BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Per Press Association.) London, August 8.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 9

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Per Press Association.) London, August 8.

The naval manoeuvres are still being carried out, and Admiral Filzroy is vigorously bombarding the ports along the west coast of Scotland. It has been decided to impose a heavy poll tax on the Chinese landing at Philippine Islands. B'ourteen thousand quarters of wheat were 6old, to arrive, at 35s 6d. Nine thousand four hundred quarters of Australian wheat (September shipment) have been sold at 37s 3d ; 5100 quarters of August shipments have been sold at 375. The market is now quieter. New Zealand cheese is at 525. Jackson, who murdered a Manchester Gaol warder, was hanged to-day. A railway collision occurred at Teddington to-day owing to a mistake made by a signalman. Six persons were killed and many others injured. The Government officials who carried out the recent evictions at Kilrush have been summoned for damages and trespass, as it is alleged that the evictions were illegal. In the Senate, the fisheries treaty entered into with Canada is being strongly opposed by Senator John Sherman, who declared that Canada should either be represented by the British Parliament or the American Senate — probably the latter. Mr Stephen has resigned the presidency of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company in order to take up his residence in England and represent the company there. Mr Varnhorne succeeds Mr Norton, who has retired from the New York board of directors. The strike among the navvies in France is to be referred to arbitration, aud the Parisian Municipal Coporation will act as arbitrators. August 9. Thirteen thousand quarters of wheat now shipping at Melbourne have been sold at 35s 9d. The naval manoeuvres are now proceeding off Liverpool. To-day H.M.S. Devastation and Invincible attacked the city, but were repulsed and captured by the defending force. A first pocket of the new English hop crop has been sold at £15 per cwt. Mr William Brown, an official of the Bureau of Agriculture, Canada, who is at present in this city, will leave shortly for Melbourne in order to compile a report on the exhibition, especially with reference to agricultural matters, for the Government of the Dominion. In the House of Commons to-day, Sir John Gorst, replying to Sir George Campbell, said that the New South Wales Chinese Restrictions Act provided for the legal redress of grievances, and indemnified Ministers for the action taken by the Government in the matter of refusing to allow the Chinese to land in that colony. The act was still subject to the Queen's approval, and would be most carefully considered by her Majesty's Advisers. The Government have appointed a committee to inquire into the best means of promoting State colonisation. The constituents of Mr Hugh Watt, member for Camlauhie (Glasgow), being dissatisfied with his action in Parliament, have called upon him to re&ign his seat. A commission has been appointed by the German Government Lo formulate a commercial treaty between Germany and Russia. Kioting among the tradespeople in Paris out on strike still continues, and the police; appear to be helpless to suppress it. During a Communist funeral to-day the troops were called out and charged the mob, wounding many. It is feared that a worse outbreak will occur. The report that a conference was to be held at Berlin to settle the Bulgarian difficulty is without foundation. It is bolievedj.that Ihe Czar has promised to assist Germany in the event of hostilities breaking out between that country and France. August 10. The total quantity of wheat and Hour afloat for the United Kingdom is 5),950,000 quarters, and for the Continent 352,000 quarters. The American visible supply of wheat is 23,000. bushels. In the naval manoeuvres off Liverpool the attacking squadron was under the command of. Admiral Tryon, who claims that the tactics employed would have resulted in the capture of that city. Sir W. Westbrook Burton ; aged 94. [Deceased was president of the Legislative Council of New South Wales from 1858 to 1861, aud was the author of a work entitled " the State of Religion and Education in New South Wales."] The chainmakers of Staffordshire and Worcestershire have struck for higher wages. It is alleged that they are at present paid staivation rates. Great distress prevails, and many are absolutely in want of food. Mr K. C." Graham, M.P. for Lanark, who has visited the district, describes the condition of the people as deplorable. He is of opinion that unless something is done to ameliorate their distressful condition the peace of the country will be menaced. The Wesleyan Conference have had a lengthy debate upon the expenses of mission stations in the Pacific. A resolution was carried affirming that, whilst the withdrawal of missionaries must be avoided, a policy avoiding the contraction of debts should be followed. Five men convicted of smuggling brandy into England from France were fined £5000 each. Cardinal Moran has arrived at Dublin from Rome, and was warmly welcomed by Archbishop Walsh. In the House of Commons Mr Smith announced that the Agency and Trustees' Liabilities Bill would be further considered &Uhe autumn session. I'he Affirmation in Lieu of Oaths Bill, which passed through the House of Lords, J>as been read a third time in the House of Commons. The Irish Drainage and Land Bill has been Postponed. The press comment on the suggestion of Sir Charles Diiko to adopt the Victorian factory Act, in order to prevent the system °f sweating which it is alleged is carried on «> a large extent in the city. The House of Cominonshas adopted the

