BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1797, 30 April 1886, Page 11

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) London, April 21. Mr Charles Spencer, M.P. for Mid-North-amptonshire, addressing a public meeting at Newcastle, warmly supported the Irish bill introduced by the Government. Mr Chamberlain M.P., addressing his constituents at Birmingham, spoke in an absolutely hostile manner regarding the Land Purchase Bill, but expressed himself willing to support giving autonomy to Ireland if the scheme were widely amended. Mr Shaw Lefevre has been returned by a large majority for Bradford. London, April 23. Tenders are invited by the Government of South Australia for a loan of £1,330,000 at 4 per cent, The minimum has been fixed at | £97. Tenders are to be opened on the 30th inst. London, April 26. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the. United Kingdom is 1,860,000 quarters. New Zealand frozen mutton is unaltered in value. Sir Thomas Erskiue May, X.C.8., late clerk So the House of Commons, has been raised to the peerage. London, April 27. Lord Hartington has denied the accuracy of the statement circulated that a coalition was meditated between his followers and the Conservative party. He repudiates any intention of adopting that line of action. SuEz,.April 26. The P. aud O. Company's Valetta, which grounded on Thursday last at Timseh, in the Bitter lake section of the Suez canal, has been floated, and is now taking in the cargo which was dieharged for the purpose of lightening her. Rome, April 26". The Government are in receipt of despatches from the east coast of Africa stating that the Emir of Harrar, a province to southward of Massowah, attacked and massacred a number of Europeans resident in his dominions, including the entire dxpedition despatched by the Italian Government^for the exploration of the interior. Washington, April 22. President Cleveland has issued a message to Congress in which he advocates the creation of a commission to settle the present labour strikes, which he attributes in a large measure to the greed of employers. Mandalay, April 21. Reports from Bhamo state that a force of 200 British has been carrying on operations in Kachin district (north of Bhamo). The stockades of the Kachins were carried by assault and the rebels dispersed. The British troops returned to Bhamo with two officers wounded.

(Speciai to Press Association.) London, April 21. The number of bales reserved from the last wool sales is 48,000, and not 30,000. The Canadian Government have informed Sir Alexander Stuart that the Dominion is prepared to grant a subsidy in equal proportion to that given by Australia for the construction and maintenance of a cable to the Colonies. The Eafl of Granville expresses himself as generally favourable to the scheme. • A large number of representatives of the English and Continental newspapers have inspected the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, aud are greatly impressed with the Colonial exhibits. The several courts are all well advanced.- In connection with the opening of the Exhibition, Lord Tennyson will write the ode and Madame Albani will sing it. The Executive Commissioners will be presented to her Majesty the Queen, and the opening ceremony will resemble that of 1851. Sir P. C. Owen, secretary, states that the Exhibition will be the greatest ever held. The Prince of Wales is very much gratified at the hearty response for exhibits made by the Colonies. The Times states that the Colonial exhibits at the Exhibition will create an undying impression.

April 22. The shipment of grapes by the John Elder from Victoria has proved a failure from the same cause as before — namely, that of packing in sawdust. The remainder of the fruit by the same vessel is in splendid condition. The French Chamber of Deputies have sanctioned the holding of an exhibition in Paris. 11l connection with the receut Crawforcl-Dilke divorce case, Sir A. K. Stephenson (Queen's Proctor) has applied for the appearance of Sir Charles Dilke. It is stated that Mr Chamberlain will retire from politics before the vote aken on the Irish Land Purchase Bill.

London, April 23. The P. and O. steamer Valetta has grounded heavily in the Suez Canal at Ismalia, and it has been found necessary to unload her. A company formed to construct a line of railway from Nelson to Springfield (Canterbury) has been registered with a capital of £500,000. Fifteen thousand Abyssinian troops have been massed at Keren, about 75 miles from Massowah, to resist the occupation of territory in the vicinity of the latter place by Italy. H.M.S. Opal and the gunboat Raven have been re-commissioned for service on the Australian station. H.M.S. Thalia will convey new crews to Australia for these vessels. The following are the names of Lord Sheffield's team to play agajnst the Australians : — W. G. Grace, W. W. Reed, Newham, Ulyett, Shaw, Scotton, Barnes, Shrewsbury, Bates, Flowers, and Phillips. " The Australian cricket team have selected Scott as their captain, and Messrs Scott, Blackham, and Giffen as the match committee. The Cheswick Park Club have offered the colonial team their ground for i>ractice.

April 24. The South Australian loan of £1,332,400 is fixed at 4 per cent., with a minimum of 99. Tenders will be opened on the 30th inst. It is considered that the present time is inopportune, owing to the Easter holidays. The Times states that the art products of the colonies at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition are very striking. The wheat market is stationary, and business is checked owing to the holidays. London, April 25. The Statist asserts that Mr Gladstone's scheme leaves Ireland without revenue. Mr Arthur, ex-President of the United States, is in a critical condition.

April 26. The British authorities have rejected Mukhtar Pasha's army scheme for Egypt. Some uneasiness is felt at Ptussia massing her troops in the neighbourhood of the Crimea. The Canadian Government have seized an American smack arriving at Canada from Nova Scotia. South Australian 4 per cents, have declined per cent. A sculling match between Goodwin and Matterson will be vowed on Thursday next.

In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain will move an amendment to Mr Gladstone's Irish Land Purchase Bill. London, April 27. The Australian cricketing eleven have been invited to the opening ceremony of the IndianColonial Exhibition. The steamer Clitrus has been launched at Yarrow, situated on the River Tyne. She is intended for the Australian-Indian trade. The Italian Parliament has been dissolved. The death is announced of Lionel Tennyson. An outpost at Suakiu occupied by Indian troops has been captured by the rebels. The Hon. John Bright is in sympathy with the Marquis of Hartington in his objections to Mr Gladstone's Irish proposals.