CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1956, 20 August 1891, Page 30

CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Per Press Association.)

London, August 11.

The name of the young lady found shot in a first-class railway carriage at Bedfordjs Leonora Mitchell. Despite her statement that she had been assailed by a young man, who she alleged escaped by the carriage window, it is believed that she attempted to commit suicide.

The Times discredits the report that Russia will prohibit the export of wheat, and believes that the order will apply only to rye.

The M'lver Steamship Company, for which three-quarters of a million capital was asked, has not been a success. The public subscribed only £40,000. M'lver'a £50,000 contracts are all said to be informal, and the money is being returned to subscribers.

Mr Balfour in his speech at Plymouth said the Tories had full confidence that the working classes would ultimately be on their side. He felt that if they could not persuade them that their best chance of justice lay in his party they might despair of politics. M. Constans has drafted a bill, to be introduced to the French Chamber of Deputies, granting pensions to workmen, and permitting the Government to lend money at 5 per cent, to farmers to enable them to tide over ruinous seasons.

At the request of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, the Admiralty some time ago ordered H.M.S. Garnet to search Good Success Bay for the purpose of ascertaining whether there was any truth in the story that a number of British sailors were detained there. The company thought the men might be part of the crews of the ships Marlborough or Dunedin, neither of which have been heard of since they left New Zealand at the beginning of last year. The Garnet accordingly visited the place, but reports that the search was fruitless. The sum of £2000 was recovered from Waterhouse, the absconder, who was arrested in London this week.

During the year 54,000,0000z of silver has been purchased by the United States Government under the new silver law, but even this has failed to maintain prices.

The United States Government has contracted for 100 high power guns at a cost of three and a half million dollars.

Hanlan and O'Connor have issued a challenge to row any two men in the world for £500 and the double sculling championship.

Russia is building two ironclads of 11,000 tons in the Baltic.

August 12.

Mr Balfour asserted at Plymouth that the alliance between the Tories and Unionists was now indissoluble. The differences that divided them before the Home Rule question was agitated were now forgotten.

A somewhat remarkable case is now before the law courts. A Miss Cooper, 25 years of age, accepted an invitation from her cousin, aged 20, to visit St. Paul's. A cab was procured, but instead of going to the cathedral the yonng man drove to St. Brides' and terrorised his companion into marrying him under a threat of committing suicide with a revolver. [The same day he deserted his wife upon finding that she had no money, and the lady is now suing to have the marriage declared null.

Sir H. Langevin, who has resigned his position on the Canadian Ministry on account of the revelations regarding corruption was examined by the committee of "inquiry and categorically denied the charges of corruption.

The Senate of Quebec is determined to sift the Baiechaluer railway scandal to the bottom, and refused permission to withdraw the bill now before Parliament of that province. The financial manager for the Hon. H. Mercier, Premier of Quebec, is charged with receiving lOO.OOOdoI. The Senate threatened to arrest all the principals concerned in the affair.

The firm of Tritse and Co., Paris, is insolvent. Rothschilds, who are sleeping partners, lose 2,000,000 florins.

The Grand Duke Alexis had a popular reception on making his first public appearance in Paris. The crowd cried out, " Vive la Russe I "

Russia has forbidden the proposed Polish pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Louis in Rome.

The Russian Government have assigned the sum of thirty million roubles with which to carry on the relief works and the purchase of, grain.

Prohibition of the export of rye is having a very serious effect on German and Austrian trade.

The Austrian Emperor cordially received the young King of Servia at Ischl. After a brief visit the latter joins his father at Munich, and the two then proceed to Paris.

There is much comment at the action of the King of Servia when in St. Petersburg, in refusing to receive a deputation from Bulgaria on the ground that the country is unfavourable to the Czar.

The Grand Duke Alexis forbade a display of French and Russian flags from his hotel in Paris, and refused an ovation at Vichy.

Switzerland stands out of the Customs Union.

