CABLEGRAMS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1928, 2 November 1888, Page 14

CABLEGRAMS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Pee Peess Association.) London, October 22. The Admiralty propose to build four new ironclads and six cruisers. The coal owners in Yorkshire and Derbyshire resist the demand of the miners for an advance of wages. The Wales colliery owners have conceded an advance of 10 per cent, to the men. The syndicate of copper companies has signed an agreement extending the existing contracts for 10 years. Seven hundred thousand pounds in gold from outside markets and Paris have been shipped to Russia. The beetroot manufacturers of Saxony have passed a resolution condemning the Sugar Bounties Convention. The Lancashire miners having refused to arbitrate, the owners have yielded to their demands. Mr A. J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland, is visiting Dublin, where he is protected by an unusually strong escort. The mission of Mr H. M. Durind, Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, to Afghanistan, has been abandoned. The Emperor of Annam has ceded to the French the provinces of Hanoi, Haiphong, and Tourar. The Earl of Dufferin has been created a marquis. Sir E. Webster, Q.C., Attorney-general, in opening the case before the Times-Parnell Commission, promised that he would supply the amplest evidence respecting what are known as the forged letters, and would indicate the sources from whence the Commission would be able to elicit evidence as to the general charges. Referring to Mr Parnell's utterances in America, he said they were distinctly seditious, and it would be shown that the expenses of his tour were paid by the league. During his address he asserted that Ford cabled to Egan to prompt Parnell to issue the no-rent manifesto from Kilmainham Gaol, and that Egan agreed, stating that this was the only weapon they had left. The Attorneygeneral commented on the failure to produce the league's books of 1880 and 1881. He proposed to prove that the Central League paid its branches to carry out the boycotting system, and to commit outrages. He acquitted Davitt of being concerned in the agrarian outrages of 1881 and 1882. Egan's letter to James Carey suggesting that the latter should set to work forthwith was found in Carey's house. Referring to Mr Parnell's letters the Attorney-general said they had been purchased by The Times newspaper after the fullest test had satisfied the proprietors of that paper that they were genuine. The learned gentleman concluded by citing the numerous murders which had followed upon the strong speeches made by the members of the league inciting people to acts of outrage. Lords Brownlow and Pembroke are mentioned in connection with the succession to the Governorship of New South Wales. Six hundred thousand pounds of the new capital of the Bank of New Zealand has been subscribed. October 23. English wheat has suffered a further decline, the market showing increasing weakness. The Continental market is steady, and the American market firm. The American visible supply of wheat is 33,000,000 bushels. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,272,000 quarters, and for the Continent 628,000 quarters. Wool has advanced New Zealand beef, 3d to 4d. October 24. A lifebuoy marked " Trevelyan " has been found at Kollbure;, on the coast of South Africa. It is now considered certain that she was the vessel seen to founder off Cape L'Agulhas on June 3. Mrs Gordon Baillie was found guilty of the charges brought against her, and sentenced to five years' penal servitude. Her husband, Percival Frost, was also convicted, and sentenced to 18 months' hard labour. It came out during the trial of Percival Frost that his mother possessed a yearly income of £3000. The Shipping Ring disclaim any intention of raising freights. The Canadian Government are willing to grant a subsidy of £25,000 for a fortnightly Australian mail service, and £15,000 for a monthly one. Postmaster-general Raikes has expressed himself favourable to the delivery of mails at Vancouver instead of at San Francisco. Common salt for home use is selling at 9s per ton, and lump salt for export at 15s. The Duke of Westminster has been appointed lord-lieutenant of the new county of London. The Ameer of Afghanistan is proceeding to the district of Tashkurgan. Mr Pritchard Morgan has been elected for the Merthyr-Tydvil seat, vacant by the death of Mr Henry Richard. He secured a majority of 2200. October 26. Lord Brassey, addressing the Federation League at Edinburgh, said that Australia, being nearer to India than England, would be able to oiler effective support in the defence of India. The colonies were, he thought, entitled to a large share in the direction of the external affairs of the empire. The Scottish and Australian Mining Com pany have resolved that the miners shall not be permittted to control the collieries. Thirty thousand Yorkshire miners have gone out on strike. They demand higher wages. Australian mutton is quoted at 4|d ; New Zealand mutton, 4£d to sd. The interdiction of Sir Morell Mackenzie's book in Germany has been removed. The Porte has ratified the Suez Canal Convention. The Roumanian elections have resulted favourably to the Government. France has abandoned her intention of inspecting the Italian schools in Tunis. Macfcill, who was arrested on suspicion for the murder of a man named King on the Midland railway some time ago, has been acquitted. It is stated that Prince Bismarck is aiming to restore German prestige in Zanzibar by means of a united crusade against the slave trade by all the Powers interested in Africa.

