NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 113, 2 August 1895, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

BRITISH ELECTIONS. London, July 29. Mr W. H. Long, President of the Board of Agriculture, states that, while the Government is unable ,to remove the agricultural depression, it is intended to lighten the burden of taxation by relieving real estate at the expense of personal property. The net Conservative and Unionist gain iu the election is 90 seats, equal to 180 votes ou a division. Deducting the Liberal majority of 28 in the last Parliament, the new Government have a majority of 152 on a division. Mr Chamberlain’s letter attributes the victory of the Conservatives entirely to the strong feeling against Home Rule, and the preference for social and domestic reforms as compared with revolutionary legislation. The Irish Catholic states that a highly - honored clerical dignitary writes, suggesting that a National Convention should arrange to withdraw the Irish members from the Imperial Parliament, where their presence would be little better than a mere mockery owing to the Unionist majority. FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. Tokio, July 30. A train conveying 400 soldiers, who were returning from the war, was derailed between Kobe and Hiroshima. One hundred and forty of those on board were killed. The railway line ran parallel to the sea, and the waves from the raging storm had swept the rail metals into the sea. AFRICAN DIFFICULTY. Rohe, July 29. The Italian press generally is convinced that war is imminent in Abyssinia. The Corriere, a newspaper published here, states that Russia and France are endeavoring entangle Italy and Great Britain in an African difficulty with a view to freeing their own hands in their action in the East. Baron Blanc, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, states that Menelek, the ruler of Abyssinia, after owing his throne to Italian influence, betrayed Italy for the purpose of gaining favor with Russia. London, July 29. Reports from St. Petersburg state that Russia will support the claim put forth by France for the evacuation of Egypt by the British.

THE RISE IN WOOL. Melbourne, July 81. The London correspondent of the Argus, writing under date 21st June, in regard to the coming wool sales says : —New Zealand is heavily represented, and so far as the prospects can be gauged the clip has arrived most opportunely. Growers will find a strong rising market for the coarser grades. It is evident that bright-haired wools have entered upon a new lease of life, and there seems every probability of the decline in values being recovered. New Zealand growers may congratulate themselves on their good luck, for until a week ago people expected that the heavy arrivals would have the effect of weakening the values of the New Zealand crossbreds so largely offering. The New Zealand wools for the coming series have naturally excited some comment as to the quantities sold locally compared with the amount sold iu London. As the local auctions in New r Zealand, as is well known, are small as compared with those of Victoria and New South Wales, there is a strong feeling among the buyers and large customers here that if some steps could be taken to centralise the market in New Zealand, and so make the business more easily -workable, largely increased support would be more readily given, and a success similar to that experienced in Sydney and Melbourne might be expected. If one large central market in the North and one in the South Island could be established, an impetus would be given and an inducement held out to buyers that would prove effectual to the worth of the local market. Sydney, July 29. The rise in wool in London is affecting the local market. Two lots have been placed at Is id and Is 2d respectively, The latter is the record price for the current year, and Id per lb above the top quotation realised at the last auction sales either in Sydney or Melbourne. London, July 31. Mr Gladstone addresses a public meeting next Tuesday, respecting Armenian atrocities. It is reported that Turkey has consented to adopt the whole of the reforms in Armenia demanded by European Powers. Tokio, July 80. The Japanese troops have destroyed the forts at Port Arthur. Cholera is prevalent in Japan, and 5000 deaths are reported since the outbreak. Washington, July 31. A series of crimes, similar to those perpetrated by Deeming, have been discovered in Chicago, where a man named Holmes was connected with the disappearance of no less than thirteen women. Three bodies were found in quicklime in a cellar. Holmes has disappeared. Melbourne, July 31. In connection with the Customs drawback frauds Roseufeldt was sento three months’ imprisonment and fined £IOO ; Davis and Benjamin to six months’ and £SOO each ; Stanway six months’ and £SO. The severity of the sentence caused a mild sensation, as the chief prisoners are well known and maintain a fairly good position in society. Adelaide, July 31. The Cancurry encountered the recent gales on her last trip to Albany, and ninety fat cattle a hundred sheep, and nineteen horses, part of a largo shipment for Perth, wore washed overboard, j