s steamer lonic sailed agaiu on Friday. She left behind a quantity of cargo which had to be discharged in order to extinguish the fire. The fears of heavy withdrawals of gold for Paris and New York influenced the Directors of the Bank of England in raising the rate of discount. It is expected a high rate will continue for some months.

Glasgow pig iron is quoted at 63s per ton.

Slavin has received many presents from people who admire his skill and resent the treatment to which he was subjected by the roughs of Smith’s party. He complains of only two Australians being present at the fight. The Sportsman denies that Mr “ Abington ” presented Slavin with the stakes. London, January 1. Lord Salisbury is suffering from a severe attack of influenza. It ia reported that the Queen visits Ireland in the summer. The revenue indicates a surplus of L 5,000,000. An anonymous donor has given LIOO,OOO to a fund for a Convalescent Home in connection with the London hospitals. Teemer, Hanlan, and Gaudaur have ail laid claim to the sculling championship. Hanlan suggests that Teemer’s proposition for a sweepstake should be adopted for the purpose of deciding the claims of the various aspirants. Parts, .December 30. During a rehearsal of Joan of Arc,” Sarah Bernhardt mounted the faggots, which caught fire. She fainted, and was only rescued with great difficulty. Two of the scene shifters were badly burnt in extinguishing the flames, and one of them is dying. Lisbon, December 30. Dom Pedro, the deposed Emperor of Brazil, is much depressed at the death of the Empress, and his medical advisers express anxiety at his condition. The death of the Empress has cast a gloom over the city. There have been great rejoicings at Prince Carlos’ accession to the throne. Lisbon, December 31. Major Pinto has been virtually recalled from Africa. Berlin, December 31. Forty-eight Socialists at Elberfeld, in Rhenish Prussia, have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from a fortnight to eight months. Herr Harm, a member of the Reichstag, received six months. Forty-three others were acquitted, including Herr Bebel, leader of the Socialist party in the Reichstag. Berlin, January 1. An international congress of miners will be held here this year. Paris, December 31. The mortality from influenza is decreasing. St Petersburg, December 31. It is rumoured that an attempt has been made to poison the Czar. It is believed that he is suffering from congestion of the lungs. St. Petersburg, January 1. An extensive Nihilist plot has been discovered. Several conspirators were arrested in the passages of the palace, where the officers on guard killed one. The reported poisoning of the Czar turns out to be untrue. Brussels, January 1. Twenty thousand miners are on strike at Charleroi. A coal famine ia feared. Rio de Janeiro, December 30. It is officially denied that the property of the deposed Emperor has been confiscated. San Salvador, December 30. The Govern merit have despatched a force of 8000 troops to suppress General Riva’s rebellion at Ouscatian. Zanzibar, December 30. The Court is occupied hearing an action brought by H. M. Stanley against Tippoo Tib, in which he claims the sum of Li. 0,000 for breach of contract;.

Durban, December 30. Major Pinto asserts that he has established Portuguese authority over Assaland. Sydney, December 31. The wheat crop is expected to yield 18 bushels to the acre. Little business will be done till after New Year. Wheat, chick feed, 2s to 2s 3d ; local samples, milling, 3s 6d. Flour, stone made New Zealand, L 8 10s. Oats, feeding, 1b 9d ; milling, 2s 2d. Maize, 3s 2d to 3s 3d. Barley, Cape, 2s 6d, nominal. Bran, 6fd ; pollard, quiet, 7d ; oatmeal, Lll to Ll2. Potatoes, L2 15s to L 3 ; onions, L 4 to L 5. Butter, dairy made, 6d to 7d ; factory, 7d to 9J. Cheese, local made, 3d to 6d ; New Zealand made, 6d. Bacon, local cured, 7d to 8d ; New Zealand cured, 9|-d to lOd ; hams, Is. Sydney, January 1. The financial returns for the year show tin increase in revenue of L 127,000 over 1888. The principal increase is in railways—£ll7,ooo. The Customs returns for 1889 show an increase of L 36.000 over last year. Melbourne, December 31. No business will be transacted until after the holidays Wheat, new crop, 3 01; old, 3s Bd. Flour, stone tnad«-, 1.9. Dais, New Zealand stout, Obituary—Judge IC-rferd. Melbourne. January 1. The Argus, in a eulogistic article, praises New Zealand as a health resort. SPECIAL. London, December 31. Mr Parnell asserts that Houston instigated Captain O’Shea to bring an action for divorce in order to influence his libel action against The Times. He admits that he resided in the house of the respondent for six years. Captain O’Shea does not claim damages. Addresses congratulating Mr Gladstone ou his eightieth birthday have been showered on the aged statesman. He was much pleased with the address from the New South Wales Assembly. Mr Gladstone read the lessons in Hawarden Church on Sunday. O’Connor’s challenge to oarsmen remains open for three months. The members of the Pelican Club deny that they have proposed to arrange a match between Slavin and Jackson. Lord Salisbury allows Portugal a reasonable time for inquiry. He states that the rendezvous of the fleet at Gibraltar is not intended as a menace. London, January 1. The Channel Tuuuei Bill is being revived. The Government oppose the scheme. Lord W"olseley considers the bridge is preferable. The other gas employers and employes have decided to remain neutral in the quarrel betwen the Metropolitan Company and their men. The funeral of the late Bobert Browning was an imposing ceremony. Dean Bradly officiated, assisted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Hallam, the historian, and the Poet-Laureate were among the pallbearers. Mr Parnell, being desirous of accelerating the service of the writ and the trial of the divorce case brought by Captain O’Shea, resigns the leadership of the Irish party. Mr Justin Macarthy succeeds him, but it is expected the counsels of Mr Dillon will predominate. Betting against Narellan and Kirkham (White’s horses) for the Derby is 500 to 30 The Calliope remains at Aden. Slavin denies he has offered to make a deposit with Smith for a return match. A match has been arranged between Sullivan and Peter Jackson for £3OOO a-side. The return of Major Pinto from Zambesi improves the situation. It is expected his withdrawal will be permanent. > Calcutta, December 31. The National Indian Congress ended with cheers for the Queen. Lisbon, December 31. The remainb of the ex-Empress of Brazil will be buried in this city. The confiscation of Dom Pedro s property is denied. Major Pinto asserts that the attacks of the Makololo were instigated by an English Land Company. Only one flag was captured. He alleges ae lias cleared a route to Lake Nya9sa and abolished slavery in those regions by his action.

LiSfloN, January 1; Prince Carlosia willing that Amierica should arbitrate between ilnglantl and Portugal. St. Petersburg, January 1.

It is alleged that the Czar has been prostrated by a shock produced by the accidental extinction of the electric light in the paladG; Zanzibar, Janttary 1.

Conflicting rumours are current here about the conduct of Dr Peters on his fatal expedition. It is alleged that he displaced the British flags on the left bank of the Tana and threw thetli into the river.