BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1672, 8 December 1883, Page 19

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[B-i Emkjtbio Telegraph.— Copyright.]

(Rkutkr's Tklh&rams.) London, December 3.

Adelaide wheat (ex stsre) baa declined 6d per quarter, and is to-day quoted at 46s ; New Zealand wheat is quoted at 38s 6d to 43s 6d— a decline of Is on the best qualities. Adelaide flour remains at 32b (ex store). At the wool sales to-day an active demand was experienced for the various lots offered. The catalogue comprised 8200 bales. Tho cargo of frozen mutton, consisting of 3650 carcasses, which arrived on the 21st November from Melbourne, per Garonne, but was stored owing to the market being temporarily glutted, was placed on the market to day, when the carcasses offered realised s^d to s.}d per lb. The meat was in fair condition, but too fat.

December 4,

• The wheat market is unchanged. Adelaide (ex store) ia at 465 ; New Zealand do, 38a 6d to 433 6d ; Adelaide flour (ex store) 325. Australian Tallow. — Best beef, 393 ; best Bl itton, 433. The catalogue at to-day's wool sale comprised 9700 bales. The market continues firm.

An expedition, sanctioued by the Royal Geographical Society, is now being organised for the purpose of exploring New Guinea, and it is expected to start at an early date. Telegrams to hand from Zanzibar report that the bombardment of the Malagasy coast towns has again been resumed by Admiral Gallibar, and that the French war-vessels hay» 'slielled several places on tho north and south coabts of Madagascar.

The report current yesterday that a peerage will shortly be offered to Alfred Tennyson is now confirmed.

Washington, December 4 (noon).

The United States Congress was formally opened to-day. In the customary message on tho occasion President Arthur announced that the Government have decided to extend the relations of tho Union with Eastern nations, and that it might possibly become necessary to co-operate with other Powers with a view to secure liberty of trade in the Congo Valley. He suggests that a policy of retaliation should bo pursued towards countries levying taxes on the importation of American productß. The message announces that the Budget shows a surplus of 39,000,000d01, and concludes by urging that steps, be taken to reconstruct the navy of the Union, and at the same time to proceed with various coast defences which are necessary. Capk Town, December 4. News is to hand from Basutoland to the effect that the native tribes have agreed to accept Imperial rule, and that the chiefs have rendered submission to the British authorities. (Special to Press Association.) London, December 4. At a meeting of the Agents-general it was decided to suggebt to the Conference an important course or action respecting the recidmitea.