BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1584, 1 April 1882, Page 10

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

London, March 22nd.

It has now been proved that the cargo of frozen meat and butter was badly shipped at Melbourne on board the Protps, and that its very inferior condition on arrival is attributable to this cause. ; , In the House of Commons last evening there was under consideration a motion requiring that the electoral franchise of England, Scotland, and Ireland should be equalised. The motion, which was introduced oy ,"Mr R. A. Arnold, one of the Liberal members for Sal' ford, was supported by Mr Gladstone. The House signified their indirect approval of the proposal, although no definite decision was come to on the motion.

Adelaide and New Zealand wheat has advanced Is per quarter. Adelaide, ex warehouse, is now quoted at 545 ; New Zealand, ditto, 51s. Adelaide flour, ex store, has advanced to 38s.

At the wool sales to-day 10,000 bales were offered. Prices were firmer. Port Phillip wools are now about Id higher than last sales. March 23rd. The Bank of England has to-day . reduced its rate of discount to 3 per cent.

Mr Burnaby yesterday ascended in the balloon Eclipse from the south coast of England, with the object of crossing the Channel to France. Telegrams are to hand this morning showing that he has been successful, tha balloon having, been sighted from Boulogne, on the French coast. '

In the House of Lords to-day, the bill introduced by Earl Redesdale, requiring that members of Parliament, .upon taking the: customary oath of allegiance, should declare their belief in God, was rejected on the motion for second reading without a division. ■ ' In the House of Commons to-day, a motion granting the sum of £10,000 as an annuity to jPrince Leopold on the occasion of his approaching marriage to Princess Helena, of Waldeck, was voted on a division by a considerable majority. The minority, numbering 42 i members, consisted of Radicals and Parnellite members. Consols are at 101 J. • ....', New Zealand securities are firm •at last quotations.

The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Ba[nk of England is £15,000,000. There are no changes to report in the Colonial produce market. Twelve thousand two hundred bales were catalogued at to-day's wool auction, 1 the tone of which was strong. Superfine and finest qualitiefe of all classes of wool are firmer. Eleven thousand five hundred bales have been withdraw from sale since the opening of the series. ' The meeting for the purpose of considering the question of the proposed new College of Music was held this evening. The Prince of Wales presided, and there were present a large number of distinguished persons and many Colonials resident in England. Earl Kimber ley (Secretary of State), Sir Henry Parkes, the Agents-general for the various Colonies, and seyeral of the other speakers on the occasion appealed to the Colonies to co-operate in the objects of the meeting. Resolutions were passed with a view to the formation of the proposed college.

March 24th. The Daily News to-day published a telegram from the Cape stating that the Basutos are submitting, and freely paying the required taxes to the officials of the Cape Government. In the House of Commons to-day the motion 1 introduced by Mr C. T. Ritchie, Conservative member for Tower Hamlets, on behalf of the Fairtraders, for the appointment of a committee of inquiry into the effects of foreign tariffs on British trade, was, after a lengthy debate, negatived on a division. The motion was, supported by Sir Stafford Northcote and other leading Conservatives. > Obituary: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, poet, aged 75. March 25th. Consols have advanced to 101 J. New Zealand securities are firm at last quotations. Adelaide and New Zealand breadstuffs are unchanged. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,530,000 quarters. Australian tallow has advanced 6d per cwt. Best beef is quoted at 39s 6d ; best mutton at 44s 6d.

At yesterday's wool sale 9900 bales were offered. The market was steady, but the demand was not active. At to-day's auction 10,900 bales were catalogued, and the tone of the sale was firm*. The next series of {wool sales opens on May lGth. The total probable quantity to be offered will be 350,000 bales. Telegrams are to hand from Port-au-Prince, the capital of the Republic of Hayti.in the West Indies, announcing that a serious epidemic of smallpox has broken out there. The disease is of a virulent type, and 4400 deaths, have already resulted. _ / News has been received from Ireland tha^ the strong ill-feeling which has manifested itself of late between the men of the S4th and 88th Regiments stationed at Galway culminated to-day in a sorious disturbance in that town. Two bodies of _ men belonging to tho regiments named met in the street and a riot at once commenced. They fought desperately for some time, and several combatants received injuriesof a more or less serious character. The disturbance was at length suppressed by tho police, and several arrests were made.

