CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9040, 16 February 1891, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH &KD FOREIGN.

[6S SLEOTSIO TBLBGUAPH.—OOPYBIQHT. (Pei! Press Association.)

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. London, February 13,

(Heceived February 14, at 11.15 a.m.)

Baron Oscar Dickson, an influential Gothenburg merchant, expresses surprise that Australia has not provided £5000 in aid of the Antarctic expedition, and states that he himself will be responsible for another £10,000. Baron Nordenskjold has definitely agreed to take command of tho expedition. CARGO ON FIRE. News has been received that the ship West Lothian, which left Sydney for London on December 17, put into Pernambuco with her cargo on fire. February M. (Ksooivod February 15, at C p m.) The cargo of the ship West Lothian, from Sydney to London, which put into Pernambuco, ia only slightly damaged by fire, but portion of it will have to be discharged in order to execute repairs to the vessel. THE WHITECHA.PEL ATROCITIES. A man, who is believed to be " Jack the Ripper," lias been arrested on a charge of having committed the murder of a woman in the Whitechapcl district yesterday. The accused was seen in company with the murdered womat), and there is a quantity of blood on his clothes. THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON. It is reported that on the expiry of Lord Charles ScoU's command as Admiral'of the Australian station he wiil be succeeded by Admiral Stevenson in H.M.S. Blake, of 22 guns, with Prince George of Wales as commander. NEW ZEALAND CONVERSION SCHEME. Tho New Zealand Government have announced the conversion of the remaining stocks on which a high rate of interest is being paid into 3& per cents, to be carried on pan passu with"the existing loans. The conversions are:—£4ol,ooo 6 per cents., re-! deemable in 1S91; ' £G4,500 5 par cents., redeemable in 1893; and £313,800 of the old provincial loans, redeemable between 1893 and 18QG. r THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LOAN. The total amount or applications for the South Australian Loan was £'155,400, and the balance has been withdrawn. MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL. February 12. (Hecelved February 14, at 10.15 a m.) The Bank of England returns, published to-day, show the total reserves in notes and bullion to be £1G,0G2,000, being a decrease of £1,350,000 as compaied with the previous week. The proportion of reaarve to liabilities is 4116 per cent,

Consols are at 97. Three months' bills aro discounted at 2j| per cent. New Zealand 4 per cent, inscribed stock, 107 ; 3J per cent, ditto, !)7£. New Zealand long-berried wheat is firm at 38s 3d.

Canterbury mutton, 4 13-lGd per lb; Wellington, 3 7-8 d; Canterbury lamb, Od. Auckland hemp of fair average, £28 IBs per ton; Wellington .good average, £25 103. The South Australian wheat market is active at 395. The Victorian is steady at 38s (id.

Chili copper, £5 to £15 (sio) per ton,

Tin: Straits, £90 10s. No. 1 best Scotch pig iron (f.o.b. in Clyde), 4Gs 9d. The sugar market is quiet. German beet, 13s 8d; Java, 15s. February 14. (Received February 15, at 6 p.m.) A portion of the shipment of butter, ex g.s. Ruapehu, from Now Zealand, has been sold at 96s to 188s (sio) per cwfc. The wool market ia buoyant. Orossbreds are scarce, and the price remains very firm, while heavier merinos are recovering. At the sale of sheepskins there was a good demand, and at advance on the last series. CANADIAN POLITICS. Ottawa, February 13. (Secolvwl February 14, at 11.15 a.m.) The Tories have virtually abandoned their reciprocity proposals, and now rely on a Protection tariff and loyalty to England. RETRENCHMENT IN ITALY. Rome, February 13. (Received February 14, at 11.15 a.m.) Signor Rudini, the new Premier, intends to effect economy in the public service to the amount o£ 40,000,000 lire (about Ll,G00,000). A GRAVE CHARGE. Washington, February 13. (Received February 14, at 11.15 a.m.) President Harrison has received a deputation from Indian tribes who were concerned in the recent rising of Indians. They declared to President Harrison that women and children were shot down by the troops after the flag of truce had been hoisted, and children were butchered after assurances were given by officers commanding troops that their lives would be spared. THE COPYRIGHT BILL. February 14. (Beoelved February 15, at, 6 p.m.) The Senate has laid aside the Copyright Bill. THE RISING IN CHILI. Valpaeaiso, February 14. (Received February 15, at 6 p.m.) It is reported that the towns of Pisagua and Iquique have been bombarded by the insurgents, and that they are now in flames. The blockade at Valparaiso has been raised. February 15. (Eeoelvod February 18, at 1J.30 a.m.) In an engagement between the Government troops and the insurgents at Tarapaka, the former were defeated. THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES. St. John's, February 14. (Eeeeived February 15, at 8 p.m.) In the House of Assembly a motion was carried, protesting against Great Britain hesitating to ratify the reciprocity treaty entered into between Newfoundland and the United States. ACCIDENT TO THE MONOWAI. . San Feancisoo, February 15. (Received February 16, at 12.30 p.m.) R.M.S. Monowai, which left for Auckland on the 7th inst., with the English mails, has returned, having broken her propeller.

IMTBRCOLOIfIAL

[By Blbothio Telegraph.—Copstright.] (Peb Pbess Association.) AM INFECTED PORT. Melbouene. February 14. (Received February 14, at 11.15 a.m.) Owing to the prevalence of smallpox at Colombo, it has been declared an infected port. PROPOSED NAVAL DEMONSTRATION. ebruary 15. (Heoaivod February 16, at 13 20 a.m.) Lord Charles Scott is arranging for a great naval demonstration on the arrival of the auxiliary fleet in Australian waters. The new cruisers and torpedo boats will be met at Aium.y by «io other, vessels beloneiner to the squadron, and will be escorted to harbour m the principal capital cities, A SCHOONEE CAPSIZED. Sydney/, February 15. (Eeocived February 16, at 12.30 a.m.) The schooner Helena Davies capsized while crossing Bellinger bar, about 300 miles north of here, and Captain Hackman, a passenger named Somle, and ono of the crew were drowned