NEWS BY CABLE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9278, 25 April 1891, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. A DEFECTIVE CRUISER. ACCIDENT TO THE S.S. ARAWA. TREMENDOUS EXPLOSIAN. CHARGE AGAINST CANADIAN POLITICIANS. BULGARIA THREATENS THE PORTE. BARNUM’S WILL. (per press association.) (Received April 24, 5.30p.m.( London, April 23. The Australian cruiser Mildura has developed leaky valves, which has occasioned the delay of her trial cruise. The engines of R. M.S. Arawa failed when between Tonerille and London on the homeward voyage, and a consignment of apples in the cool chamber were damaged. (Received April 24, 7.30 p.m.) Rome, April 23. Two hundred and fifty tons of gunpowder, stored in a magazine, exploded to-day, resulting in five persons being killed and 120 injured. Numerous houses in the vicinity of the magazine were wrecked. (special.) (Received April 24, 7.11) p m.) Ottawa, April 23. Half of the members who were returned to Parliament at the recent general election are charged with obtaining their seats bv means of corrupt practices. Sir John McDonald, the Premier, and the Hon C. H. Tapper, Minister of Fisheries, are amongst the number. (Received April 25,12.50 a.m.) Sofia, April 24. The Bulgarian Government has requested the Porto to recognise Prince Ferdinand, and threatens otherwise to declare her independence. New York, April 24. The will of the late Phineas T. Barnum has been sworn at under one million sterling. Sr. Petersburg, April 24. Grand Duke Nicholas, who in December last was pronounced incurably insane, is in a critical state of health. The Grand Duke is in his GOth year. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) THE PROJECTED ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. Sydney, April 24. It is understood that a large portion of the LSOOO required for Baron Nordonskiold’s expedition of discovery to the South Pole has been promised. NEW CALEDONIA. Sydney, April 24. M. Pardou, Governor of New Caledonia, is at present on a visit to Sydney. In the course of an interview he said that he had formally assured Sir Henry Parkes that as far as he could prevent it not a single convict would bo allowed to settle on Australian soil. In New Caledonia the sentiment against the present system was growing stronger every year, and its rapid development pointed to a belief that the Colony would shortly bo able to stand alone. He expressed the hope that cordial relations with Australia would be retained. SHIPPING AND COMMERCIAL. London, April 22. Consols, 96, ex div. New Zealand 4 per cent inscribed stock, 106 ; 31 do., 964. (Received April 24, 8.30 p.m.) London, April 23. At the wool sales, good greasy merinos realised from 5 to 74 per cent, and good scoured from 74 to 10 per cent above the rates obtained "at the February series. All poor merinos show a decline of 5 per cent as compared with February rates ; while crossbreds remain at par with the best February prices, except for coarser qualities, especially those fiom New Zealand, which sell poorly. Foreigners are purchasing freely, and have taken 55 per cent of the quantity sold. The greatest difficulty is experienced in providing cold storage for New Zealand frozen mutton, owing to the enormous stocks in hand.

(Received April 25, 12.50 n.m.) Sydney, April 24. Arrived—Fiona, s.s., from Auckland,