CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9338, 1 February 1892, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN,

[Br Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Special to Press Association.) MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL. London, January 28. (Received January 30, at 10.35 a.m.) The total amount of reserve in the Bank of England is L 14,608,000. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 40-32. Consols, 95}. Three months' bills, 1| per cent. New Zealand 4 per cent, inscribed stock. 102£; 3£do, 92J. ' New Zealand long-berried wheat, 44s 3d (market firmer). Wellington mutton, 3Jd. Beef—hindquarters ty&, forequarters 3£d. New Zealand hemp is in good demand, and there has been a further advance of 10s. Fair to medium qualities L 2. Adelaide wheat 44s 9d, Victorian 44s 6d (both firm). Sugar: German beet, 14s 7£d; Java do, 16s 3d (nominal). No. 1 best Scotch pig iron (f .o.b. in the Clyde), 44s (market flat). January 29. (Received January 31, at 6 p.m.) The bulk of the Arawa's factory-made butter realised 120s per cwt, and dairy-made 104s. The Continental wheat market is depressed and prices show a general decline of 10s. PRINCE GEORGE'S HEALTH. The state of Prince George's health occasions Borne uneasiness. ! THE NEW COMMANDANT. Captain Francis Fox, the newly-appointed commandant of the New Zealand forces, is suffering from influenza. It was originally his intention to sail for the colonies by the Arcadia on February 5, but his illness has compelled him to await the departure of the Ballarat.

THE GENERAL ELECTION. The Gladstonite party are arranging to refuse to vote the Government supplies beyond i a short period, with a view of compelling them to fix the general elections for midsummer. THE LABOUR COMMISSION. Before the Royal Commission of Labour Mr S: PlimsoU, president of the Seamen's Union, gave evidence of a sensational character regarding the deck loading of ocean-going vessels. He also declared that the food supplied to sailors on some ships was unfit for consumption and that in the case of "ocean tramps" not only was the food bad, but fraudulent insurances were very often effected on both ressel and cargo.

REDUCING THE HOURS OF WORK Tom M'Carthy, of the Dockers' Union also gave evidence of an important nature, in the course of which he assured the commission that if the introduction of the eight hours principle failed to absorb the unemployed the Labour party would use every endeavour to have the length of a day's work reduced to six, four or even two hours if necessary. ' HOME RULE. Mr Monton, secretary of the Home Rule Union, writing to the " Contemporary Review," declares that the colonies are unreservedly in favour of Home Rule being granted to Ireland. STRIKE OF ENGINEERS. Six thousand engineers on the Tyne and Wear have struck work in order to support the Yarrow engineers in their demands with regard to the payment for overtime. DEFENDING VICTORIA s,°^ itlonS contributes an article to the Pall Mall Gazette in which he defends the cultured classes of Victoria from the attacks of Mr Francis Adams, of Melbourne. A MARKET FOR PEACHES. Cape peaches are selling in London wholesale at os each. A FASTER. Succi, the Italian faster, has failed in his self-imposed task of fasting for 50 days He collapsed on the 44th day. ' THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC The influenza epidemic is abating on the Continent and in some parts of England. SIR H. PARKES AND THE LABOUR PARTY. Writing to the " Contemporary Review " Sir Henry Parkes says that the Labour party in the New South Wales Parliament is demoralised and shattered under the tutelage of the Protectionists, and the party, as it was understood at the time of the general elections, no longer exists m the House.

SENTENCED TO DEATH. Vienna, January 29. (Received January 31, at 6 p.m.) The Schneiders (man and wife) have been sentenced to death for the murder of a number of servant girls under revolting circumstances. JESUITS NOT ADMITTED. Berlin, January 29. (Received January 31, at 6 p.m.) Prussia has refused to readmit Jesuits into the country. EDUCATION IN PRUSSIA. Excited debates have' taken place in the Prussian Diet on the Education Bill, which, it passed, the Government propose to use as a weapon against the spread of Atheism. The National Liberal says the Radicals are opposed to the measure. Count Caprivi, the Imperial Chancellor, made a powertul speech m support of the bill. He was loudly hissed on resuming his seat, whereupon the Ministers withdrew from the Chamber and the sitting of the Diet was brought to an abrupt termination. THE HUNGARIAN ELECTION. Buda Pesth, January 29. (Received January 31, at 6 p.m.) The Hungarian general elections have scarcely altered the political situation. THE POPE'S HEALTH. Rome, January 29. (Received January 31, at 6 p.m.) A semi-official announcement states that the Pope is overworked, but that his health is fairly good. THE POSITION IN CHINA. Hongkong, January 29. (Received January 31, at 6 p.m.) A Chinese brigadier, while reviewing the troops at Ichang, kept a battery turned on the British gunboat Esk, and so menacing was his attitude that the commander of the vessel remonstrated with him through the British Consul.