ENGLISH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 932, 10 January 1890, Page 25

ENGLISH.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (per press association.) London, January 1. Five tnousand five hundred quarters of wheat, December January shipment, have been sold at 365. The victims by the fire at Forest Gate Industrial School were boys. They were all suffocated while asleep. The number of those rescued was 80. Many of them were insensible when taken out of the burning building. Influenza has spread in England. It is of an unusual sort, but the doctors doubt whe'ber it is that form of the affliction known as Russian. London, January 2. The mortality in Vienna and Madrid has been doubled by the influenza It is reported that the Duke of Westminster is the donor of LIOO,OOO in aid of a Convalescent Home. Lord Salisbury is improving, the fever having abated. Sir M. Hicks-Beach, speaking at Learniugton, said the Zambesi dispute was merely a passing cloud, as Portugal was quite capable of satisfying all just demands. The European pres*, eenerally speaking, anticipate a peaceful year. The Rev Charles Clark is a passenger to Australia by the steamer Austral. A deputation from the Federation League has been appointed to wait on the Marquis of Salisbury, to urge him to convene a Conference to discuss the creation of an Imperial Cohncil (including colonial and Indian representatives) to decide a general scheme of defence. ffhe scheme for the investment of trust funds in colonial stocks is almost ready for submission to Mr Goscben. The statement that investors had claimed the right to seize the railways of any defaulting colony is denied. A compositor, who at a meeting in Hyde Park advocated the murder of the Chairman of the Metropolitan Gas .Company, has been committed for trial. London, January 3. Sadler, ex-champion sculler of England, is dead. The Times’ Constantinople correspondent telegraphs that Chakir Pasha, Governor of Crete, will succeed Muktar Pasha as Turkish High Coaimissioner in Egypt. Muktar Pasha proceeds to Kurdestan to institute reforms there favourable to the Armenians. The weeklv returns of the Bank of England, published to-day, show the total reserves in notes and bullion to be L 9,308,000, being an increase of L 432.000 as compared with the previous week. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 27|- per cent. Consols, 97^New Zealand 4 per cent inscribed stock, active at 107 - Australian wheat, ex warehouse, is quiet at 39s 6d ; New Zealand long berried wheat, ex store, also quiet at 37s 6d. Copper, LSO 5s per ton. Tin, L 97 10a per ton. Sugar—German beet, 11s 6d ; Java, 15s 3d. London, January 4. Westgarth’s Circular urges Victoria to defer borrowing even a third of the amount originally proposed. The influenza, which is attacking residents in England, is assuming the Russian type. Two hundred of the General Postoffice employes are down with the disease, and some of the cases are very bad. The influenza is becoming more prevalent, and some of the cases are of a mild Russian type. There is a great run on the hospitals, doctors and druggists. The postmen, policemen, the training schools and the barracks have all been attacked 4-1

influenza, which is now j several of the con”' 1 to Them--' try towns. mortality in Paris, the French provinces, Vienna and Madrid has been heavy. Out of 1200 women employed in a French tobacco factory only 50 have been able to continue work. Benzon, the Jubilee Plunger, who was recently ndiudieated a bankrupt, is absent at Monaco, and refuses to attend the bankruptcy proceedings. The authorities threaten to issue a warrant for his arrest. The iron market is excited. Marked bars have risen 10s per ton. Glasgow pig iron is quoted at 665,

Galvanised iron, Orb aud Gospel Oak brands, L2O per ton. H.M.B. Warspite, 10 guns, 8400 tons, replaces H.M.S. Swittsure on the Pacific Station. Slavin announces that he will make an early retirement from the ringLondon, January 5. The Empress Augusta, Dr Dollinger, of Bavaria, and Mr Henry Chaplin, Minister of Agriculture, have been attacked by influenza. London, January 5 Mr Gladstone declares that Italy’s connection with the Triple Alliance is a grave menace to her financial prospects. The Emperor of Germany has presented Aamiral Commerall with a sword of honour and an autograph letter as a memento of the great Spithead review, at which the Emperor was present. . , , Tallow—-Medium mutton, 2 5s 6d ; beef, 245. Owing to the decreased demand for gold, three months’ bills have been reduced to 4f per cent. The English and Continental wheat markets are firm ; the American is steady. New Zealand flour, ex store, 24s Od. . ' , London, January 6. It is reported that there are 50,000 casesof influenzain Birmingham. A few deaths are recorded in London from the epidemic, but in New Vork the death-rate is the highest known. The gas strikers are appealing to the Trades Unions for assistance. The pickets have succeeded in inducing the crews of two colliers to leave their vessel at Greenwich. It is announced that Signor Zerbini, the musician, has committed suieide. London, January 6. The Emperor of Germany has presented Sir Evelyn Wood with a sword as a souvenir of the review at Aidershot last year, which the Emperor witnessed. The Dublin Corporation have refused to invite Her Majesty the Queen to open the museum there, fearing political discord. The Pall Mall Gazette advises the seizure of the Delagoa Bay railway in South Eastern Africa, in which English and American capitalists are interested. Mr Hyndman, the well-known Socialist aud author of “ Historical Basis of Socialism in England,” accuses Mr Burns of treachery toward Socialism, and denounces the balancesheet of the dockers’ strike. ‘ Her Majesty the Queen is suffering from acute rheumatism, and it is feared she will be unable to endure the fatigue and exposure of opening Parliament in person..