The French Appeal Court has confirmed the sentence by which M. Turpin was ordered to pay a fine of £200 and undergo two years' imprisonment on a charge of selling the secret of his explosive melinite to W. Armstrong and Co., England. Mr Grover Cleveland, ex-President of the United States, who has been seriously ill, is improving.

' The mayor of Portsmouth has sent invitations to several members of the French Cabinet to attend a banquet to be given to the officers of the French squadron.

E. M'Oaffrey, one of the Invincibles who was found guilty of participation in the Phoenix Park murder and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, has been released from gaol. Mr T. Harrington, M.P., secretary of the National League, has announced that the funds are exhausted, and therefore the league are unable to continue their grants to evicted tenants. He alleges that seceders from the Pamell party are responsible for the position of the league. In his evidence before the Canadian Parliamentary Commission Bir H. Langevin swore that he never received any money from

M'Greevy, though he gave him promissory notes for 10,000dol for election expenses in 1876, being then without money. Those connected with the Indian native paper Bungabasti, which published an article headed " British Rule by Brute Force," have been committed for trial.

The Manipuris sentenced to transportation will be exiled at the Andaman Islands, a grcup in the south-east of the Bay of Bengal. The syndicate which Mr Jay Gould was organising to assist the Union Pacific Railway Company for three years has collapsed. General Booth received an immense ovation on his arrival at Capetown. The hot spell has set in at New York. The thermometer is 97 in the shade, and many people are prostrate from thG effects of the heat.

Miss Cooper's application to have her marriage with her cousin, into which she alleged she was terrorised, declared null and void, was refused. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,072,000 quarters, and for the Continent 2,592,000 quarters. The English wheat market is improving, and there is a general advance of 6d. Continental is firm, and American steady.

A further rise of 6d per quarter in English wheat is recorded. New Zealand and Australian have also risen 6d.

The estimated visible American supply is 23,800,000 bushels. Mr Parnell's friends intend to stump EngJand and Scotland in support of his leadership. Mr Holden, a Home Ruler, was elected for Walsall by a majority of 538 over Mr James, Unionist. [At the general election Sir C. Forster was retnrned unopposed in the Home Rule interest.] News from South America states that in July the rebel fleet appeared off Valparaiso and threatened the town. The British and German warships in harbour cleared for action, whereupon the insurgents withdrew. August 13.

At a meeting attended by 5000 persons of all classes and creeds at Capetown, resolutions were passed warmly endorsing General Booth's emigration scheme. Messrs Dillon and Justin M'Carthy propose to establish an evicted tenants' fond. There is angry and excited feeling on 'Change about the alleged loan secretly offered by New South Wales. The Financial Times states that leading jobbers formed a syndicate, and cabled direct to Sydney. The market is intensely hostile to the whole proceeding, and- New South Wales stock has dropped to 97. The Hygienic Congress has passed a resolution in favour of cremation, as the most rational means of disposing of the dead, especially in the case of contagious diseases and battle fields. The Government is to be urged to introduce legislation on the subject. Sir H. Langevin says his resignation is a matter of form, and he does not intend to retire from the Dominion Government.

Sir S. Samuel declares that no definite offer to take up a loan for New South Wales at 97 has been made, and the alarm of the brokers is therefore groundless. The general opinion in the city is that a public loan of a million and a halt would be readily taken up at 97.

Stocks have recovered to-day, the forward movement being due to a belief that the intention, if any existed, to effect a private issue has been abandoned. The sudden squall on the Exchange has now collapsed. August 14. New Zealand long-berried wheat is firmer at 42s 6d.

Wellington frozen v mutton, 3£d per lb ; Canterbury lamb, 4£<3. Quotations for beef are unchanged. New Zealand hemp, good average quality, is weaker at £24 per ton; Auckland, fair sample, £22 10s. South Australian wheat is firm at 43s 6d. Victorian is also firm at 42s 9d.

