BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1476, 28 February 1880, Page 11

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Reuter's Special.) London, February 17th. Three per cent, consols, 98. The new aeries of the Colonial wool auction sales opened to-day. 80,000 bales were catalogued for the opening sale. There was a firm and active demand, and Australian wools at the close of the day showed an advance of 10 per cent.,compared with the last auctions. There was a large attendance of Home and foreign buyers. February 18th. The Homeward mails via San Francisco were delivered in London on the 18th inst. At the wool auctions during the past week 9645 bales have been catalogued. The steamship Tanjore sailed to-day. The five per cent. New Zealand 1040 loan has advanced 1 per cent., and to-day is quoted at 104£ Adelaide wheat (per 4961b, ex warehouse) haa further advanced Is, to-day's quotation being 69a. Adelaide flour is unchanged. The market for Australian tallow is unchanged at last quotations — viz., best beef, 363 ; beat mutton, 38s 6d per cwt. February 19 th. The total reserve of notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £16,625,000. At the wool auctions during the past week 10,300 bales have been catalogued. The general tone of the sales is firm, and there is an active demand.

February 21st.

At to-day's wool sales 9900 bales were offered, and prices were firmly maintained.

Sailed : The Orient liner Sovata, for Melbourne, on Saturday. £t. Petersburg, February 17th. (Evening.) Intense excitement has been occasioned in this city in consequence of a renewed and dastardly attempt to destroy the Czar and the entire Imperial family. From the particulars which have at present transpired, it appears that aboub the time at whicli the guests invited to a grand dinner at the Winter Palace were assembled, a mine was fired by electricity, and suddenly exploded under the guardroom, which is Bituated immediately beneath the grand dming-hall. A terrific explosion took place, causing * large rent

in the flooring of the dining-hall, whore tbo Imperial family wore supposed to ba congregated. Most providentially, however, ihoy had not assembled, and all the members of the family consequently escaped. The guard-room was, however, completely destroyed, and five of tho guards wore killed on the spoS and no leaa than 30 others seriously wounded. Not the slightest doubt is entertained that a deliberate attempt was made to assassinate the Czar and ths imperial family, and the act in belioved to bo connected with the plot to destroy the palace which wa3 discovered bo rue weeks ti<'O.

February 18 th. (Later )

On .in examination boing muclo of ihe Winter Palace, it was discovood that -a wire, conflicting of dynamite and guncoLton, had been laid. The train y,;is traced from the inner court to the fuel collar. The escape of those in the palace was most providential.

February 19bh.

It has been ascertained that the nuno under the Winter Pdlace was fired by a battory at the time that the imperil family, attended by servants, were actually entering the saloon. A number of the Littwr were seriously injured. The aft'dr has caused a great sensation, and a large number of arrests have taken place in consequence.

Calcutta, February 23rd. Advices have been received from (-Übul stating that General Roberts has offered to hold a conference with Mahomed Jan and other insurgents for the purpose of discussing the position of affairs in Afghanistan and the question of the future rnlership of that country. St. Petersburg, February 22nd.

The Academy of Forest Culture at Moscow was totally destroyed by fire today. One of the students of the Academy, who is believed to be implicated, has been arrested on a charge of incendiarism.

(Special to the Press Association.) London, February 18th. An electric mine was sprung under the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg yesterday. The Czar and his family were late in coming to dinner, and escaped. The magnificent dining-hall of the palace was completely destroyed. Seven soldiers were killed and 40 wounded. The invading Turcomans are nearing Balkh. Oabul is excited. • The Paris municipality has voted 10,000f to convey the French exhibits to Melbourne. The San Francisco employers are dismissing the Chinese.

February 19th.

The announcement that Mr Hannay, of Glasgow, has succeeded in producing artificial diamonds that defy detection from real ones is confirmed.

February 20th.

At the wool auctions to-day 8800 bales have been catalogued. There was a firm and active demand. In the House of Lords an important discussion took place on the Afghanistan question. The Duke of Argyle again attacked the policy of the Government. The Premier replied, defending the course pursued, stating that Russia sought to embarrass England in Asia. The duty of the Government was therefore to secure the gates of India, and until this had been achieved it was impossible to retire from Afghanistan, as anarchy still prevailed in the country. February 21st.

There was an excited debate to-day in the House of Lords on the Afghan question. The Duke of Argyle condemned the Afghan policy of the Ministry, stigmatising it as deceitful, weak, cowardly, and a stain on British honour. Lord Beaconsfield defended the Government. London, February 23rd. The Afghan chiefs are apparently willing to submit. General Roberts is negotiating with them. The Foresters' Academy at Moscow haa been fired.

Berlin, February 21sfc.

The German Government are taking an active interest in the preparation of exhibits for the Melbourne Exhibition, and are adopting steps to be be adequately represented, and have also determined to grant a liberal subsidy. Constantinople, February 21st,

Colonel Lynge, who was accompanied by his wjfe, engaged in relieving the destitute of Roumelia, have been captured by Greek brigands, and threatened with death failing an adequate ransom. Galle, February 21at. The P. and O. Company's steamship Bangalore left here to-day with the in ward Suez mails.

(Special to the Melbourne Age.) London, February 18th.

The Turcoman expedition, under Abdul Rhaman, is approaching Balkh without opposition, occasioning groat excitement amongst the Cabulese. The Municipality of Paris has voted 5000 francs to defray the cost of a Bpecial collection of exhibits for Melbourne.

The Chinese are being dismissed from the factories and railway works in California owing to the popular pressure. February 19th.

The Turcoman chiefs have been ordered to levy 60,000 men for the purpose of offensive operations against the 1-iussians. The Khan of Merv has appealed to India and Persia to furnish him with artillery. Colonel Oolley, military secretary to the Viceroy of India, has been appointed successor to General Woleeley fa $©. Transvaal,

(Special to the Melbourne Argus.) London, February 20th. The Canadian Board of Trade suggested to the English Associated Chambers of Commerce to convene a conference to put trade on a sounder basis.

The British and Colonial Chambers are arranging for a preliminary conference of colouists resident in Great Britain to decide whether there shall be a meeting of Culonial and Home delegates next y (•!«•. Sown csxalled personages were implicated in the oil tr age at the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg. Thi* Waterloo Cap was won by Mr Ctviulhei's Honewood, with Plunger as i unu-r-np. The Pur c was won by Shep- ' J)hjt)-.4n, an! tliu Plate by Debonnaire. Woo] is lirru at opening rates. There Ins lieen an advance in fleece and greasy of I|J, soured 2d, and cross-bred 2d. London, February 22nd. The Canadian Parliament has voted 100.000 do!s (£21,000) towards the Irish R-liof Fund.

Greek brigands have seized Colonel Syng« and wife, and demand a heavy ransom.

The Russians are sending torpedo boata and war material to Pert Olga Bay, abandoning Vladitsvostock. It ia rumoured that the Russians are arranging; with Japan for a large shipyard at Nagasaki, aa the dispute between China and Japan is still unsettled, and, as Ohina talks of refusing to satisfy the Kulija Treaty, Japan may accept the proposal. Tho Irish Works Bill debate derived ita chief importance through the Irish members prolonging the discussion made to shelve Mr Newdigate's motion to prevent obstruction. The Government were thus induced to replace Mr Newdigate's with their own resolution.

It is believed that the Government are deßirous to appeal to the country -with an anti-obstructive cry.