LATE CABLE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8168, 20 August 1887, Page 4

LATE CABLE.

By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright, (special* to united PRESS association.) (Received August 20, 4.50 p.m.) London, August IS. The P. and O. Company’s new steamer Britannia has been launched at Greenock, and sails for Australia on November 4th. The transit rates have been arranged, subject to ratification by the Legislatures of the countries concerned. The redaction amounts to +d on each letter, and the reduction in other classes of mails is fractional. Prance receives 6 francs and Italy 4 francs 80 centimes per kilo for carriage. £20,009 will be saved annually by these reductions. The British, Government is willing to agree to a threepenny direct rate. Hungary favors having a distinct court at the Melbourne Exhibition. A fatal bathing accident is reported from Scarborough. Mr Guy Broome, son of Sir Napier Broome, Governor of Western Australia, accompanied by the Rev Arthur Newcombe, were bathing, when both gentlemen got into danger owing to the roughness of the sea. Mr Broome succeeded in getting ashore safely, but Mr Newcombe was drowned. The P. and O. Company will place their large new steamers at the disposal of the Government in war time for an annual retainer of £3OOO each. They will also supply seven other vessels without a retainer. (Received August 19, 9.46 p.m.) London, August IS. A despatch received by the French. Foreign Office from Zanzibar states that Stanley has been deserted by his escort of Natives and murdered. It is thought, however, that the report is merely an echo of the forged rumor of his death circulated a short time ago-