In a paper read before the Hygienic Congress to-day, it was stated that fully 19,000 deaths from cancer had taken place in England last year. The Marquis of Salisbury's costs having been paid, the court has annulled Mr O'Brien's bankruptcy. The Rev. O. H. Spurgeon is weaker, and refuses to partake of food. Owing to the explosion on board H.M.S. Cordelia, the Admiralty has ordered the withdrawal of work on sin guns as well as 6in guns. Nine persons were injured by the fall of the scaffolding of the Travellers' Club, Pall Mall.

Lord Lurgan has sold his estate in Armagh to the tenants for a quarter of a million sterling under the Lord Ashbourne Act. August 15.

The Chilian insurgents hailed with great enthusiasm the arrival of the vessel at Iquique which brought them 7000 rifles. All sealing vessels have been notified to leave Behring Sea.

The forest fires at Toulon, France, have been smothered.

The Geographical Conference now sitting at Berne, Switzerland, have passed a resolution expressing sympathy with Mr Stanley. The congress recommend the adoption of the English prime meridian. In a paper read at the Colonial Institute, Mr D. Morgan declared that it was uncertain when and by whom Australia was discovered.

Baron Hirsch has completed the purchase of land in the Argentine Bepublic for the settlement of Jewish refugees. The price is stated to be a million and a half sterling. He will probably arrange for further settlements in Asia Minor.

The Qaeen cabled to President Harrison a message of sympathy at the death of Mr Russell Lowell.

Dalziel's Agency states that England settles 6000 crofters, all naval reservists, at Vancouver, as the nucleus of a force in case of emergency in the Pacific.

August 16.

The Chilian Government steamer Errazuriz is coaling at St. Vincent, West Indies, and it is reported that she is awaiting the arrival of the French cruiser Pinto, which was run ashore at Toulon by a disloyal crew and subsequently floated off. Ten thousand workmen engaged in supply-

ing ocean colliers in South Wales, struck work for an improvement in their hours of labour.

Severe storms, accompanied by heavy floods, have been experienced in Lancashire. In some places the water rose to such a height that the mill fires were put out, and operations had to be suspended. The damage by water at Darwin is estimated at £14,000. The Ounard Company have entered into a contract for the construction of a steamer with a capacity of 12,000 tons, and capable of steaming 22 knots per hour. Tallow : Medium mutton, 275 ; beef, [25s 6d. Hides, 3|d to 3f d. New Zealand rabbitskins, fair to good, Is 7^d ; medium to Is. For New Zealand wheat on the passage sellers "are asking 40s 6d, but buyers refuse to give mere than 40s. Antimony is good at £42 to £43. The Standard hints that it was Treasury bills instead of stock which the New South Wales Government were about to issue on the market, and considers that this is going from bad to worse.

The Financial Times states that a reply from Sydney to the request of the brokers has not arrived, and that it is possible that the hubbub spoiled the game. It goes on to say that it is unwise to discredit the stock of a colony when seeking to render available the investment of trust moneys in colonial stocks.

The brokers who effected sales in anticipation ©f the completion of the transaction by New South Wales are enraged at the turn affairs have taken.

One hundred and eighty- five houses have been burned in the town of Podolsk, 10 miles south of Moscow, and five lives were lost.

The secretary of the United States Farmers' Alliance states that a large percentage of the members are holding back the wheat crop in pursuance of the policy advised by the leaders of the party. This season's lobster catch in Nova Scotia is immense.

The Viceroy of India has decided not to annex Manipur, Greater Britain advocates the emigration of Russian Jews to Australia.

A new daily anti-Parnell paper called the Irish News has been issued at Belfast.

Hanlan and O'Connor have made a match to row at New Westminster on September 23.

President Harrison supports the candidature of Mr Blame for the Presidency. The Republicans of Texas are also strongly in his favour.

Mr Backer, a New York broker and dry goods merchant, who recently failed, with liabilities amounting to 4,000,000d01, has been arrested on a charge of larceny.

News from Rome states that representatives there of Australian Roman Catholics are to elect a general of the Dominican Order which it is proposed to establish in the colonies.