London, March 27th. A very severe gale has been experienced in the English channel and on the English and French coasts. It has proved especially disastrous at Havre. Several wrecks have re suited, and a lifeboat, which was proceeding to the assistance of a vessel, was capsized, and her crow, numbering 16, were drowned. The house of Mr Mahon (a magistrate), near Roscommon, was destroyed by an explosion of dynamite last night. The inmates, however, escaped uninjured. The perpetrators of the outrage havo not yet been arrested. Intelligence has been received that Captain Bosanquet, of H.M.S. Northumberland— at

1 "inesenfc" stationed at Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia— has been attacked and wounded by marauders near that town. He was robbed ot what money and valuables he possessed, and ■ the robbers succeeded in escaping. A deputation of members of the British and Colonial Union waited upon the Secretary of State for the Colonies to-day in reference to the Anglo-French commercial relations. In reply to various speakers Earl Kimborloy stated that the French Government declined to accord to; the Biitish colonies the "most favoured nation treatment" on account of the diversiby of the various Colonial tanfts and the high duties levied by the Colonies upon French goods. England, Lord Kimberley added, was unable to control the decision of the lu-ench Government. . Rumours are current in Europe that a meeting will shortly take place between the Czar of Russia and the Emperor of Austria. Consols have further advanced to 101£. New Zealand securities are unchanged. Adelaide wheat ex warehouse has advanced 6d and is now quoted at 54s (id. New Zealand ditto remains at 51s. Adelaide flour ex store has advanced to 38s 6d. Australian tallow— best beef, 39s Od ; best

mutton, 44s Gd. Scotch pig-iron has fallen Is per ton ; No. 2, f.0.b., in Clyde, 50s. ' Galvanised iron, 2G gauge, has declined 5s per ton to £18. At the wool sales 11,000 bales wore catalogued. Prices were firmly maintained. In ferior and faulty wools of all kinds are in favour of buyers. ' The Australian liner Falmouth, 953 tons, has become a total wreck off Gravesend. Five of the crew are missing, and are believed to have been drowned. Paeis, March 24th. Mr Burnaby, who recently ascended from j the south coast of England in the balloon Eclipse, has successfully crossed the English Channel, and landed to-day in the neighbourhood of Caen. 1 "■ , , Berlin, March 22nd. , The eighty-fifth anniversary of the birthday of Emperor William was celebrated , to-day with great enthusiasm and rejoicing throughout the Empire. ' March 23rd. A telegram has been received by the Emperor William from the Czar of Russia conveying the. latter's warmest greetings on the occasion of his Majesty's birthday. ■ ' ' Berlin, March 27^ , The Emperor William sent a most cordial ' reply to the Czar's congratulations on the occa- ' sion of the former's eighty-fifth birthday. , , .- i . Capetown, March 22nd. Telegrams to hand from, the Transvaal announce that the native tribes in the south- ' west are now in open rebellion against* the , Boers' and that a severe engagement has been ' fought, in which the Boers were defeated with considerable loss. The whole of the south- • west province is now the scene of frequen^ encounters between' the^natives and tde Boers. Constantinople, March 2drd. Intelligence has reached here that containing a cargo of dynamite and gunpowder ■ Has 1 been seized by. the Russian authorities^ at Kertch, a seaport m > the Crimea. . Cairo, March 23ijd. . A political crisis is believed to be immi- . nent, and it is anticipated , that , Mahommed Barondi Pasha will resign and .be succeeded by Arabv Pasha (leader of the National party, .'and at "present Minister of .War), as President 'of the Council of Ministers. ;' ' ' ! , , , , .Cairo, March 27th. , ) The Egyptian Chamber of Notables was [pro* rogued to-day; The politioal situation is un- . o «>£? . , : w^g HIN QTQ T0 N, March 23rd. , The House of- Representatives, has passed the Chinese Exclusion Bill, which, was- re- ■ cently' voted by' the Senate. The measure entirely prohibits Chinese immigration ior 20 years and only permits Chinese officials, merchants,, students,, and travellers to enter ' j.l._ TT~4i«J CH-n+oci ' ' ' .' •

the, United states. , uW'a , . , , .. ■ . Ottawa, 1 March 23rd. The Canadian House of Commons, have passed a bill legalising marriage with a doceased wife's sister. ' ' . ,/'„'•, 1 ,

