BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1652, 21 July 1883, Page 10

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.] (Recter's Telegrams.) London, July 11. In the House of Commons last night Mr Gladstone announced that intelligence had reached the Government of a grave occurrence at Tamatave, Madagascar, a town which has been in the occupation of the French forces for the past few years. While the British Consul at Tamatave was lying ill, his secretary was arrested by order of the French commander, and the Consul was peremptorily ordered to quit the town within 20 hours. Before that time elapsed, however, the Consul died. The French commander invited the officers of H.M.S. Dryad, lying in port, to attend the funeral. Several officers came ashore for the purpose, and when the ceremony was ended they were forbidden to re-embark, and were compelled to remain on shore. Mr Gladstone concluded by stating that the occurrence was of such a serious nature that the Government demanded immediate explanations from the French Government. It is announced that Mr Childers, acting on behalf of the British Government, has signed an agreement with Count De Lesseps for the construction of a second canal through the Isthmus of Suez, parallel to the present one. The work is to be completed by 1888. England will provide the required capital of £8,185,000. The agreement provides for a reduction of the tolls levied by the present Canal Company. Consols have fallen f , and are now quoted at par. New Zealand securities remain at last quotations. Adelaide wheat (ex store) is unchanged at 465, and New Zealand do at 42s to 455 ; Adelaide flour (ex store), 335. Australian tallow— best beef, 31s; best mutton, 42s 6d. (Per Merchant Shippiug and Underwriters' Association.) London, July 11. — Arrived : Duncraig, ship, from Wellington (March 29); City of Tanjore, from Lyttelton (April 18) j City o Perth, from Bluff (April 13). July 12. In the House of Lords last night Earl Carnarvon, referring in the course of a speech to the proposed annexation of New Guinea, strongly urged the Government to accede to the request of the Australian Colonies, and declared that the annexation of this land by Great Britain would ultimately be inevitable. July 12. In the House of Lords to-day Earl Granville, in reply to a question, stated that the Government had reason to believe that tha French Government were disposed to grant re» paration for the outrage on British officials and naval officers in Madagascar. His Lordship added that communications on the subject were still passing between the two Governments. At the meeting of British shipowners held in London to-day, a resolution was passed condemning as one-sided the agreement concluded between the English Government and Count de Lesseps for the construction of a second canal. The resolution also declared that England's position was in no way improved by the agree* ment. The total reserve in the Bank of England in notes and bullion is £11,600,000, being an increase of £30,000 as compared with the reserve last week. The proportion of reserve to liabilities has advanced to 42 per cent. The bank rate of discount remains at 4 per cent., and the market rate at 3| per cent. Consols have further declined £, and are now quoted at 99§. New Zealand securities remain as follows : — Five per cent. 10-40 loan, 106 J ; 5 per cent. 1889 loan, 104£ ; 4^ per cent. 1879 1904 loan, 102; 4 per cent, inscribed stock, 101 (ex div.). The markets for Australian breadstuffs and tallow are unchanged. Australian bides are now realising full prices. Colonial breadstuffs continue dull. Adelaide flour has declined Is, and to-day is quoted at 32s per 2801b (ex store) ; Adelaide wheat remains at 365, and New Zealand at 42s to 45s per 4961b (ex store). Australian tallow has further declined 6d to Is per cwt. Best beef ia now at 40s 6d, and best mutton at 41s 6d. Tbs total quantity of wheat afloat for United Kingdom is 1,710,000 quarters, a reduction of 60,000 quarters during the week. July 13. •, Sir Stafford Northcote has given notice of his intention to oppose the agreement with Count de Lesseps for the construction of a second Suez canal when the vote to provide the necessary capital comes on for consideration. Mr Gladstone, replying to a question to-day, stated that any further dispatches that might be received from the Colonies on the subject of New Guinea would receive due consideration at the hands of the Government. London, July 16..' In consequence of the state of affairs in Madagascar, H.M.S. Euryalus, 16 guns, 4140 tons, the flagship of Admiral Sir William Hewitt on the East Indian station, and H.M.S. Tourmaline, 12 guns, 2120 tons, now on particular service, have been ordered to proceed forthwith te the Mauritius. Alexandria, July 12. The cholera epidemic continues to spread throughout the country. Several deaths have occurred in places in the neighbourhood of Cairo, and it is feared that the plague will spread to that city. July 14. The mortality from cholera ia now generally decreasing. The epidemic, however, continues to spread, and cases have appeared at Talka, Belkas, and Chobar. Alexandria, July 16. Telegrams _to hand from Cairo report that the cholera is now general in that city, and is Bpreading rapidly in the native quarters? Cairo, July 14. The cholera epidemic appeared at Gizeh, a village in the suburbs of this city. Five persons have been attacked with the disease to-day. Paris, July 15. Serious rioting occurred at Roubaix, a manufacturing town in the extreme north of France, The disturbance was caused by the Anarchists, who 'assembled in large numbers and defied the civil authorities. It was found necessary to call out the military in the neighbourhood before the rioters could be dispersed and order restored. Paris, July 16. In the Chamber of Deputies to-day M, Challemel-Lacour, Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated, in reply to a question regarding the Anglo French difficulty at Tamatave, that the French Government would act with justice, and make due reparation if it was found that tho commander of the French squadron in Madagascar waters had committed an error in dealing with the British authorities at Tamatave. Cape Town, July 10. Intelligence is to hand frem Zululand that a severe engagement has been fought between the followers of Ce.t?3.wayo ancl those of Ohaw,

The latter were completely defeated, and Oham himself was taken prisoner. July 14. Since the recent engagement between Cetewayo and Oham, in which f he followers of the latter were defeated, Oham himself being captured, further fighting has taken place, resulting in the defeat of the followers of Cetewayo. San Francisco, July 10. The [Homeward New Zealand and Australian mails, from Auckland # June 19, arrived here yesterday, three days in advance of contract time. New York, July 10. This season's American wheat crop is estimated at 425,000,000 bushels.