Lady Macdonald, widow of the late Premier of Canada, is gazetted a baroness in her own right, but succession to the title of baron is confined to the male heirs of her late husband.

Baron Hirsch, with a view to settling Russian refugees, is making arrangements with the Porte for the lease of a large tract of land in Asia Minor at an annual rental jf ten million francs.

The official tests of the Sims-Edison torpedo at New York were completely successful. The missile was discharged, driven, and guided by electricity, and was kept nnder perfect control from the keyboard on shore. A speed of 20 miles an hour was attained. The English Admiralty has invited the inventors to give an exhibition.

August 17.

Mr Parnell, in addressing a meeting at Drogheda, asserted that although Mr Morley and Mr Gladstone, nine days before the verdict was delivered in the divorce case knew the result, they opposed his retirement from the leadership until kicked into it by the Nonconformist conscience.

Mr Maxim, the inventor of the well-known rapid firing gun, is reported to have invented a flying machine which will carry two tons at the rate of 90 miles an hour.

Twelve persons were killed and many injured by a railway collision in Berne, Switzerland, where the visitors' festival is being held. The train was shunting at Zollikofen in order to allow the Paris express to pass, when the latter came up and dashed into it.

By a railway collision at Pontypridd, in Wales, 15 persons were injured, and three of the cases are expected to prove fatal.

Later particulars of the railway accident at Pontypridd greatly increase the number of injured, 30 of whom are not expected to recover.

Forty-eight persons were injured by the railway accident at Zollifoken.

Mr Parnell has refused Mr Dillon's overtures to divert the funds in the hands of the Paris bankers to the aid of the evicted tenants. He . twits Mr Dillon with not having practised what he preached when he counselled the tradesmen of Tipperary to withdraw from Mr Smith Barry's houses, inasmuch as he (Mr Dillon) then asked him to advance £10C0 from the Paris funds to prevent his own house and furniture being sold.

The Socialist Congress, which is sitting in Brussels, represents 300,000 socialists on the Continent and in Great Britain. There are 362 delegates present. The London, Sheffield, and other large trades councils are represented.

The news of the massacre of the French expedition near Lake Tchad, is confirmed. A customs alliance between the States of Central Europe is postponed, the Swiss delegates being unable to agree to the conditions proposed. Two aeronauts, named Louis Pieroni and Macerata, were blown to sea in the Adriatic and drowned.

M. Pacaud, financial manager for Premier Mercier, of Quebec, who is alleged to have received the sum of 100,000dol in connection wit the Baie Chaleur railway scandal, has left Canada.

Three thousand workmen are parading the streets of Fourmiers, France, singing revolutionary songs. As serious trouble is expected, troops have been despatched to disperse them. The Vatican is not hostile to the German alliance, but it regrets that the Italian

Government are using means to hinder the solution of the Roman question.

The Congregation of Rites has decided that the "holy coat at Argenteuil (not the Argentine), a small town near Paris, is that of Jesus when a child, and that the coats of Treves and Argenteuil belong to different periods. Nearly 2,000,000 pilgrims are arranging to visit Treves. Thirty-four thousand pass every day through the cathedral where the holy relic is exhibited. August 18.

Mr Morley gives a flat contradiction to Mr Parnell's statement made at Drogheda that he, well knowing the verdict in the divorce case, opposed his resigning the leadership. The Times states that the outlook for farmers is very hopeful, and the prospect is better than for many years. It considers the Russian prohibition of the export of grain is mainly the cause for the improved position. The Times, in discussing the proposed scheme for the conversion of the debt of the Government of Uruguay, believes that it will involve a permanent reduction of the rate of interest to external bodies to 3£ per cent. The Marquis of Salisbury will not attend the banquet given at Portsmouth to the officers of the French fleet.

Owing to the parachute failing to open, a woman who was making a descent at Cincinnati fell 500 ft and was dashed to little bits.

A similar accident occurred at New York, where a parachutist fell into the water and was drowned.