', (Special to, Age.) '•• !i I A meeting of extreme Democrats and sympathisers with the Nihilists was held yesterday at Soho to celebrate the anniversary of; the assassination of the late Emperor Alexander 11. of Russia. Speeches were made in defence of 'the; ngh^to f 'assassinate despots,' and great enthiuliaW was n&MeSrifed. +■*' -•' )'■ It is reported that General Skobelefr,;who was recently reprimanded by the Czar for his warlike and anti-German speechos in Paris, has been imprisoned at Wilna. A return showing the construction of j railways "in the United 'States during the -year ISBI has been published. It shows that the total- length constructed during the past'year was 9000 miles.- , ; ; The Russian Government has published an official declaration of its views on the present crisis that has arisen in Europe. The declaration repudiates any warlike intention on the part of Russia, arid asserts ,that the sole objects of the Government are to secure peace, . and to aim at promoting the internal progress of the country. ' . In consequence of the earthquake m Central America,' the Costa Rica, a small river which flows through the northern part of the State of that name, has risen above its, banks, .completely flooding the adjacent country,, aud causing great' destruction of life andi property. Owing to the favourable reception given by the Earl of Kimberley, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the deputation which waited upon him to urge the' desirability of reducing the import duties upon Australian wines, it has been thought advisable that a deputation should wait upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer and lay the matter fully before him. A number of gentlemen interested ih the • question will probably interview Mr Gladstone : with this object." In consequence of the immense number of applications for reduction of rent that have been made by the Irish tenants of the Land Commission, it is considered impossible that, as at present constituted, the Commission will be able to deal with them within' a reasonable time. The Government has accordingly announced its intention of bringing in a bill for the purpose of expediting the business of the Commission. The measure will be introduced into the House of Commons in May. . Considerable indignation has been aroused by the discovery of Russian intrigues in connection with Afghanistan. It has been ascertained that the Russian Government lias despatched emissaries toAyoub Khan for the purpose of inciting him to make another attempt on Cabul, with the object of dethroning the Ameer, Abdur Rahman. General Skobeleff lias delivered a speech on • the Central Asian question, lie regards the fears entertained in England at the progress of Russia in Central Asia as more humbug, asserting that there was room in Asia for both powers, and that the idea a Russian invasion of India was absurd, such a project being quite i mpracticable, and out of the question. r jChe sentence of eight years' penal servitude

passed upon Sergeant Mason for shooting at Guiloau, the assassin of President Garfield, lias caused a widespread feeling of indignation throughout tho United States. The State Congress of Ohio, where President Garfield was born, has passed a resolution denouncing the .sentence, on the ground of its undue severity, and lias appealed to the Supremo Court for its roversal.

The Russian Nihilists have decided to abandon the policy of assassination, which they have so daringly and persistently advocated for such a long time past. They announce that they have determined to pursue a system of pacific agitation, which they think will be more effective in bringing about the reforms they desire.

The Austrian Government i» making great efforts to suppress the Slavonic insurrection in the Danubian provinces. It is announced that the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are to bo definitely incorporated with the AustroHungarian Empire. The Porte has announced that it makes no objection to the complete annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria, and is quite prepared to recognise it. Great dissatisfaction is felt by the labouring classes in the United States, the present j'ate of wages being considered quite insufficient. An oxtensive strike has commenced, and is spreading rapidly. The Danish Government has decided to despatch an exploring expedition to the North Pole. It will sail from Copenhagen in June. The city of Merv, in Turkestan, is now practically subject' to Russian influence. Trading relations have been established, and caravans procoed regularly from the Russian towns in Turkestan to Merv.