Indian Budget. Sir John Gprst, replying to Sir R. Temple, denied the increase of the potency of the native element in India. The Select Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to inquire into the circumstances attending the promotion of the Hyderabad Mining and Railway Company and the manner in which its affairs have been conducted, report that the concessions obtained from the Nizam of Hyderabad are censurable in the highest degree. August 11. At Chatham to-day Earl North brook unveiled the statue erected in memory of Lieut. Waghorn. The French Canadians are strongly opposing. Imperial Federation. M. Vizetelly, of the firm of Vizetelly and Co., publishers, has been committed for trial for publishing indecent books of which Emile Zola was author. Mr H. Matthews, Home Secretary, has promised to make inquiries into the working of the First Offenders' Act adopted by the New Zealand Parliament with a view of a similar measure being introduced into the Imperial Parliament. A sculling match between Teemer and Gaudaur took place at Baltimore yesterday, when the former won rather easily. Tallow (best mutton) quoted at 25s 6d to 265 ; best beef, 22s 6d to 245. The stock on hand is 17,000 casks. Wheat market continues to improve, and this week shows a considerable advance in prices. Ex warehouse realises 37s to 37s 6d, and New Zealand long-berried is quoted at the same price. Off-coast cargoes are fetching from 35s 6d to- 365. The House of Commons has agreed to the amendments made by the House of Lords ifi the Local Government Bill. Mr Jas. J. O'Kelly, member for Roscoinmon North, who was arrested on a charge of inciting witnesses to refuse to give evidence under the Crimes Act, has been sentenced to four months' imprisonment. Counsel for defendant gave notice of appeal. Mr Henry William Cross, the Tory candidate for Liverpool, has been elected unopposed. It is reported that Denizulu, with 1000 followers, has entered the Transvaal. A Treasury Minister advises that the system) of perpetual pensions and sinecures should be abolished, and those existing commuted. The final report of the Education Commission has been issued. The majority recommend the extension of religious voluntary teaching, while the minority (including Dr .Dale) generally support the Australian system. In the case of the Mogul Steam Ship Company against a number of shipowners to recover damages for illegally combining to bribe China shippers not to ship by plaintiffs steamers, the Chief Justice held the action complained of was not unfair nor unlawful, and gave judgment for defendants. The Irish Catlr-lics announce that the conversion of a female member of the Royal family is imminent. The Local Government Bill has passed its final stages in the House of Lords. Eight thousand quarters of South Australian wheat, to arrive in September, have been sold at 375. The prospectus has been issued o£ the Colonjal Prospecting Company, with a capital of £25,000. The West Tokotea Gold Mining Company, of Auckland, has been registered. Capital, £150,000. The Champion Gold and Silver Mining Company, with a capital of £75,000, is now placed on the market. The Imperial Defedce Bill has passed through the House of Commons. Admiral Tryon bombarded and captured Holyhead. Folkestone shared a similar fate at the hands of another squadron. The project is revived for establishing Lutheran colonies on commercial principles in New Zealand. Severe rioting followed the evictions at White Gate, County Cork, to-day. The military were called out and charged the rioters, injuring many. They succeded in quelling the disturbance, and arrested 30 of the ringleaders. Berlin, August 8. The National Zeitung, in the course of an article on the subject, says that the result of the recent meeting of Emperors at Cronstadt has been to establish mutual confidence between Russia and Germany, and ensure the peace of Europe for years. The Nord Deutscber Zeitung says that France is responsible for the quarrel with Italy on Massowah, and that the pretexts advanced by the former are far fetched. The same journal remarks that France attaches little value to the desirableness of preserving the peace of Europe. Paris, August 8. The riots which have taken place at Amiens were the result of the weavers going out on strike. There has been a renewal' of rioting in the city. At the funeral of a leading Communist the mob became so demonstrative that the police were compelled to interfere. The officers were attacked and were compelled to draw Iheir swords and sabres and charge the mob. Order was not restored until the police used their pistols. Thirty persons were wounded in the conflict. It appears that the disturbance referred to in previous messages was caused by the "action of inflamed Communists, who were following the funeral of a leading member of that party. While the cortege was passing the police fetation a bomb was thrown at the building, bat fortunately it did not explode. The police made numerous arrests in their sortie on the mob, who cried : " Viva la Commune and the Revolution." Augnst 11 The police, assisted by the troops, have succeeded in restoring order in the city. M. Rochef ort has been fined 5000fr for publishing in his Parisian journal, L'lntransigeant, an article libelling M. Jules Ferry. M. Goblet has addressed a Circular Note to the Powers on the Massowah difficulty, in which he insists that the district has always been regarded as a portion of Egjptian tenitory. He denies the right of Italy to annex it. The Note further protests against the taxation of the Greeks and the seizure of Znlla, and threatens reprisals. Louise Michel, the French Communist, expresses her conviction that the strike amongst the trades people will become general

throughout France. She contends that the strikes have resulted from misery and starvation caused by avarice and tyranny of capitalists. Sofia, August 10. M. Zankoff is organising a revolt in Bulgaria. Constantinople, August 11. The Porte is annoyed at the annexation of Zulla. The Montenegrin brigands have released the captives recently taken at Bellova. The Austrian Government brought pressure to bear on Prince Nicholas of Montenegro, who despatched an armed force against the outlaws. Bombay, August 9. Mr Arthur Crawford, the official who was arrested on charges of bribery and corruption, has been acquitted. Calcutta, August 10. The Thibetans are rapidly massing at Gelapla and preparing to make an attack on the British position. The Lamas has disregarded all efforts of the Chinese Ambassadors at-Torsa to arrange a conference with British diplomatic agents for the settlement of the difficulty. Washington, August 8. The Senate has adopted the Chinese Prohibition Bill. Valparaiso, August 7. A terrible storm was experienced at this port yesterday. During the gale' seven vessels were driven ashore and completely wrecked. Two hundred persons were drowned and many severely injured. Great damage was also done in the city by the fury of the storm. St. Petersburg, August 12. The Russian Government insist on their demands for the deposition of Prince Ferdinand from the Bulgarian Throne and the exclusion of Prince Alexander from Bulgaria. After the normal situation had been restored Russia would be prepared to send a commissioner to Bulgaria to restore diplomatic relations, and would then accept a legally elected prince of the Orthodox Church. Hamburg, August 10. The Hamburg branch of theDeutsch Bank has united with other firms and founded a new line of steamers for the Australian trade. Two steamers are now in course of construction for them, and the new service will commence at the beginning of next year. San Jose (Costa Rica), August 10. Congress has ratified the concessions granted to the promoters of the Nicaragua canal.