LATE CABLES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1511, 14 February 1901, Page 33

LATE CABLES

LONDON, February 0. The wool sales closed firm for all classes, average rates being, maintained. LONDON, February 10. The impox'ts into Great Britain in January increased by £1,431,600, and the exports increased by £1,169.850, compared with January of last year. Trade with Australia now figures separately under headings “Australia” and “New Zealand,” owing to the establishment of the Commonwealth. LONDON. February 11.

John Kensit, the well-known antiritualist, on behalf of the Protestant Truth Society, has appealed to tbe King to appoint a Bishop of London in succession to the late Dr Creighton who will reflect the Protestant char acre r of the Church, and has urged the King to use his mighty influence to direct "the bishops to faithfully fulfil their duties. “The Sportsman” states that the Duke of Devonshire has leased the King’s racehorses for the season. ROME, February 11. The tombs of Kings Victor Emanuel and Humbert, in the Pantheon, were robbed of imitations of the famous iron crown of Lombardy and other jewels. VIENNA, February 12. Tbe death is announced of ex-King Milan of Servia, who died of influenza in this city. Neither his son, King Alexander, nor ex-Queen Natalie was present. BRISBANE, February 11. The Hon John Murray is relinquishing the portfolio of Minister of Railways, and becomes Postmaster-General with a seat in the Legislative Council, in succession to the Hon J. G. Drake, who has joined the Federal Ministry. At a meeting of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce it was decided to urge the Government to send a representative to South Africa to inquire whether there are openings there for shipments of Queensland products. Mr Seddoit has cabled to the Premier of Queensland that “New Zealand has no intention of making any concessions to the Eastern Extension Cable Company. Our Agent-General has been requested to inform Canada.’’’ It is probable Queensland will follow New Zealand’s example. BRISBANE, February 12. The Government has decided to leave the question of the Eastern Extension Company’s agreement to the Pacific Cable Board. SYDNEY, February 11. A house was burned at Leichavdt and a fireman named Roberts was killed by the floor collapsing. Another fireman was injured. A constable named Morrqw shot himself dead while on duty. He bad been in bad health. SYDNEY, February 12. Mr T. A. Coghlan (Government Statistic, i an), Mr E. Fosbery (InspectorGeneral of Police) and Mr Hanson (Director of Charities) have been appointed an Old Age Pensions Board. MELBOURNE, February 11. Foundation Day was observed as a general holiday. The chief event was the Australian Natives 3 ' Association Demonstration Sports. The speakers at tb© luncheon included Mr Barton, Sir 'George Turner, the Hons It. Deakin and J. G. Drake. The-Wheel Race was won by Markham. No details are available. Mr W. 11. Williams (Ministerial*--sr.)-has been elected to represent -St. Hilda in the Legislative Assembly, in place of Sir George Turner, who resigned to take up a Federal portfolio.

" MELBOURNE, February 12

Speaking at a luncheon given in his honour, the lion E. Barton, referring to the New Hebrides, said tbe chief source of disputes was the question of land ownership, upon which the AngloFrench agreement was silent. The Federal Ministry desired, if it could be done without embarrassing tbe Empire, to secure the creation of an international tribunal to remove the sources cf dispute.

Sir George Turner, referring to oldage pensions, said about fifteen thousand pensions would bare to be provided for, and the cost amounted to £300,000 annually. Tbe State was unable .to spend such an amount, and next session a Bill would be introduced to make the scheme more limited and its administration stricter.