LATEST CABLES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 21

LATEST CABLES.

London, November 23.

At the meeting the London Bank of Australia, Sir J. F. Garrick said the reduction of profits was due to the fall in lending rates. He was confident the depositors were favourable to the new scheme.

The Union Steam Ship Co/s new steamer Hawea, a vessel of 2000 tons, was launched to-day at Dumbarton.

London, November 24.

Messrs G eorge Webster and Co., Australian merchants, of Cannon street, have failed, their liabilities amounting to .£150,000. A receiving order has been granted against George Webster and Co., on a creditor's petition. Wheat has been one shilling lower during the week.

Mr Pritchard Morgan and several mining experts are visiting China at the invitation of Li Hung- Chang, with a view of prospecting. The number of those employed on relief works throughout India is 120,000. Calcutta, November 23.

Rain has fallen in Rajputana, but the effects of the famine are most severely felt in Allahabad, Lucknow, Fyzabad and Agra. Altogether forty millions of people are affected, one-third of them acutely. Paris, November 23.

The Abbe Fremont, in an eloquent sermon at the Madeleine Church, appealed to France to take steps for the relief of the Armenians. Hundreds of his hearers were moved to tears.

In another sermon Cardinal Richard declared that the conscience of France was awakening, and the nation would see that the hateful system of persecution and massacre was brought to an end. Russia has rejected the French proposals to transform the Turkish Debt Commission into one of international control, similar to the Egyptian Caisse de la Dette. Constantinople, November 23.

Sir Philip Currie, British Ambassador, brought about the release of the Rev Mr McCallum by informing the Porte that England would not tolerate its arbitrary treatment of him. Fifty leading Armenians in Constantinople have been sentenced to be hanged. Bkussels, November 21.

The Belgian Government is convening an International Congress with the object of codifying the maritime law. Berlin, November 21.

Germany is delighted that M. Hanotaux, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, in his recent statement to the Chamber of Deputies as to the Russian treaty, did not refer to any alliance of France with Russia, but only to an entente cordiale. Capetown, November 24.

Lord Rossmead (better known as Sir Hercules Robinson) declares that it is perfectly safe to travel from Buluwayo to Fort Salisbury without escort. Mr Cecil Rhodes approves of the proposal to withdraw the troops, and states that the police is sufficient to preserve order.

Washington, November 21

The United States Government expresses itself satisfied of tho neutrality of Europe in tho event of war between America and Spain over Cuba.

Melbourne, November 21. Another daring attempt at burglary in this city has been frustrated. Two men sleeping in Chancellor's store, North Melbourne, were roused by a noise, when they saw three men carrying away a safe.

Several shots were exchanged without doing any harm, but the burglars decamped and left the safe behind. Tho Government has received a return from the leading wheat-growing districts estimating the yield at 0,958,000 bushels, an increase of 1,289,000 bushels as compared with last season. Owing to somewhat unsubstantial data, these figures must be taken with reserve.

The National Insurance Company of New Zealand had a line of £2OOO on Allen's stock, destroyed by the fire xn Flinders lane.

Sydney, November 21

The use of the Kontgen rays for the treatment of cancer has been pronounced by the Albury doctors to be a failure. Some improvement was at first noticeable in the patient, but it was not permanent. News comes from the New Hebrides that a volcano on the Inland of Ambrym is again active, and is covering the island with volcanic dust which is destroying the vegetation. Earthquake shocks are of frequent occurrence, and the natives fear another serious eruption.

According to the English traders French influence in the New Hebrides is gradually consolidating, and the French settlements are extending. Part of .£15,000 granted by the French Government to the French trading company is being spent in bringing out immigrants. (hi the strength of later reports tho Daily Telegraph has reduced its estimate of the colony's wheat yield to 7,000,000 bushels. In consequence of tho recent hot winds, a much larger area than was expected will be cut for hay. Brisbane, November 21.

I H.M.S. Pylades is to call at Long I Island to bring up a portion of the crew of the ketch Siskin, which was lately wrecked on the Chesterfield Reef. The captain and four of the crew reached tho Queensland coast in an open boat and reported the wreck. In connection with the Queensland National Bank Bill, it is stated that the Labour Party will endeavour to obtain a promise from the Government to make a further investigation into the past management of the bank. The Government Bacteriologist has made a satisfactory report on the experiments with chicken cholera as a means for the eradication of rabbits.