HOME AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 4 March 1882, Page 20

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(Reuter's Special.)

London, February 27th.

In the House of Commons this evening, after the postponement of the orders of the day had been agreed to, Mr Gladstone brought on the motion of which he gave notice during last week, and which takes the form of a mes sage to the House of Lords, dissenting in terms already telegraphed from their action in appointing a Select Conamittee to inquire into the working of the Irish Land Act. The Premier made a lengthy speech in support of the motion, and, on resuming his seat, was followed by Mr E, Gibson, Q.O. (Attorneygeneral for Ireland in the Beaconsfield Administration), who moved the previous question, and addressed the House in opposition to the motion. The debate was then ad j ourned till to-morrow.

The Committee of Inquiry into the working of the Irish Land Act, appointed by the House of Lords, consists of 10 peers. Earl Cairns is chairman. The Orient's cargo of frozen meat, consisting of mutton and lamb, has been sold at an average of 5Jd per lb. The meat was of first quality.

February 28th. The new series of Colonial wool auctions opened to-day. There was a large attendance of both Home and foreign buyers. The^ opening catalogue comprised 16,400 bales. Bidding was animated, and good competition was experienced for the various lots offered. The prices ruling at the close of the late sales wore iirmly maintained. The present series of auctions will close on April sth. Consols have advanced £, and are now quoted at 100j|. New Zealand securities remain at the following quotations : — Five per cent. 10-40 loan, 105 ; 5 per cent. 1889 loan, 104 ; 4£ per cent. 1879-1904 loan, 100. The wheat market is dull. Adelaide, ex store, remains at 545 ; New Zealand wheat, ."50s. Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 408.

The market for Australian tallow is quiet. Best beef is unchanged at 40s, and best mutton at 465.

The homeward Australian and New Zealand mails via Brindisi, which left Melbourne ISth January, were delivered in London yesterday. In the House of Commons last night a resolution was passed setting forth that Mr Davitt, one of the prominent members of the Land League, who was recently elected to represent .VEeath, is not eligible to sit in the House of Commons, ho being now under arrest. It has transpired that the Select Committee appointed by the House of Lords to inquire into the working of the Irish Land Act invited the Chief Secretary for Ireland to give evidence. The Cabinet has, however, refused to sanction such a course, and Mr Forster will therefore decline *the request of the Committee.

St. Petersburg, February 27th. The trial of 20 prominent Nihilists has just concluded. Ten of the accused have been sentenced to death, and 10 to penal servitude for life.