BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1905, 25 May 1888, Page 13

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Per Press Association.) London, May 16. The improvement in the ships of the auxiliary squadron is due to the adoption of improved designs for the men-o'-war of Continental Powers. Mr Stanhope states that most of the guns required for the fleet are far advanced towards completion. Mr Labouchere accused the Soudan Contingent of being guilty of misconduct. Lord Charles Beresford warmly defended them, declaring that they wore splendid soldiers, and that their discipline was excellent. Colonel Bridgman and Captain Price said that the behaviour of the contingent was admirable. An Australian wheat cargo of GOOO quarters (June shipment) has been sold at 34s 4£d, and two cargoes of 2000 quarters and 1000 quarters each have, been sold at 83s. The Coptic's frozen meat is selling at from 4d to 4^cl per lb. A portion of the cargo arrived in a damaged condition. May 17. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,720,000 quarters, and for the Continent 484,000. The American visible supply of wheat is 29,250,00 bushels. The wool arrivals to date amount to 2G0.000 bales. The High Court of the Exchequer has decided that the increase of sentences in the recent cases of appeal brought by Irish members and others was quite legal. News has been received by mail that Benson, the noted forger, has committed suicide at New York. Bain prevented the cricket match at Oxford to-day between the Australian Eleven and Oxford University.' At a meeting of Parnellite members held at Dublin, resolutions were passer) affirming that the facts alleged in the decree of bis Holiness the Pope against the Plan of Campaign were without foundation, and that interference in politics did not come within the Pope's rights. May 18. Teemer has issued a challenge to Kemp to *ow him on the Nepean river for the championship of the world and 2500d01. _ The Under-secretary for Foreign Affairs, to replying to Mr William M(Arthur, said that the continuance of the Samoan Convention Was not desirable. , Professor Virchow, who has been examintog the matter discharged from the Emperor Frederick's throat, reports that the presence Of cancer is not revealed. , The Volksraad of the South African Re-

public (Transvaal) have adopted resolutions in favour of union with the new Republic, , subject, however, to the approval of the British Government. A resident of Paris has completed a scheme for bridging the English Channel from Dover to Calais. The cost, he estimates, will be £40,000,000, and the structure would be capable of carrying four lines of railway. An Australian wheat cargo of 8500 quarters (May shipment) has been sold at 345. A French syndicate are financing a Russian loan, to be placed on the market in autumn. May 19. Australian wheat is at 35s 6d ex warehouse, and 34s Gd ex ship. For cargoes of new crop sellers are asking the same prices. New Zealand long-berried, 34a to 34s 6d; flour, per 2801b, 255. Hides, best sides, 3fd. In the House of Commons last evening Sir James Fergusson, in reply to a question, said that the Government had declined to recognise the claims of Portugal to certain territory in Central Africa, or to comply with the request of the Portuguese Government that the free passage oii the Zambesi should be stopped. The Egyptian Government have confirmed their refusal to pay the holders of the Gordon bonds, which were given by the late General Gordon to enable him to provide the necessary funds for the defence of Khartoum. May 20. Liberal concessions have been granted by the Government to enable Mr Morgan to resume work in the gold mines recently discovered in Wales. The American yield of wheat for this winter is estimated at 27 per cent, below the average for previous years. Mr J. Dillon, M.P., addressing a public meeting at Dublin, declared that if the Papal decree was accepted by the populace, ninetenths of the Irish bishops and clergy ought to retire for having misled the people. The German Government aie about to take stringent steps to prevent any intimacy taking place between the residents of Alsace and Lorraine with France. May 21. The six days' walking match between Scott, of New Zealand, and Hibbard and Franks, of England, in which the competitors had to walk 12 hours a day, concluded last night. Scott won the match, covering 364 miles which is the best performance on record. Hibbard walked 337 miles, and Franks 319. Scott is arranging a match with Littlewood. Belgrade, May 20. The Emperor of Brazil, who has been on a visit to to King Milan, is now recovering from his recent severe illness. Constantinople, May 19. The Porte has approved of t'ae Suez Canal Convention. New York, May 19. Reports have been received that serious floods have been experienced in the neighbourhood of Quiney, a city of Illinois, owing to the Mississippi river having overflown its banks. One thousand acres of winter wheat have been devastated, and one hundred persons rendered homeless. Further particulars received of the floods at Quiney show that the embankments of the Mississippi river burst and flooded 200 square miles of country. Berlin, May 18. The Emperor's health is greatly improved. He spends most of the day in a tent in the Castle grounds at Charlottenburg. Barcelona, May 18. An exhibition of the arts and manufactures of 'the world was opened here to-day. Fifty men-o'-war, representing all nations, lying at anchor in the harbour, fired a salute on the occasion. Paris, May 17. It is reported that the Premier will move for the expulsion of General Boulanger from the Chamber of Deputies. (Special to Press association.) London, May 16. Earl Carnarvon has given notice of his intention to ask the Government whether they intend to restrict the entry of foreign cruisers into colonial harbours. The Morning Post, in referring to the subject, expresses the opinion that it will be difficult to see how the demands of the colonies can be refused without danger of England becoming engaged in conflict with them, which may have serious results. The Canadian Government are protesting against the reckless immigration of English paupers to Canada. May 17 The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, addressing a meeting at Battersea, said that Mr Gladstone's speech in reply to the address presented to him by Nonconformist clergymen was one of the most violent and least creditable ever uttered by that gentleman. He (Mr Balfour) asserted that Mr Gladstone had been gnilty of committing every offence of which he now charged the Government. A large number of crofters are emigrating to Canada. A series of skirmishes have taken place along the frontier between the Afghans and Turcomans. General Alikhanoff, who had been despatched to assist the Aberessed tribe, arrived after the conflict was over. May 18. In the House of Commons Sir John Gorst, replying to a question from Dr Tanner, M.P. for Cork, said that two of the charges preferred by Sir Frederick Napier Broome, Governor of Western Australia, against the Hon. A. C. Onslow, Chief Justice of that colony, had not been proved, and the third was of such a nature that it did not justify the action of the Government in suspending Mr Onslow. Berlin, May 20. It is stated that Germany meditates reprisals against France in consequence of the latter insulting Germans in crossing the French frontier. The Government intend to raise the duty en imports from Russia 50 per cent. St. Petersburg, May 20. The Government intend claiming an indemnity for the Russian subjects killed in the recent conflict on the Afghan frontier,' •and threaten to demand the dismissal of the Governor of Herat. Ottawa, May 19. The Marquis of Lansdowne, Governorgeneral of Canada, in leaving for England, promised to invite the attention of the

British Government to the question of the appointment of a conference to improve the trade relations between Australia and Canada. Rome, May 19. The Vatican expresses surprise at the recent manifesto of Catholic members of the Home Rule party, and declares that it is determined to enforce the terms of the decree. Vienna, May 19. The Austrian press condemn the utterances of Lord Wolseley in which he exposed the apparent weakness of the defences of England. Washington, May 19. The contest for the Presidency of the United States will probably be confined to President Cleveland and Mr J. Blame. The support of the Democrats will be accorded to the firstnamed gentleman.