ENGLISH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1201, 8 March 1895, Page 36

ENGLISH.

London, February 28. Lord Brassey, who was prostrated by influenza, is now recoveringi Mr Fowler, Mr Morley and Mr Balfour have recovered. . . A new Midland Iron Trade Association is being formed to regulate the prices of all classes of manufactured iron. It is understood the majority report of the Opium Commission is virtually neutral, and will not recommend any interference with the present system. London, March 1. The Welsh Church Disestablishment Bill has been read a first time in the House of Commons. Mr Bryce, speaking in defence or the . Bill, pointed to the examples of disestablished Protestant Episcopal churches ■in the colonies, whose spiritual life had not been affected. The Daily Chronicle says Sir Hercules Robinson’s appointment to succeed Sir Henry Loch is a concession to Mr Rhodes. The paper considers that Sir Hercules’ advanced age will prevent him really undertaking the fatigues of the position. The Times thinks the appointment is certain to be strongly opposed, both in England and at the Cape. It will be necessary for Sir Hercules Robinson to resign his directorship of the Standard Bank and of De Beer’s Mine, The Investors’ Review says that reports from Auckland complain bitterly of the Bank of New Zealand grasping the entire business of the Colony, and killing private enterprise. • Lord Ripon, Secretary of State for the Colonies, has withdrawn the Australian Customs Bill, owing to a technical error. _ It is expected it will be introduced in the House of Commons. Lord Ripon said he was privately informed that the Commons would object to the Bill being initiated in the Upper House, owing to its financial character. Personally he assured the House that the Bill did not touch the question of privilege, being a colonial measure. „ The Court has decided that a strong 2>rima facie case has been made out against the accused in the Liberator cases. About 100 Arabs have been arrested and brought to Cairo for pillaging the steamer Yarrowdale, which was stranded in the Red Sea. . The vessel is completely stripped oi all her cargo and fittings. Upwards of 1000 London policemen are confined to bed with influenza. The disease is less fatal but more widespread than previous epidemics. London, March 3.

A severe struggle ensued between the Moderates and the Progressives at the elections yesterday for the London County Council. The Moderates had a sweeping victory, and many of the divisions have gone over to them entirely. They secured 22 seats formerly held by their opponents, while the Progressionists only secured one Moderate seat. ■ The complete result will probably not be known until Monday, as in four divisions the counting has not been concluded. The Progressive Party favour municipal gas and water works, control of trams, liquor traffic and the theatres, and the equalising of the rates. The Moderates opposed collectivism. The Marquis of Queensberry has been arrested on a warrant on a charge of libelling Oscar Wilde. The accused, who was released on bail, declares that he has a complete answer to the charge. It is expected that Lord Ripon’s Australian Customs Bill, if reintroduced in Parliament, in the House of Commons, will not be opposed, though it is certain that amendments will be suggested. Mr Clements Robert Markham, C. 8., who served in the Arctic expedition in search of Sir John Franklin in 1850-1, will, in a paper to be read at the Imperial Institute on Monday, urge England and the colonies to unite in exploring the An-

tarctic. He considers it necessary that the colonies should first complete the survey with their own boats. Mr Markham expresses his belief in the existence of vast southern continents. He suggests that two vessels be employed under the auspices of the naval authorities. The steamer Norham Castle, on a voyage from Durban, sighted two boats full of castaways. Mr Whitehead, one of the officers of the steamer, swam through a heavy sea with a line around his waist, and a mate from the boats did the same, meeting him half-way. The number of men thus rescued was 18. London, March 3.

Further details to hand regarding the rescue by the steamer Norham Castle, on a voyage from Durban, ol two boats full ot castaways, show that the wrecked vessel was the ship Fascadale, from Java to Lisbon, with a cargo of sugar. Her captain was left at Java, sick, and the ship was commanded by the chief officer.

She went ashore under full sail near Durban, on a pitch dark night. A tremendous sea was running, and all the boats were smashed. The crew were clinging to the masts for nine hours before they were sighted by the Norham Castle. Mr Whitehead, one of the officers of the Norham Castle, who swam through a heavy sea with a line around his waist, had a fearful struggle before he succeeded in reaching the wreck. An apprentice also showed great pluck in carrying a second line. Mr Whitehead ventured his life a second tkne to rescue the third officer, who was washed overboard, and reached him just as he was sinking. Nine men were drowned. The Fascadale broke up completely, and everything was lost. Mr Whitehead has been presented with an address by the Mayor of Durban. Shares have been allotted in the Australia Goldmining Company, which has been formed with a capital of <£120;000 to acquire a lease at Coolgardie. They are quoted at £6 premium. The financial papers assert that this quotation is a barefaced attempt to rig the market, and that the allotment is dishonest. The whole affair is denounced as the outcome of a conspiracy to defraud the public. No blame, however, is cast on the directors in the colony. The Pall Mall Gazette states that several hundred pounds was collected on the Exchange with a view to instituting a criminal prosecution. It is feared that the exposure will have the effect of crippling all business in West Anaf.raliffn TYliTl AS.

London, March 4. The final result of the polling for the elections for the London County Council shows that the Moderate vote has increased by 5000, while the Progressives have lost 27,000. The Radical newspapers soundly rate the desertion of the Progressive Party by the working classes after all that has been done for them by that party. London, March 5. The Progressives and Moderates each' total 59 in the London County Council. Nine Progressive aldermen retire, and six remain, besides two Moderates. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr John Morley, Chief Secretary for Ireland, introduced the Irish Land Bill. The Bill is to a large extent based on the recommendations of last year’s commission. All improvements since 1850 are regarded as the tenant’s, unless otherwise provided, and vests absolutely in the tenant, on whose ownership over improvements no rent is chargeable. ! The measure fixes the duration of judicial rents at ten years, and repeals the landright of pre-emption where the tenant has the sole right of holding after the lapse of two years. Only two years’ arrears of rent is recoverable under the Bill. It includes the voluntary principle between the landlord and the evicted tenant, and enables evicted tenants to purchase the’ holdings by means of Government loans. The Bill has been read a first time. The McCarthyite section of the Irish Party favour the measure, but the Opposition have not disclosed the line of action they will take up. The Times has a hostile criticism of the Bill. There has been an enormous increase the price of eucalyptus, owing to the influenza.