NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 283, 25 May 1897, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. Melbnurne, May 22. Hamilton McKinnon, well-known journalist, and a friend named Aikman, were playing with McKinnon's revolvers pretending to shoot each other, when Aikman's exploding shot McKinnon through the body. McKinnon before dying, exonerated bis friend. Botb believed the weapons were unloaded. SOUTH AFBICA. London, May 21. Dr Leyds arrived in London, en route to the Hague, to assume the position of Transvaal Minister Pleniotentiaty and Envoy Extraordinary to Germany and the Netherlands. He had several interviews with the Bight Hon J. Chamberlain, as a result of which a settlement of the difficulties between Great Britain and the Transvaal is probable. EECOBD BEIGN. Sydney, May 22. The Cabinet has adopted the following proposals for celebrating the Queens's Becord Beign : Dinners at the inmates asylums and other Government benevolent institutions ; extra supply of clothing, food, and tobacco to aboriginals ; relief of destitute poor outside Government institutions ; illuminating the city, foreshores, harbor, parks and squadron; and unveiling Governor Philips' statue. There will also be a monster demonstration of public school children on June 21. Tuesday will be declared a national holiday. London, May 23. The Victorian Bifle Team has arrived in Loudon. The team proceeded to Bisley, where the men will be allowed to practice at the rauges. The officials are procuring Lee Metford rifles for the team. The visitors will not accept any hospitalities until the National Bifle Association meeting at Bisley is over, although they will probably appear in the Becord Beign procession. The officers will certainly be present. CHAMBEBS OF COMMEBCE. Sydeey, May 20. Mr Geddes, of Sydney, read a paper reviewing the meat export trade. He strongly urged the necessity of improving the present unsatisfactory methods of storage, distribution, and sale iu Europe, and suggested that a joint Australian commercial representative be attached to the British consular offices of the Continent, thus replacing the existent comparatively dormant official representation in England with a living commercial influence. The Conference resolved to invite the co-operation of the London chamber to facilitate the sale of frozen meat in Great Britain and on the Continent, the. main points to be overcome, in the opinion of the Conference, being economy, storage, and the mode of distribution.