The Duke and Duchess of Connaught will shortly pay a visit to America, China, and Japan [Eiiglish papers which arrived by the San Francisco mail on Monday contained the above information, and stated that the Duke of Connaught will arrive at Vancouver from Japan about the middle of May, and make a tour of the principal American cities, paying particular attention to the manufacturing and mineral sections, beside observing the American system of railroad management, He will spend, a month in Canada before embarking for Home.] SPECIAL. London, January 2. Obituary—The widow of Admiral Fitzroy. Mr Houston denies that ho instigated Captain O’Shea to institute a divorce suit in which Mr Parnell was to be implicated. The citation has not yet been served. The Limerick Municipal Council has passed a vote of confidence in Mr Parnell. The conversion of the Egyptian debt is being delayed in order to comply with the modifications demanded by the French Government. The divorce proceedings instituted by Captain O’Shea against Mr Parnell will be heard at Easter. The report that the latter to resign his seat , pended Commons in House o .o without foundation. London, January 4. It is rumoured that the Sugar Bounties Bill is to be revived. The inquest on the fatal fire at Forest Gate is proceeding. It appears that the dormitory of the school was locked from the outside, and the unhappy victims were unable either to obtain the key or force their way out.

The Trust Funds Committee have completed their revision of the report, and it is not likely they will assemble again. Lord Loftus, ex-Governor of New South Wales, has written his memoirs. The prospect of a future large issue is injurious to the expected Vievofiftp

loan. The Economist predicts it will have to be postponed, and denounces borrowing for political purposes. The Daily Illustrated Graphic, preparations for publishing which have been going on for some months, is now issued. Mr Gladstone declines to assail Russia on account of the Siberian atrocities until be is fully informed on the subject. 1 The statement that the British India Company’s steamers are to adopt the Vancouver route is not true. Mr Bradlaugh has sailed for Bombay. Pickets are inducing the firemen and sailors to desert vessels which bring cargoes of coal for the Metropolitan Gas Company. Steps will be taken to test the legality of their action. The strikers are willing to accept engagements for three months on condition that they are granted equality of voting with the Company’s employes. They profess readiness to assist in making the profit-sharing system a success, and will guarantee that there shall be no strikes for at least a year. The resolution of the Company to stand by the hands they have engaged ip. the place of strikers is, however, an obstacle in the way of settlement. The Strike Committee threaten to bring on a general gas and coal strike. The railway men demand that their hours shall be limited to ten, platelayers to nine, and signalmen to eight. They request an answer from the companies by the 15th January. The citation in the O’Shea divorce suit has been served on Mr Parnell. It is expected that his action against The Times will be heard in January, and the divorce casein June. Sir C. Russell appears for Mr Parnell, and Sir E. Clarke for Captain O’Shea. Mr Parnell intends to indict the Government for conspiracy with Pigott, at the opening of next session. London, January 6. The Rev Mr Spurgeon is better. Dr O’Callaghan denounces the new secret revolutionary society in Cork, which claims the right to punish erring members with death.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) have received the following cable message from their London office, dated 3rd January:—Tallow—There is a good demand. Good mutton is woithi L 27 10s per ton. and good beef is worth L 25 10s per ton. Frozen meat Mutton market is steady. Canterbury is worth 4|-d per lb, and Wellington is worth per lb. Beef —Market is dull. Forequarters are worth Sid per lb, and hindquarters are worth 3fd per lb.