Cable News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 994, 20 March 1891, Page 28

Cable News.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, March lilt is reported that offers have been made to underwrite the Victorian loan at The lifeboat at Lydd, in the south of Kent, capsized during a storm, and seven of the crew were drowned. The Australian and New Zealana Mortgage Company have declared a dividend cf 9 per cent for the year. Mrs Jackson, whose abduction caused some stir this week, has been reconciled to her husband. England and France have arrived at an agreement respec ing the claims of the latter in Newfoundland. The terms of the settlement will be published shortly. At the Colonial Institute, after the reading of Major-General Edwards’ paper on Defence, Sir William F. D. Jervois claimed that the scheme was identical with his advice in 1880. Raids on Australia are improbable, especially on a large scale. The sole land defence required are forces at the capitals and Thursday Island, which should be under Federal control. He claimed credit for advising the doubling of the Australian naval forces in 1881. Sir C. Dilke, who also spoke on the subject, thought that light. cruisers would frequently attack Australia. The security of the coaling stations was not yet perfect, and it would be advisable to garrison them before war broke out. Lord Brassey said much remained to be done in the way of providing garrisons for coaling stations. The colonial troops would often be able to assist the Imperial fleet. After the Sydney convention was over it would be desirable to hold a conference in London on the subject of defence. Major-General Edwards, in replying, mentioned that each coa'ing station could be ready at six hours’ notice so far as its own resources were concerned. Ihe Duke of Cambridge advocates a policy in the Soudan. London, March 12. The Prince of Wales was in the company of Sir Charles Dilke and his wife today in Rotten Row. The Liberal leaders are incensed at Sir Charles Dilke’s candidature for the Forest Dean seat. The Hon Mr Stanhope, Secretary for War, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, said that when economy permitted it he always gave preference to the use of Home grown meat in the Army. By an explosion in Dixon’s ironworks, Glasgow, six men were killed. Lord Chief Justice Coleridge has informed Mr Justice Stephen of the accusations of eccentricity brought against him, suggesting that he should call in medical advice, and resign or take a prolonged rest. ' _• Mr Jesse Collins’ Small Holdings Bill has been read a second time. James Wilson, and Son, of Bradford, have failed, with liabilities of L130,G00, chiefly secured. German firms are enquiring if wolfram (tungstate of iron) is procurable in Australia, and offer to take a large quantity. Lord Salisbury has consented to arbitration in the Behring Sea fisheries dispute, reserving, however, the claim based on Russia’s unrecognised ukase of ninety years ago. Sir J. P.I Hennessy has given notice that it is desirable to appoint a Colonial Council of Advice, and Lord Knutsford has given a similar notice with respect to India. The Councils are to consist of the Agents-General, ex-Governors, and other men of experience. The Bank of Australasia has declared a dividend and bonus of 14 per cent., and carried forward L 15,000. If Victoria pledges itself not to borrow for three years, the proposed loan could now be raised at a fair price. The reduction in cable rates to the colonies will come into operation on Ist April. London, March 13. Yesterday the bank at Monte Carlo lost a million francs. A group of Englishmen playing at one table won 700,000 francs, and the bank was broken three times in succession.

The Merchandise Marks Bill provides that a Customs entry form must bear the trade description of goods entered thereon. London, March 15. At the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of England shareholders a profit of threequarters of a million was reported, and a dividend of of - percent declared. Mr Lidderdale, Governor of the Bank said the liabilities of Baring’s Bank amounted to L 21,000,000, and the assets to L 25,000,000. The outlook was hopeful. It is rumoured that the Portuguese authorities have seized the steamer Countess of Carnarvon, which was ascending the Limpopo River wiih a cargo of arms for the British South African Company. A great Imperial Federation meeting was held at Leeds to-day. Lord Brassey urged the appointment of a Royal Commission to enquire into the advisableness of a Customs’ Union with the colonies, and advised that an Imperial Conference on a combined system of defence shouid be held at an early date ; also, that an Advisory Council to the Colonial Office should be

appointed, or the colonies admitted. to a hare in the conduct of Imperial affairs. London, March 16. The Australian torpedo gunboat Karrakatba’s trial trip was unsuccessful, and she is nosv engaged repairing her machinery at Sheerness. Five thousand sheep have been frozen to death on the hills in Wales. The Right Hou J. Lowther, addressing a meeting at Cambridge, declared Freetrade a mistaken idea, >as it throttles industries, and he believed it would drive the Colonies to atoms.

