Late Cable News.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 994, 20 March 1891, Page 19

Late Cable News.

Bv Eljiotkio Telegraph. — Cory right. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, March 17. Baron De Worms has issued a circular despatch regarding the attitude of Queensland in not ratifying the agreement as to sharing the expense of an auxiliary squadron. Mr justice Stephen, under medical advice, lias resumed his duties on tho Bench. New York, March 17. The influenza epidemic is spreading in Chicago, and fully 50,000 of the residents are affected by it. It is estimated that one-tenth of the Chicago police are also affected.

« London, March 17.

Sir J. W. Pease intends to use the information obtained from Mr Patterson regarding the opium traffic as arguments in the House of Commons against the Indian revenue derived from opium. Mr W. H. Smith has refused to allow women reporters in the House of Commons. The arbitrators in the Newfoundland dispute nieet at Brussels immediately. In a paper read before the Colonial Institute, Sir E. C. N. Rraddon, AgentGeneral for Tasmania, urged the crofters to develop the Tasmanian whaling and deep sea fisheries, and he also advocated the export of timber and apples from Tasmania to Great Britain. The Supreme Court has granted a writ of habeas corpus in the case of Mrs Jackson, who was forcibly abducted by her husband. Owing a formal difficulty in connection with the reduced cable tariff between Great Britain and the Colonies, its inauguration has been postponed until the Ist of May, and may possibly be later. Telephonic communication between London and Paris has been successfully carried out. It is reported that the libel actions brought by Sir W. Cumming will result in an apology being tendered without an attempt to prove the charges, leaving the jury to assess the damages. It is said that this course will be taken owing to pressure on the part of the Prince of Wales. Sir J. Fergusson, in reply to a question, said the Portuguese authorities accused the owners of the steamer Countess of Carnarvon of smuggling. Honolulu, March 18. Mr Parker has succeeded iii forming a Ministry. Paris, March 17The French Ambassador at Berlin has been recalled. This step is believed to havo some connection with the recent visit of the Dowager Empress Victoria to Paris. Berne, March 17.

The Swiss Federal Government has adopted the principle of a standing army, and will fortify St Gothard and other tunnels. Melbourne, March 18. Information has reached here that the s.s. Wathora put into Waterloo Bay, on Wilson’s Promontory, this afternoon, but tho reason for her doing so is not stated. The Waihora was on a voyage from the Bluff to Melbourne, having left the former port on Friday last. Sydney, March 18. In connection with the importation of Professor Koch’s tuberculine attention has been drawn to the fact that under the Animals Infection Act it i 3 unlawful to introduce into the Colony micro-organ-isms, or' any medium impregnated with them, without tlie consent of the Minister of Lands being obtained.