It has been arranged to hold a conference of Freethinkers at Rome in the autumn, at which representatives from the chief European nations will be present. The presidency of the Conference has been offered to Mr Charles Bradlaugh, M.P. for Northampton. It has been decided that the coronation of Alexander the Third, Emperor of Russia, which has been hitherto postponed, shall take place next August. , ■•' An avalanche has occurred in the State of Nevada. An enormous mass of snow, came down from the mountains, overwhelming, in its course a number of dwellings. So far as is at present known, 18 lives have been lost. A Communist f6te has been held at Ravenna. Violent speeches were delivered, and rioting took place on an extensive scale. Before the disturbances could be suppressed several lives were lost.

A fire broke at one of the chief theatres at Marseilles, and before the conflagration could be stayed the theatre was completely gutted. As far as at' present has ,been ascertained, no lives have been lost. ' ' A fire broke out in one of the theatres at St. Petersburg, resulting in its destruction, the building being completely gutted. Fortunately no lives were lost. : A fire, occurred at the Opera House at Algiers, the capital of the French province of Algeria. Before the flames could be extinguished the theatre was entirely destroyed; ■ A number of prisoners who had been .condemned to imprisonment in Siberia pave escaped. Among them were several who <had been banished for political offences. .r. r \ A debate, is now going on in- the French Legislature on the question of the oath of giance. A proposal has been made to modify•it, and the question is being discussed with considerable warmth. , \ The labourers of Ireland are organising with , a view to securing higher wages from the tenant farmers. ' . < < , (Special to Argus.) t The.JHotl.i JJtßussell 'Lowell, the representative of the United' States in London, has been instructed by his Government to ask the English Cabinet to,, bring the, American subjfects, who "are" now' imprisoned as " suspects '! for their oonneotiqn with the Irish Land Le4gue, to speedy triali - \ The Czar of Russia has sent a dispatch to the Emperor of Germany, in' which he assures the latter that he has resolved to discourage any attempt to promote excitement tending to a war between the two' nations. " j ' Dr J. H. Brand, the President of the Orange Free State, has decided to accept the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, offered to him by her Majesty in rei cognition of his 'services in connection with the recent events in the Transvaal. ' ' i •

The racing-boat which Edward Trickett^ the New South Wales oarsman, brought with; him. from Toronto, and which was built upon, the lines of Hanlah's boat, has been smashed in a collision on the Thames. I

Howard Smith and Sons, of Melbourne, are 1 building a fifth steamer to be employed in the Queenstand coasting trade. • • ' Crimes of violence continue of frequent occurrence in Ireland. Four members of the "Moonlight" band have been captured,! and charged with complicity in three fresh cases of shooting which 'have taken place. j ' The latest news from Ireland gives particulars of the murder of a man named Andrews at Dublin 1 . ' The police followed the tracks of blood, which led to the house of a man named Kinsella, who has been arrested, and charged with the crime. A lady has also been shot in Sligo. American trade-unionists have held a meeting, at which they denounced the Hon. Mr Lowell, American Minister in London, for having refused to intercede with the British Government for the release of the American subjects who are imprisoned as " suspects " for their connection with the Irish' Land League. The meeting also passed a resolution demanding the recall of Mr Lowell by the United States Government. ,

The rule for a new trial in the libel case Scott v. Simpson has been discharged. A child who was kidnapped from Berne, in Switzerland, and for whose ransom 50,000f was demanded, has been found in a lonely house in one of the suburbs. Three persons have been arrested.

Hanlan, the Canadian oarsman, has gone to Newcastle. He will row Boyd on the Tyne for £1000 a side on April 3rd. A landowner and magistrate named Carter has been shot at Innis, in Ireland. The wounds are of a terrible description, and are expected to prove fatal.' • General Skobeleff is reported to have told a number of officers at St. Petersburg that the Czar secretly approves of the speech which he (General Skobeleff) made at Paris, in which he denounced Germany, and declared war imminent between that country and Russia.