(Special To Press Association,)

Otago Witness, Issue 1895, 16 March 1888, Page 13

(Special To Press Association,)

Lo>njdo^,- Inarch 6. It is reported that extensive frauds have been discovered in the Devonport dockyards, compromising all ranks of the employes. Three detectives are now making a thorough investigation into the matter, but it is not yet known whether the ordinary workmen are implicated in the frauds. It is asserted that a cumber of officers and men on the permanent staff are mixed up in dishonest practices which have been going on for a long time past, A number of copper workers have already been arrested for fraudulent practices. It is alleged that they have been in the habit of using Government material for private work, and that they perform this private Work during the hours in which the}- should have been engaged on Government work. March 7. Mr Wilfrid Blunt has been released from Galway Gaol. The tariff war between Italy and France is exciting great irritation in Italy, and the papers profess alarm at the movements of French troops on the frontier. March 8. The following is the text of the letter Avritten by her Majesty the Queen to the sister of the late General Gordon at the time of the lat tor's death, The letter is dated February 1883, and is published in Miss Gordon's book, "Memoirs of General Gordon" :—": — " I thought your dear noble brother served his country heroically. His example of self-sacrifice has proved edifying to the world. That he was not rescued, in the face of the promise of support made him, I have felt very deeply. I constantly pressed those who sent him to Khartoum to fulfil their promise and send him help in time. Their promise was not fulfilled, and I have experienced more grief than I can express. It has made me thoroughly ill. My heart bleeds, and I keenly feel the stain cast on England through his cruel fate. — Victoria." March i). Sir ¥. Dillon Bell, Agent-general for New Zealand, has no intention of resigning his position at present. March 10. The steamer City of Corinth has been sunk off Durgeness through coming into collision with the barque Tasmania. Twentynine lives were lost. March 11. The Prince and Princess of Wales received numerous presents on the occasion of their silver wedding. Several provincial deputations also conveyed congratulations to them. Her Majesty the Queen visited Marlborough House yesterday morning. Everything was conducted in a subdued manner, and the banquet was attended by members of the Royal family only.

The Times taunts the Prince of Wales with patronising cattle drovers and prize lighters. March 12. The shipbuilding trade is dull, and several failures are probable.

Kevere gales have been experienced in the English Channel and several of the Boulogne steamers narrowly escaped being wrecked near Folkestone. Telegraphic communication with the Continent is interrupted. Three of tho Brixton lifeboat crew were drowned in going off to the wreck of a vessel named the Syria.

The principal buildings in the city were illuminated in honour of the Prince of Wales' silver wedding. French exhibits at the Melbourne Exhibition will occupy 70,00()i't. A large number of pictures will be sent St. PLJTEItSBUIttt, March 11. News has been received here from Central Asia that the railway has been completed as far as Bokhara, and the first train has reached there. Rome, March i). The tariff war still continues in all its bitterness, the French military journals becoming most offensive in their tone, and in recent articles repeatedly insulting King Humbert and the Italian nation. March 10. His Holiness the Pope is indisposed. San Re.mo, March 7. The oflicial bulletin just issued states thai the condition of the Crown Prince is satisfactory, excepting the larynx, which has not improved under the latest treatment. Professor Waldemar, who has just concluded a most careful microscopic examination of expectoration from the throat of the Crown Pvince, differs from Professor Kausraall, the Strasburg specialist, and declares that the expectoration is free from any cancerous indication.

The Crown Prince will probably return to Weisbaden, a town oC Prussia much frequented for its mineral baths and mineral waters. There is still a difference of opinion amongst the doctois as to the malignity of the disease, but it is asserted that the Prince is much improved in condition.

Messrs J. and T. Meek will have the electric light fitted up in ttu-ir Crown flour mills, Oainaru, iv a few days. This is the first instance of its being used for mercantile purposes in the district.

In the Museum in New York is a chariot wheel, exhumed from a mummy pit ii".ir D.iobour, Egypt, by Doc. Abbot. The best authorities agree that' the wheel must have bi-eu in use some 20C0 ye*rs v.c. It is therefore the oldest wheel in tlie world. Those of an antiquarian turn of mind can inspect a (hawing of the above at tho American Carriage factory, Dee. street. liivercargill. \vh,ere they will find one' of the largest and most complete stocks ot rnrringes, both new and second-hand, at exceedingly low prices. Drawings aurt prices forwarded on application. Write.