GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4740, 23 August 1902, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES.

RESTORATION OP THE CAMPANILE. (Received August 23, 0.23 a.m.) LONDON, August 22. At the suggestion of Sir Edward Poynter, president of the Royal Academy, the academicians are enthusiastically subscribing to re-build the Campanile of St. Mark’s, Venice. The public have been invited to co-operate. MADAGASCAR. (Received August 23. 0.43 a.m.) LONDON, August .22. The French are converting Diego Saurez Bay, Madagascar, into a first-class naval and military stronghold. RAIN IN INDIA. LONDON, August 22. Good rains have fallen in Western India, which have saved the crops and diverted an immediate famine. There has been some rain also in the central provinces and at Berar.

THH SOLOMONS. NORFOLK ISLAND. August 22. Reports from the Solomon Islands state that tho Methodist Mission has been successfully started, and is much appreciated. AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIPS. (Received August 23, 0.43 a.m.) OTTAWA, August 22. Professor Parkin, Principal of the Toronto College—whom tho trustees under the will of the late Mr Cecil Rhodes instructed to prepare a scheme for awarding the colonial and American Rhodes scholarships—is trying to interest Mr Pierpont Morgan in a scheme whereby American capitalists would create scholarships for English youths at American colleges, on the lines of the Rhodes bequest. The suggestion is likely to hear fruit. CANCER RESEARCH. LONDON, August 21. The Duke of Bedford has contributed .£3OOO to the Cancer Research Fund. DAMAGE TO CROPS. LONDON, August 21. The rain is seriously damaging the standing corn in Britain, and the hop and fruit crops in Kent are much injured. STEAMERS FOR THE PACIFIC. LONDON, August 21. Possibly Canada, the Australian Commonwealth and New Zealand will cooperate in a fast steam Pacific line, if Britain joins.

A SENSATIONAL FIRE. LONDON, August 21. A fire in a publichonse in Piccadilly at daybreak isolated nine barmaids and servants in the upper floor. Intense excitement prevailed until a fire-escape arrived, and all were rescued in their nightdresses. EDUCATION TROUBLES IN FRANCE. PARIS, August 21. The Church party in Brittany proposes to boycott lay schools. The tradesmen threaten not to supply teachers with food. MINOR ITEMS. MELBOURNE. August 22. The Bishopric of Melbourne has been offered to the Bight Rev C. G. Lang, Suffragan Bishop of Stepney. SYDNEY, August 22.

A preliminary meeting of employers Pas been held with a view to forming a federation to fight against democratic leg’slation on similar lines to the New Zealand association. PERTH. August 22.

■Thirty prisoners in Fremantle prison rushed into the gaol kitchen, seized the gruel and threw it over the floor, walls, nnd warders. Assistance arrived, and the rioters were overpowered Eight were sentenced to a month’s imprisonment in irons.