ENGLISH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 36

ENGLISH.

London, April 29

The West Australian loan of threequarters of a million at 3 per cent., with a minimum of 90, for which tenders open on Monday next, is quoted at 2 j per cent. premium. Heavy tendering is expected. Mr J. 11. Smith, late chairman of the South Australian Railway Commissioners, is appealing to Mr Speight's friends to raise the amount of security necessary to enable him to appeal to the Privy Council against tiio judgment in his libel action against the Melbourne Ago. The amount of security fixed by the Victorian Court ia considered excessive.

The Royal Victoria Order is to he conferred chiefly for personal service to the Queen. To-day Prince Christian was knocked down by a city cab and badly shaken. Numerous applications have been receivedfor positions on the Adelaide Hospital staff.

The English, Scottish and Australian Bank Bill has passed its final stages in the House of Commons.

Tho Geographical Society founder's medal has been awarded to Sir William MacGregor for exploration work in New Guinea.

Tho Colonial Party passed a resolution recognising the great services of Sir Henry Parkes, and deploring his death as a loss to tho Empire. London, April 30. Tho Porto has agreed to pay 21,000 Turkish pounds, or ,£21,000 sterling, as an indemnity for the outrages committed at Jeddah, in Arabia, last May, when the British Vice-Consul was shot dead by Bedouins, and the British, Russian and French Consuls were wounded. Lieut. John Francis Campbell has boon appointed Master of the Western Australian mint.

London, May 1. The West Australian loan is now quoted at over 3 per cent, premium. London, May 3.

Tho election for the vacancy in the House of Commons for North Aberdeen, created by tho resignation of Mr Win. 11. Hunter, has resulted in tho returu'.of Mr Pirie, tho Liberal candidate, by a majority of 130 votes.

Tho Radical majority at the general election was 3548.

The balance-sheet of tho London Bank of Australia shows a profit of £50,895. The directors recommend tho carrying forward of ,£11,107, and the payment of a dividend of 5J per cent, on tho preference shares. The report regrets that the drought, the low lending rates, and tho high rale of interest on the deferred deposits, has interfered with the improvement that was expected in banking business. In the House of Commons the Bill introduced by Mr Henry Chaplin, President of tho Local Government Hoard, proposing to relieve farming lands in England by assessing thorn at half tho present ratable value, was on a division read a second time by a majority of 177 votes. Tho operations of tho Bill are limited to five years. Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, is endeavouring to persuade tho Imperal Government to abandon tho double incomo tax which tho colonists at Home have to pay, as lie contends that its imposition is creating irritation amongst colonists, and prevents investment of capital. Uo lias requested Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to use his influonco with the Treasury in tho matter, and is hopeful of success. It is now officially reported that Major Lothaire has been acquitted of tho charge of having murdered Mr Stokes, tho British trader, as stated by tho press some days a ß'°The woman Dyer, committed fur trial on the charges of infanticide, has confessed her guilt. Tho Bisliop of Peterborough will represent the Anglican Church at the Czar's coronation.