The N.Z. Mail PUBLISHED WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1904. EPITOME OF THE WEEKS NEWS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1664, 20 January 1904, Page 12

The N.Z. Mail PUBLISHED WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1904. EPITOME OF THE WEEKS NEWS

Several cases of smallpox are reported from Christchurch.

Lord Northoote, the new Governoiv Gemeral, has arrived in Australia. Russia’s attempt to raise a war loan in Paris was. a failure.

An - engagement, has occurred in the Soudan between a British force and five thousand Dervishes.

Japan has drafted a Note to Russia, asking for a definite reply to certain matters in dispute

The crops in .Victoria have been considerably damaged by rain.

Speaking at St. Petersburg me Czar said:—l desire and intend to do all in my power to maintain peace. The ratification of the Ckino-Japanese commercial treaty destroys Russia’s scheme ol trade monopoly in Manchuria. Two ladies and a young girl were drowned at Riverton on Saturday morning.

Lord Stanley, the British PostmasterGeneral, is opposed to Mr Chamberlain's fiscal policy.

There are indications of the differences between Russia and Japan being settled by peaceful procedure.

Japanese newspapers are unanimously of opinion that war with Russia is inevitable. ’ •’ '

Further cases of smallpox hay© been diSn covered at Christchurch. Stringent-pre-cautions acre being taken by the authorities. •

Mr Seddon delivered; an important political speech at Hokitika on Saturday evening. There are many rumours of probable * developments at the meeting of the Parliament of the Australian Commonwealth. Orders for ammunition and anus have been given by Sarvia, Rouihania and Bulgaria. Details have been received of the engegement on the- 11th inst. in Somaliland between British forces and followers'- of the Mullah. Lord Robert Cecil states that bis father ; (the late Lord Salisbury) was opposed to Mr Chamberlain’s fiscal policy as far as it was developed last summer. Cable messages from London give the substance of speeches delivered by Mr Balfour. Mr Chamberlain and Sir Henry Fowler. The Tariff Reform Commission has opened its proceedings in England. Witnesses froan all trades have been* invited. The Premier of Canada retimes to support Mr Seddon in making a protest against the use of Chinese labour in the Transvaal.