CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1885, 6 January 1888, Page 13

CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Reuteb's Telegrams.)

London, December 26. The frozen meat cargo per Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's Coptic, which arrived at Plymouth on Saturday afternoon, has been examined and found in good condition. December 27. -The British Government have received an official assurance from the French Government that the evacuation of the New Hebrides will be completed within the time specified in the recently-concluded convention. The Admiralty has ordered the gunboat Stork and the new gunboat Lizard to prepare to join the Australian Squadron. These vessels are to replace the sailing vessels on the station.

December 29.

The recent decision of the Irish Land Commissioners to reduce all judicial rents to an extent averaging 14 per cent, has called forth bitter complaints from landlord and Unionist papers generally. The Nationalist journals, on the other hand, express dissatisfaction with the decision, declaring that the reductions are altogether inadequate.

The Grand Theatre, Islington, was destroyed by lire about midnight. No casualties occurred, as the fire took place after the close of the evening's performance.

Sir Morell Mackenzie is returning to London.

December 29. It is announced that the Queen will leave on a visit to Florence early in the spring.

A heavy snowfall has taken place on the Continent, extending as far south as Nice. Tallow and breadstuff are without alteration.

December 30.

Adelaide wheat (ex store) is unchanged at 34s (id; New Zealand wheat has advanced Is to Is 6d, and is now selling at 33s to 35s according to quality. Adelaide flour remains at 245. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 1,400,000 quarters; and for the Continent, 210,000 quarters. Australian Tallow. — Average quality is quoted at 24s for beef, and 24s 6'd for mutton.

Berlin, December 27.

His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince has refused to entertain the proposals made for the establishment of a regency in the event of the death of Emperor William.

St. Petbhsbuko, December 27.

The harsh measures resorted to in dealing with the students of the universities have given rise to a, strong feeling of popular discontent. His Imperial Majesty the Czar, in response to the appeal of the students, has ordered an inquiry to be held into their grievances.

December 27.

It is understood his Majesty the Czar with the Imperial family will take up their residence in the Caucasus early in the spring.

Cairo, December 27.

News from Massowah reports that a strong force of Abyssinians is advancing rapidly to attack the Italian troops.

December 30.

Constant fighting is reported to have taken place in the vicinity of tjuakin between the rebels under Osman Digna and the f riendlies, in which the former were repulsed. Despite their losses, the rebels continue to make daily raids close to Suakin, and the warships of that station are compelled to keep up a cannonade to hold them in check.

New York, December 26.

The strike on the Philadelphia and Reading jailroad, consequent upon the refusal of the company to cease employing nonunionist workmen, has terminated. The dispute has been ended by arbitration. Kome, December 29.

In consequence of the advance of the forces of King John of Abyssinia upon .Massowah, orders have been issued here by the authoiities for GOOO troops to proceed at once to reinforce the garrison stationed there.

Constantinople, December 29.

Ismail Pasha, ex-Kliedive of Egypt, having obtained permission from the Sultan to take up his residence in Constantinople, arrived in this city to-day.

Paris, December 29

Lord Lytton, tlic newly-appointed British Ambassador, had an audience with the President to-day. In presenting his credentials Lord Lytton made a most cordial speech, in the course of which he stated her Majesty Queen Victoria would spare nothing to maintain the good relations at present existing between the two countries. The President (AT.; Sadi-Carnot) replied in the same spirit, and asserted that tae friendship of England and France was the best guarantee of the peace, liberty, and progress of both nations.

The time for receiving applications for cpace having been extended, the French Government have decided that France shall participate in the Melbourne Exhibition.^ The French Consul at Melbourne will be ap-* pointed commissioner-general, and the Minister for Colonies institutes a commission forthwith, he himself acting as president of the commission.

(Per Pbess Association.)

London, December 31

The wheat market has firmly maintained closing prices. English and foreign sorts show an- advance of 6d per quarter ; Californian cargoes in transit are quoted at 35s j Indian sorts are scarce; Russian and American are quoted at slightly over the Qurreirt rates j 496$n}ljft& 99!?sipi»enj;s °ft

the spot are quoted at 355, while one cargo in an iron ship for- prompt shipment has been sold for 34s 9d per .quarter. The flour market is hardening, but there is , very little of Australian sorts in hand. ' January 2. . The British revenue for the month shows a decrease of £430,000.

Mr Parnell has recovered from his recent illness, and will at once assume the active leadership of the Irish National party. Archbishop Walsh, of Dublin, who is at present in Eome, is' endeavouring to neutralise the mission .of the Duke of Norfolk as far as it concerns Irish affairs. Several papers state that Mr Gladstone intends to visit Eome for a similar purpose.

January 3.

H.M.S. Hercules (ironclad) has grounded at Ferrol, near Corunna, Spain, and is reported to be sinking. Renewed proposals which have been made respecting the Canadian-American fisheries dispute are likely to lead to an agreement being arrived at. It is believed that the Government intend to suppress the National League in the counties of Dublin and Meath.

Paris, December 31.

In the Chamber of Deputies to-day the New Hebrides question was discussed, when the deputy from St. Etienne expressed the opinion that the equal division of the islands between England and France was the only logical solution of the difficulty.

January 1. '<

M. Sadi-Carnofc, the President, had to-day an interview with the ambassadors in France representing various countries. In reply to their congratulations at his accession to the office of President, he expressed an earnest hope that the fears of a European war would soon pass away.

Zanzibar, December 30.

The Sultan of Zanzibar has ceded to the British and East African Association for 50 years the sovereign rights of 200 miles of the coast line, in order to facilitate the opening of trade to the interior of Africa.

Philadelphia, December 31.