Sir Joseph Whitwell Pease will interview Mr J. B. Patterson, formerly Commissioner of Trade and Customs in Mr D. Gillies’ Government in Victoria, with reference to prohibiting the importation of opium into the Australian Colonies. Sir F. N. Broome, formerly Governor of Western Australia, relieves Sir Walter J. S. Sendall as Governor of Barbadoes for six months. Judgment in the Ah Toy appeal will be given on Wednesday. It is believed the Court will rule that the Colony has power to exclude aliens. The British Government has guaranteed a railway loan of L 2,000,000 for carrying on certain railway works in Newfoundland. Vienna, March 12. It i 3 reported that Baron Hirsch has bought land in the Argentine Republic, on which ho intends to settle 400,000 expatriated Jews. Paris, March 11. The Chamber of Deputies has passed the Sugar Bounties Bill. Paris, March 16. The French Government are preparing a Bill giving depositors in the Banks greater guarantees of safety. Berlin, March 13. It is rumoured that the security of General Von Caprivi’s position as Chancellor has been shaken during the past few weeks, and an impression is gaining ground that he will be succeeded by General Waldersee, who is at present in command of the army corps. Buda Pesth, March 16. A swamp below this city containing 750,000 acres, which has been reclaimed at a cost of L 20,000,000, has been inundated and the crops destroyed. Washington, March 10. The United States frigate Thetis is making preparations for surveying _ the route of the proposed cable to Hawaii. The Californian Senate has passed a Bill excluding Chinese from the State. Washington, March 14. The lunatic asylum at Nashville, Tennessee, as been burned. Five hundred patients are at large, pursued by the county militia. A cigar factory and 35 other buildings were burned at Syracuse, New York. The damage is estimated at 2,000,000 dollars. Washington, March 16. Excitement among the Indians is increasing again. Washington, March 17. Most of the patients who escaped from the lunatic asylum at Nashville when the building caught fire have been recaptured. San Francisco, March 14. The Californian Legislature has granted certificates to Chinese now resident in the State, but will exclude all others. Washington, March 15. Secretary Blaine and Sir J. Pauncefote are arranging for a convention regarding the Behring Sea difficulty. Brussels, March 14. King Leopold will probably be the arbitrator in the Behring Sea dispute. Suakim, March 11. The remainder of the rebels have submitted.

Calcutta, March 16. Upwards of two hundred thousand Hindoos took part in a grand religious service in this city. Advantage was taken of the opportunity to protest against the alteration in the age of consent. The proceedings caused great excitement in the city. SPECIAL. London, March 12. The Government oppose the Channel Tunnel Bill. Atlantic steamers are being built to run between New York and Milford Haven in five days. London, March 14. Earl Granville has been seriously ill, but is now improving. Popular* feeling is turning in favour of Sir C. Dilke, and the attacks on him are being deprecated. Buffalo Bill intends to bring some of the captured Sioux Indians with him to England. The House of Commons will adjourn on 24th March. Berlin, March 11. Bismarck has consented to be nominated for the Reichstag. Belgrade, March 11. Ex-King Milan charges M. Garaschanine, a prominent politician, with complicity in the strangling of two women. The latter will probably be prosecuted. Belgrade, March 12. The action against M. Garaschenine, accused of complicity in the murder of two women, has been commenced. Queen Natalie has been dissuaded from publishing ex-King Milan’s diary. Rome, March 12. Prince Napoleon is slight improved. Berlin, March 12. The Reichstag has agreed to force German interests in Africa. The Reichstag has rejected the pro*

posal to admit women to the liberal professions. Vienna, March 14.

Baron Hirsch has given half a million to help Jewish emigrants to the United States. Paris, March 14. News from Tonquiu reports that the rebels have sacked Bobo, and massacred the French officials. Hong Hong, March 14. Throe hundred Chinese pirates have been beheaded at Kwang Tung. Ottawa, March 12. The Canadian Parliament opens on April 27. Ottawa, March 14. Canada is raising a loan of two millions. London, March 14 Sir C. Tupper is sanguine that reciprocity between the States and Canada will be agreed to.