LATEST CABLES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 20

LATEST CABLES.

London, May 18. The Penzance fishermen, objecting to Sunday work, threw overboard a quantity of fish of the East County boats. The number of London builders and joiners on strike is 25,000. The Prince of Wales lias formally presented Lady Halle, tho famous violinist, widow of Sir Charles Halle, with an estate in Italy subscribed by her admirers. Protracted drought is retarding the English crops. The Durham miners have refused to reappoint tho Board of Conciliation. London, Alay 10. In order to prorogue Parliament by tho middle of August, the Government lias decided to limit the discussion in committee on the Voluntary Schools Bill. There are already 1500 amendments. Brussels, Alay 18. The Belgian Chamber has passed a largo vote to assist tlio extension of tlio Congo railway to Leojioluvillo. Paris, Alay 18. Tlio Duke of Orleans has stated his willingness to submit his claims to the French crown to a plebiscite. Ho favours a policy of advouturo. Several of liis leading followers have expressed dissent from such a policy, considering that it savours too much of Boulangism. Berlin, Alay 18. Herr Katze, who fatally wounded Baron Schrader in tho duel arising out of certain scandals, lias been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in a fortross. Sydney, Alay 19. Tho Crown doos not intend to take further action in tho Aloaghor-Doan case. Tho Full Court lias called upon Meagher to show cause on Friday why lie should not ho struck of! tho rolls.

Airs Dean is suing for a divorce from her husband, Goorgo Dean, now sorving a sentence for perjury. It is understood that tho additional vote of .£60,000 passod by tho House of Commons for tlio Australian Squadron is intended to bo utilised in manning and making ready for action tlio gunboats Boomerang and Alildura, which aro at present in reserve. A n important discovery of diainondiferous country is reported near Tamworth. A large area lias been pegged out. Stones to the extent, of 300 carats wore picked up on the surface. A few were of good colour, hut the majority were of poor quality. It is expected that they will bo found to improve as the workings go deeper. Good sapphires were also found in tlio same locality. Air Justice Alurray has been appointed to conduct the investigation into the charges preferred by Mr Varney Parkos against tho Public \Yni ks Committee of the Legislative Assembly. The Intercolonial Conference of Oddfellows, at which New Zealand is represent,el, lets opened. Tim aggregate statistics of the Order in Australia snows that a numerical rotro-gn.-ssioii of 1230 lias occurred since last report, but New Zealand lias made substantial progress. Alklbouiine, Alay 19. The City of Melbourne Bank enquiry has concluded. Adelaide, Alay 19. The Alinistor of Agriculture has signed a contract with the P. and O. and Orient Companies, under which they have agreed to reduce the butter freights from jjd to fd per lb. Launceston, May 19. John Sykes, a well-known solicitor, has been arrested on a charge of causing a forged cheque for -£ 1200 to bo presented to tho Commercial Bank of Tasmania. Accused was admitted to hail, and on his

relcaso lie telegraphed to Or Cole, his brother-in-law, to come to him. On the latter’s arrival he found Sykes had cut his throat, but the wound is unlikely to prove fatal.