(Special to Press Association.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1855, 10 June 1887, Page 13

(Special to Press Association.)

London, May 31.

The Nevoe Vremya, of St. Petersburg, considers that France and Russia are certain not to ratify the Egyptian Convention.

It is reported that the troops of the Ameer at Ghuznee were badly defeated by the Ghilzais on the 20th inst.

Bishop Barry, of Sydney, on addressing the ladies of King's College, Cambridge, declared that drinking was carried on to a greater extent in New South Wales than in England, especially among the higher grades of society. Sensual vice and the spirit of lawlessness were, however, less prevalent in that colony than at Home ; but the material and intellectual progress of the colonists was undoubted.

Hops are stunted and withered, and the harvest prospects are bad.

It transpires that the Imperial Conference refused to recommend a simultaneous census of the empire.

The Times advises investors to be wary of Australian mining companies.

Baron Nordensjold announces that he is prepared to undertake an Antarctic expedition after ISB9, and estimates the cost at £25,000.

June 1

The captain, mates, and one seaman of the ship Lady Douglas have been committed for trial on a charge of killing Hassan, a Malay seaman, on the voyage from Shark 'Bay, Western Australia, to London. The defence was that Hassan by certain actions had imperilled the safety of the ship.

The Comte de Auny, French Consulgeneral in Egypt, threatens to demand his passport unless the Khedive promptly appoints a French successor to Judge Sarzeakd.

The Ghilzais claim to have severely defeated the Ameer's troops on the 16th of May.

f i he Rev. W. G. Laws, a member of the New Guinea Mission, writes discouragingly to the Times of the prospects of the islands. He urges that a protectorate would suffice if Mr Douglas, the High Commissioner, was invested with full powers.

The Rossa faction are soliciting money for what they term a " pyrotechnic display for Jubilee Day."

June 2. Hanlan intends challenging Gaudaur to another match.

The Australian Mortgage, Land, and Finance Company will issue 20,000 shares, which will only be allotted amongst the present shareholders.

At a conference of the National Radical Union held at Birmingham, Mr Chamberlain said that the deruption of the Liberal party was irretrievable, and it would be essential to form and resist anarchy. Lord Hartington said that the separationist tactics were daily weakening the authority of Parliament, and Mr Bright scornfully referred to the existing dual leadership of Messrs Gladstone and Parnell.

The mail companies have consented to receive seaborne mails, carrying them all the way between Great Britain and Australia, It is considered probable that France and Italy, who are now receiving payment for the overland mails, will object.

A sensation has been caused by the discovery that important military information has been supplied to the French authorities by German officials who have since been arrested.

The Pope has ordained a high mass throughout England during the jubilee. Phylloxera has made its appearance in the Hungarian vineyards.

The hop crop in England is improving. The tithes agitation in Wales is extending. A slight disturbance occurred on Tuesday, when the crowd assaulted the officials, and the assistance of the police was called in to disperse the mob,

Lord Salisbury is arranging for resuming diplomatic negotiations between Great Britain and the Vatican.

It is doubtful whether the Great Powers will ratify the Convention between Great Britain and Turkey for the evacuation of Egypt. The refusal of any one Power will justify Great Britain in delaying the withdrawal.

At the meeting of the P. and O. Company Mr Sutherland regretted the decrease in the freight traffic, and said that the falling off was due to the competition of the foreign oompanies.

Sir Charles Dilke, in an article in the "Fortnightly Review," states that France cannot afford to trifle with the feelings of Australia, and advises her to buy safety in New Caledonia by rapidly yielding the New Hebrides ; or in default, Australia is likely to drive them out of the South Pacific. He also doubts whether the Dutch or Germans can long retain their territory in New Guinea.

The Queen of Hawaii has arrived on a visit to England.

Prince Bismarck has published a despatch disproving the statement of General Lefro in refence to German designs in France in 1875.

June 3.

The construction of the great canal to connect the Baltic Sea with the German Ocean has been commenced. The ceremony in connection with the starting was very brilliant. A Bulgarian loan has been aranged. The various Agents-general are co-opera t-

ing to have brilliant illuminations on the! Queen's jubilee.

June 4.

Mr Bobert Pudney has been appointed principal to the School of Agriculture, Melbourne.

The directors of the Mount Morgan West (Queensland) Company are to be prosecuted for issuing a false prospectus. A leading member of the Cardiff Liberal Association has notified Mr Gladstone that they disagree with the committee's address approving of Home Kule.

June 5,

Eussian news states that the Ameer of Afghanistan is marooning the garrisons of Balkli and Herat in order to oppose the advance of the Ghilzais.

In the United States Senate Mr Bayard declares that the parleying over the fisheries dispute is progressing favourably, and he admits the moderation and fairness of the action of the Marquis of Salisbury. An uneasy impression is felt that dynamite outrages will be committed during the jubilee celebrations, and great precautions are being taken by the authorities.

The operations of the continental sugar bounty system are proving disastrous to the sugar industry in England: It is announced that Schwartz's sugar refinery at Whitechapel is to be closed immediately in Consequence of these bounties.

The Colonial and Union Shipping Companies have decided to despatch monthly steamers to Sydney and New Zealand in opposition to the shipping ring.

June 6. New Zealand mutton is quoted at 4d to 4^d per lb.

The Italian Government are prepared to reduce the transit rates on letters from Australasia provided the colonial Governments agree to make a reciprocal reduction.

The Imperial Government propose to prohibit armed parties landing on British territory from foreign men-of-war, and also to restrict the number of warships entering fortified harbours; and stringent steps are to be taken to preserve sccresy as to strength of the armament of the various forts. The colonies are to be advised to act similarly.

Clasper, the well-known boatbuilder, has shipped two boats consigned to Trickett, of Sydney.

The troops of the Ameer, who are marching from Balkes and Herat against the Ghilzais, have effected a junction. Sir Henry Holland will probably reinstate Sir John Pope Hennessy, Governor of Mauritius.