The Knights of Labour Society have ordered the resumption of the strike on the Philadelphia and Reading Railway, but only a few are complying with the order, Buenos Aykes, December 31. ,

The meat bounties imposed by the Argentine Republic operate from to-day, and 400,000d0l will thus be distributed annually for three years to the largest exporters of sheep and cattle.

January 1. The meat export bounties fixed by ths Argentine Government vill amount annually to a quarter of a million dollars on cattle and beef, and SO.OOOdols on frozen mutton.

Hong Kong, December 30.

Intelligence has been. received from Amoy of a disastrous explosion of a magazine in that city. Several hundred lives were lost, and a quarter of the town destroyed.

(Social to Press Association.)

London, December 28.

Mr Gladstone, on his arrival at Dover, was hooted and snowballed. He addressed the assemblage, and said it was impossible to rely upon the present Government for the continuance of Freetrade. The Liberals, he argued, would not stand by and see the work of a century undone. Bubear ridicules the challenge he has received by cable from Ilanlan to row on the Thames for £500 and the championship of England, and for £500 a-side on the Tyne for the championship of the world, as if the championship were held by Hanlan. The Earl of Dunraven in a letter to the Daily Telegraph suggests that the House of Lords should consist of 100 members, elected from the peers of the realm. The Daily Telegraph is advocating a systematic emigration of unemployed and others to Western Australia.

December 28.

The Irish Land Commissioners have reduced all judicial rents by an average of 14 per cent., involving a reduction of £360,000 in rentals.

The P. and O. Company are building two steamers at Greenock for the Australian trade.

December 29. .

The Eoyal Humane Society have awarded a medal to George Deer, one of the crew of H.M.S. Nelson, for his gallantry in trying to save the life of Major Kobilliard when one ot the boats belonging to the Nelson capsized in a squall. The Morning Post considers that the decision of the Irish Land Commissioners to reduce the rents will render real property in Ireland practically unsaleable. Mr Gladstone in his speech at Dover strongly opposed Protection, which he thought had died 20 years ago, and he complained of the Marquis of Salisbury's ambiguous remarks on the question. Referring to the disturbed state of Europe, he trusted that England would abstain from interfering in any European quarrel, The copper ftyndioate in France is being bittorly opposed, and it has been suggested that the Government should prosecute the members of the syndicate for illegally conspiring.

December 30.

The presence o£ British and American war ships has been the means of preventing an outbreak among the natives at the Hawaiian Islands. The commanders of the vessels declared they would land a force of bluejackets if any revolt occurred. Mr T. Sexton, M.P. for Sligo South, is seriously ill, and his condition is considered to be critical.

M. Moureus states? that the statement re? specting the bombardtnpiif; of Eaiatea has not yefc received official YprjQcation, Le Temps says that if the bombardment actually took place tho object was to stop foreigners from smuggling.

January 2. In the course of a speech, Lord Salisbury said he hoped that diplomacy on the part of the Great Powers would be successful in averting war. He declared that Lord Churchill's visit to St. Petersburg was purely of a private character, and in no way recognised by the Government. Referring to the reduction in rentals recommended by the Irish Land Commissioners, he said that it would have the effect of alienating landlords. A quantity of. jewellery found, on a maa

named Taylor, arrested at Birmingham, has been identified as stolen from the premises of Mr Gourley> of Melbourne. Taylor was employed by Mr White, of Melbourne, and after the robbery eloped with his employer's wife.

The programme of the Australian Eleven includes two matches with All England, one each with the Players, the North of England, the South of England, and the Gentlemen.

The English team of footballers sail for the colonies in March.

The unemployed distress is very acute. Numerous cases of persons suffering from starvation are met with in the streets daily. Poorhouse relief is refused, the men demanding work and declining to submit to be treated as paupers. Many families are subsisting on gutter refuse.

The Wesleyan Conference is considering the Tongan persecutions. It was asserted that Sir Henry Holland was prepared to banish the Rev. Shirley Baker if so prompted. Mr John Mo'rley is now convalescent, and anticipates being able to accompany the Marquis of Ripon on a visit to Ireland shortly.

The Times to-day published an Australian centenary supplement, fully detailing the progress of the since early settlement. In conclusion, the article refers in glowing terms to the Australian future, prophesying that the country will be an important- factor among the nations before next bi-centenary.

Edwin Arnold, M.A., C.1.5., author of •• The Light of Asia," has been created a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire.

Dr Schraeber, head of the German New Guinea exploring expedition which left Hamburg last February, has published a report of the expedition, in which he states that the islands of the adjacent archipelago are a splendid possession.

The Daily News states that the French annexation of Wallis Island is the following out of the settled policy of acquiring stations in the Pacific.

Florence, January 2.

Mr Gladstone arrived in this city to-day from Paris. He met with a great ovation at the railway station, an enormous crowd demonstrating their respect. He was afterwards deputationised at his hotel by residents of the city, and addressed a crowd from the balcony in the Italian language.

Kingston (Jamaica), January 2.

A gale unprecedented in violence swept through the West Indies yesterday, causing immense damage to property and shipping. A schooner was capsized and 13 persons drowned, houses were denuded of their roofs, and trees levelled to the ground.

Madrid, January 1.

A deputation of Legitimists waited upon Don Carlos, and urged him to assert his rights to the French throne, but he refused, declaring that he would never abandon his claims to the throne of Spain.

Paris, January 1.

Mr Gladstone, who is on a visit to this city, stated in the course of an interview that he would retire from politics if it were not that he felt that so long as the liberties of Ireland were at stake it was his duty to assist the cause to the utmost. Referring to the New Hebrides difficulty, he said that theoretically the settlement seemed satisfactory, but to a logical mind the plan proposed appeared to be utterly unworkable.