BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Reuter's Telegrams.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1716, 11 October 1884, Page 9

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Reuter's Telegrams.)

London, October 1. The Bank of South Australia has declared a dividend for the past half-year at the rate of 10 par cent, per annum, and carries forward or places to the reserve fund £7000. October 2. The accounts of the cholera epidemic from the Continent show a slight decrease in the ravages of the disease in Italy. The mortality in Naples has fallen to 50 deaths daily, and the same number are reported from Geneva. In reply to a speech delivered by the Eight Hon. Mr Gladstone to-day, the Marquis of Salisbury declared that he was in no way prepared to yield to the Government on the question of reform of the franchise. Intelligence is to hand from the West Ooast of Africa that Spece (sic), an Englishman, and lessee of the guano islands in the Bay of Angra Pequena, has been warned off them by representatives of Luderitz and, Co., of Bremen, who claim possession of the islands and distriot of Angra Fequena. October 3. The Timea this morning states that Lord Wolseley has been recalled from Egypt, and that General Stephenson will take command of the expedition to Souakim. Colonial Breadsfcuffs.— Adelaide wheat (ex Btore), 365; New Zealand, 31s to 345. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United is 1,580,000 quarters. Tallow.— Australian beef and mutton, average quality, 33s 6d. New Zealand frozen mutton, prime quality, has advanced during the week by id, and in now quoted at 6d per lb. • _. . „ London, October 6. The breadstuff market is unchanged. Adelaide wheat (ex store), 365 ; New' Zealand ditto, 31s to <34a. Adelaide flour (ex warehouse), 255. Australian tallow: Average quality beef and mutton remain at 335. 6d. Leather-. Best Australian aides are unchanged at 12d. Oaibo, October 4. In reply to the protest lodged by the Powers interested m the law of liquidation against the suspension of Caisse, Nubar Pasha has stated that the suspension was absolutely necessary in view of the Biluation of the Egyptian Ministry. The French, Austrian, and Italian members of the Oaisse have commenced a lawsuit against the Egyptian Government for diverting the revenues assigned by the decree of the Khedive to the payment of interest on the national debt. m i_ October 5. Telegrams have been received here reporting the arrival of General Wolseley at Wady Haifa. Lord Northbrook is now on his way to Assouan. .... „ Calcutta, October 2. A disastrous railway collision occurred today near Arungatta, in this Presidency, resulting in the death of 60 persons and serious injury to others. St. Petersburg 'October 1. Serious damage from fire has occurred among the shipping on the Volga. A burning vbhso waa abandoned to the force of the current, and drifted down the river, setting fire to a large number of merchantmen. The fire is Htill raging "among the shipping, and the loss is already estimated at several million roubles. T „. , Honokokg, October 4. Intelligence has been received here that

Admiral Courbet is attacking Kelung, on the island of Formosa, with the intention of taking possession of the town. A strong resistance is being offered by the Chineso troops, and a sharp engagement has been fought, resulting in favour of the French, who have occupied two positions. The French loss is reported as 18 killed and wounded, whilst that of the Chinese amounted to 200. Hongkong, October 6. Port Tamsui, on the coast of Formosa, was to-day occupied by the French troops landed by Admiral Lespes. Madbid, October 6. The cholera epidemic has now entirely ceased in this country. Rome, October 6. The number of fresh cases of cholera in Naples and other towns has materially lessened during the last few days, and hopes are entertained that the spread of the epidemic has been permanently checked. v Copenhagen, October 4. A disastrous fire occurred to-day, causing the total destruction of the Royal palace and the Houses of Parliament. (Special to Press Association.) London, October 1. Mr Murray Smith has informed Sir R. W. Herbert, Permanent Under-secretary for the Colonies, of the movements of German men-of-war in Colonial waters. The Agents-general of the various Colonies have held a meeting to consider the advisability of taking united action in regard to the Pacific question, but the attitude of Sir Saul Samuel, Agent- general for New South Wales, has prevented such a line of action being taken. October 2. The Marquis of Salisbury in his speech on the franchise stated that the Lords would not yield to the demands made, as such demands were arrogant and dictatorial. The Government are at present discussing the advisability of despatching an expedition against the Boers in consequence of their recent aggressive action in Zululand. Admiral Courbet has been instructed to seize the harbour of Kelung and tbe coal-mines in its neighbourhood as a guarantee for the war indemnity. A compromise will probably be effected in regard to the recent suspension of the law of liquidation by the Egyptian Government. London, October 2. A cablegram from Australia which has been published in a London paper, stating that the Duke of Manchester had been attacked by blacks, caused considerable sensation and anxiety. October 3. France requested the American Government to mediate between France and China to form the basis of the indemnity, but China scornfully refused to pay any such indemnity. The late Professor Erasmus Wilson has left a legacy of £200,000 to the Royal College of Surgeons, London, October 5. The Times adheres to the statement pub- [ lished to the effect that General Lord Wolseley had been recalled. The various Agents-general, excepting Sir Saul Samuel, request an interview with Lord | Derby to press the settlement of the Pacific ! question. The Marquis of Hartington, speaking at Lancashire, implied that a compromise was possible if the Marquis of Salisbury withdrew his opposition to the Franchise Bill after seeing that the Redistribution Bill was fair. Mr Forster and Mr Morley, M,P>'s, addressed a meeting of 70,000 people at Leeds on the Franchise Bill. Nubar Pasha has assured the Powers that the suspension of the law of liquidation was an absolute necessity. October 6. The Standard advises the Tories to accept the offer made by the Marquis of Hartington with reference to the Franchise Bill. Lord Granville has informed the Powers that if necessary he • will further interfere in the question of Egyptian finances. The Usutus are plundering the Zulu reserve. The Cun&rd liner Umbria has attained a speed of 24 miles an hour. Lord Carnarvon, replying to Mr Service, rejoices that the Australian Colonies opposed the sinister proposal of France to establish a penal colony of the worst type so close to Australia. Mr Charles Fisher has refused the offer recently made by an English capitalist to purchase his Northern Territory property. _ The Imperial Cabinet are at present discusBing various Australian subjects. The tenders for the New South Wales loan of two and a-balf millions at 3£ per cent, were opened 10-day, and tbe amount was covered threefold. It is expected that the average price will be over £94. October 7. The Daily News states that the worst abominations of slavery are practised by labour recruiters on the inhabitants of New Guinea, and further, that it is urgently necessary that British authority should be established on the southern coast of that island. The Standard, in an article on Colonial loans, considers premiums fictitious, and the system of tendering unfair to investors. The German Colonial Secretary warns Germans against anything approaching a colonising fever. It is reported that the bank rate of discount will be 3 per cent, shortly.