BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1674, 22 December 1883, Page 25

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[By Elkotkio Tblegbaph— Copi^ohTvS (Keuteb's Teleqeams.) London, December 12. The markets for Colonial breadstuffs and' tallow are without quotable change. Copra (Sydney 8«n-dried)remains at £19 10s. Australian leather : Best sides have fallen to lid. The steamship Kent, outward bound from London to Melbourne, was found on arrival at Port Baid to be on fire in the hold. The fire was extinguished soon after it was discovered. Some slight damage was done to th"c crrgo. December 12. 1 ■ A destructive hurricane of unprecedented violence passed over England to-day. Several persons were killed, and others seriously injured. A large amount of property was destroyed along the path of the storm. December 13. Australian hides are dull of sale at easier . rates. There are no other changes to report ia ' tbe markets for Colonial produce. December 14. The Ergbfc Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P. forBradford, addressed his constituents last night. In the course of Us speech Mr Forster said he-, was rejoiced to heaf oi the proposed federation, of the Australasian Colonies, and trusted Lord Derby would be able to accede to the request of the Australasian Convention for the annexation of New Guinea and the .Pacific islands. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,800,000 quarters, beii?s 100,000 less than last week. ■ Adelaide wheat, ex store, remains at 46s ; and New Zealand, Cutto, at I 38s 6d to 43a 6d. Adelaide flour, ex' war&house, 323. Australian tallow is without change. December 15. Adelaide wheat (ex warehouse), 46s ; New' Zealand (ditto). 38s Gd to 43s 6d, according to quality. Adelaide flour (ex store), 325. The steamship Kent, which was found to be on fire on arrival at Port Said, has resumed her voyage for Australia, after overhauling and restowing the damaged cargo. Admiral Sir W. N. W. Hewitt, commanding the East Indian squadron, has gone to> Souakim, on ths Egyptian coaßt of the Red Sea. December 17. o'Donnell, the assassin of James Carey, was hanged this morning. The cargo of frozen mutton ex British QueeD, from Lyttelton, has been examined and found to be in excellent condition. In the course of a dispatch addressed by Earl Granville to the Egyptian Government, the British Minister for Foreign Affairs states that the English Government cannot interfere in the pacification of the Soudan, but that endeavours will be made to ' obtain an expedition of Turkish troops from the Porte. Adelaide wheat (ex store) remains at 4(Js, and New Zealand at 38s 6d to 43s 6d. Adelaide flour (ex warehouse), 325. December 18. It is officially announced that the Imperial rule over Basutoland has been restored. The Royal Dublin Regiment of Fusilier's is under orders to proceed to Egypt. Paris, December 14. Intelligence is to hand from Tonquin reporting that the King of Anam has been poisoned, and that his death has been caused by conspiracy among the anti-French party ia Anam. December 14. General Millot has received ordera to proceed to Tonquin in command of two brigades, comprising 3000 men. The forces in Tonquin. will by these reinforcements be raised to a strength of 15,000 men. December 15. In view of the necessity for the despatch of reinforcements to Tonquin territory, it was. stated at' the sitting of the Chamber of Deputies to-day that it would be necessary to as.k for a further vote of credit to meet the expenses incurred, and that the sum of 20,000,000fr would be required for that purpose. December 16. In addition to the force of 3000 men which will embark for Tonquin within a week under General Miilot, another body of troops of the same strength will ba despatched during the mouth of January. The fortress at Bac Ninhi will, it is stated, not be attacked until thej arrival of these reinforcements. December 17. Dispatches to hand from Tonquin state that. GOOO French troops were being landed near Sontay, and that an attack upon that place is expected to be made on the 12th inst. The* enemy was estimated at 20,000 strong. Cairo, December 13. The latest intelligence to hand from the Soudan is to the effect that the immense body of Arabs which El Mahdi recently had under his command has greatly decreased, and that a large number of his adherents are dispersing. Baker Pasha is now engaged in organising an expedition against the Soudan rebels. His force will be composed of Egyptian gendarmes, negro troops, and a contingent of Bedouin Arabs. December 14. A telegram has been received from the Governor of Dongohola, announcing that he has received authentic information that Hicks Pasha was not killed at the time his army was annihilated by the rebel force, but succeeded in escaping, and is now at Birket. Later intelligence from the Soudan states that dissension has occurred among the trib'ea who were leagued together under El Mahdi, and that they are now returning to their former isolated condition. December 16. An eye-witness, who escaped from the battle of Elobied when the Egyptiam army was annihilated, confirms the statement that Hicks Pasha was destroyed (sic) when his troops ' were routed, and denies the truth of the telegram received from the Governor of Dongola to the effect that Hicks Pasha is alive and at Birket. Alexandria, December 15. A serious fire has occurred in this city, the temporary buildings which were erected in the square to replace those burned at the time of tho bombardment of the city by the British squadron being totally destroyed. Serious religious ferment has commenced in Upper Egypt between the Mussalmans and the Christians, and it is feared that the ill-feeling may give rise to a serious outbreak. Hongkong, December 13. Information has been received from Canton that the fortifications surrounding the city have been put in complete readiness to withstand attack if an outbreak of war should occur, aad that strong bodies of troops are posted outside the city. December 14. Admiral G. O. Willis, C.8., is commanding the China squadron now at Canton. A report has reached hare that tha usurper of the throne of Anam, who caused the late king to be poisoned, has refused lo recoguine ,tha treaty which hia predecessor made with

4he French Commissioner, M. Hai'mond, and will declare war against the French.

Rome, "December 17. Prince Frederick William of Gminany ■arrived here to-<i a y, aud received an ovation from the populace, who had assembled in larpre numbers to greet him. He_ will be the guoe>t of King Ttmnbert at the Quirinal during his stay in Vhis city.