It is rumoured that a Conference of the Powers has been convened to carry the proposal into effect. At a meeting of the New Zealand Land and Mortgage Agency Company it was decided to extend the operations of the company in the River Plate district. Corea, encouraged by Russia and America, is about to proclaim her independence of China. Cardinal Moran's recent speeches in Ireland are said to have been obnoxious to the Vatican. October 27. It is expected that Sir W. Jervois will succeed to the Governorship of Queensland, vacant by the death of the late Sir A. Musgrave. The title to be assumed by the Earl of Dufferin will be Marquis of Dufferin artii Ava. Traffic on the Suez Canal, which was blocked a week ago by a steamer grounding, has been resumed. Information has been received that the Akozais have submitted to Brigadier-general M'Queen, but the operations of the British force against the other branches of the Hizard tribes will be continued. Lieutenantcolonel Crnikshanks, of the Bengal staff corps, who was .wounded in an engagement with the Akozais on the 7th inst., has since succumbed to his wounds. Brigadier-general M'Queen's column occupied Trund without opposition. It is understood that Emperor William's j speeches at the Quirinal have greatly displeased the Pope. Le Moniteur, the organ of the Vatican, urges German Catholics to persist in their struggle to obtain denominational schools. Four thousand five hundred quarters of wheat, September shipment, were sold at 425. Tallow : Mutton, 30s 3d ; beef, 295. The English wheat market shows a change, and prices are a little better. The Continental market is firm, and the American market | tending upwards. Australian wheat (ex warehouse), 42s 6d. For cargoes of new crop sellers are asking 425; New Zealand long-berried has declined 6d, and is now quoted at 42s 6d ; Australian flour (ex store) is at 28s 6d ; New Zealand flour (ex store), 275. Fine samples of colonial oats are quoted at 21s per quarter. Standard silver, 43|; soft Spanish lead, £13 12s. Both are declining. An off-coast cargo of wheat has been sold at from 41s to 41s 6d. New Zealand hemp, £30 5s to £31 ; The Times, in an article on the condition of affairs in Ireland, says that the state of the country is a scource of trouble at the Vatican, where the attitude of the Irish priesthood is regarded as rebellious. October 29. The colliers' strike is ended, the advance demanded by miners being agreed to by the owners. It is understood that Dr Moran .vill be created an Irish Archbishop at the first vacancy. Dr Higgins, of Meath, who was appointed coadjutor to Cardinal Moran, has been designated Bishop of Antiphellers (unattached to any particular See). He will not, however, have the right of succeeding the Cardinal in the event of his death or removal. The Pope condemns the insults levelled at the church by the Italian Government and their usurpation of the city of Rome, which he declares is destined to be the capital of the Roman Catholic world, The difficulty between Portugal and Morocco has been amicably settled. Lord Harris succeeds Lord Reay as Governor .of Bombay Presidency. Mr Pritchard Morgan was elected for Merthyr-Tydvil in defiance of Mr Gladstone's advice. The Right Hon. John Bright has suffered a relapse. New Yoek, October 27. The Canadian -Pacific Railway Company have posted a strongly manned and victualled train across the place where the Red River railway is about to cross the Canadian frontier. Manitoba is supporting the Red River Railway Company, and the authorities have called out the militia to quell any disturbance that may occur. October 28. Postmaster-general Villeas advocates a reduction of postage rates, and declares that it is an absurd system to pay more for letters than for newspapers. Washington, October 21. Congress was prorogued to-day. A measure has been passed excluding all Chinese labourers from the States, whether merely intending to pass through the country or otherwise. Caieo, October 24. News has been received that the White Pasha is driving the Dervishes northwards. PABfS, October 22. The Imperial German arms at the German Consulate at Havre have been defaced, and considerable ill-feeling has been aroused in consequence of the act. M. Goblet, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has, however, apologised to the German Minister for the outrage. The Government propose to introduce a bill providing for an income tax. M. Freyoinet, Minister of War, has informed the Budget Committee that one milliard francs will be required for the defence of the frontier. A heavy landslip on the Naples-Brindisi line of railway buried an excursion train. Ninety passengers were killed and fifty injured. October 24. The report of the Budget Committee states that coalitions abroad have stifled the liberty of Europe, and for safety and protection France will require more than a milliard of francs for defensive purposes. The committee appointed to consider the revision of the Constitution examined General Boulanger, but failed to elicit from him any particulars of the scheme he »has in view. M. Clemeneeau supports M. Floquet's scheme for a revision of the Constitution. It is feaied that a crisis is impending over the proposed income tax, the deputies being averse to the proposal. General Boulanger, in the course of a bitter speech in the Chamber, derided the Premier's Revision Bill, declaring that it was an insult to France, and constructed in defiance of public opinion. He urged the necessity of creating a National Republic, which

should unite all former parties and restore France to her proper place, and give her a mission among the nations. October 27. Latest reports regarding the landslip on the Naples-Brindisi railway line show that the first accounts were exaggerated. Nineteen passengers were killed, not 90 as at first reported, and 55 were injured. Beelin, October 21. The Emperor William is now at Potsdam. October 24. The Emperor visits Prince Bismarck at Friederichsruhe on Sunday. Drs Bergmann and Gebhardt dined with the Emperor yesterday. ■ October 29. The hitherto free ports of Hamburg and Bremin have joined the Customs Zollverein. St. Petebsbubg, October 29. A Nihilist, disguised as a Cossack officer, was arrested in the street just as the Czar appeared. Explosives were found in his possession. Belgbade, October 24. Theodosius, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Servia, has officially annulled the marriage of King Milan and Queen Natalie. Archbishop Theodosius says he only annulled the* marriage under pressure from King Milan. Queen Natalie repudiates the legality of the divorce. October 26. King, Milan has appointed a Special Commission to formulate a new Constitution for Servia, The King proposes radical reforms of the Constitution, the chief of which will be free elections.