Mr Forster, Secretary to the Treasury, in an interview with a Representative of the New York Herald, said that the United States Government had a reserve amounting to 100,000,000d0l in gold, besides another amount of some millions which is only to be drawn upon in case of grave emergency. Without the gold reserve, 107,000,000d0l were available. *

Details have been received from Chili of the capture of Pisagua by the insurgents, Of the force of 300 defending the town, only 25 were left alive. The residents were decimated by the shell fire. The insurgents carried off the Governor to sea and drowned him in revenge for his cruelties. PAKIS, August 12.

A fire, started by an incendiary, is raging in the forest on the south side of Toulon. One thousand soldiers are at work digging trenches to prevent it spreading, Five thousand acres of woods are involved in the conflagration.

August 13.

The King of Greece is on a visit to Paris. The Patriots' League organised an ovation in honour of the Grand Duke Alexis on his departure from Vichy. The Republican leaders are indignant at the effusive display towards Russia and the Grand Duke.

The Powers have addressed a fresh Note to China on the subject of the apparent disorder.

The forest fires round Toulon are still raging. The French Colonial department intend to organise another large expedition to Lake Tchad.

August 14.

The Mayor of Vichy welcomed Grand Duke Alexis as "High Admiral of the Brave Russian Fleet."

Russophile ovations in honor of the visit of Grand Duke Alexis continue throughout France.

August 15.

The more discreet Paris journals are attempting to check the Russophile ovations, as they are creating dangerous excitement. August 16.

Oounfc Munster, German Ambassador to France, repudiates responsibility for the revelation made by M. de Blowitz, The Times correspondent, regarding the downfall of Prince Bismarck, showing that so far from having been precipitately decided upon, the step had even been contemplated by Emperor William ,j. The despatch to The Times was the result of a conversation in March last between Count Munster and M. de Blowitz, which the former declares was published without his consent.

August 17. Sir Morell Mackenzie, M.D., in the course of an interview with a representative from the Gaulois newspaper, stated that the disease of the ear from which the Emperor of Germany is suffering is serious, but it is possible that his Majesty would live to an old age. He predicts that the reported accident to the Emperor is merely a stiff knee.

The yield of the French wheat crops shows a deficiency of 32,000,000 hectolitres. In consequence of this falling off the customs surtax has been suspended for one year.

August 18.

At a monster Franco-Russian meeting in this city, a resolution was carried protesting against the visit of the French fleet to England on the grounds of the Marquis of Salisbury's leaning towards the Triple Alliance. Berlin, August 11.

The Emperor has met with a serious accident to his knee. The exact nature of the accident is being hushed up, but he has found it necessary to cancel all his engagements.

Prince Bismarck's paper asserts that Turkey, at the instigation of France, has declined to endorse the treaty of 1887 regarding Egypt. The paper commends Lord Salisbury attitude.

August 12.

The Emperor is recovering from the effects of his accident and is able to dispense with the assistance of a stick.

The M'Kinley tariff is affecting the German trade in knitted goods and laces. August 15. The Emperor proposes attending the German and Austrian manoeuvres.

Vienna, August 12. The woman Schneider, who was arrested with her husband for decoying and murdering servant girls, attempted to commit suicide. Her recovery is hopeless. Ausust 13.

A wealthy merchant of Galicia, who was arrested on a charge of picking a lady's pocket at Mairenbad, a much-frequented Spa of Austria-Hungary, committed suicide by hanging himself.

Angnst 14.

In a house occupied by the Schneiders, who were-arrested on a charge of decoying and murdering servant girls, were found six trunks containing clothes that have been identified as belonging to missing domestics,

Sixteen girls have been lost during the past month.

August 15.

The Vienna press is urging the European Powers to take action to prevent Russia from forcing Turkey to permit the passage of Russian vessels through the Dardanelles.

August 18. Six hundred gendarmes and foresters, with bloodhounds, are searching the woods for the victims of the man and woman Schneider, in custody on a charge of murdering servant girls. In five days they succeeded in recovering the murdered bodies, oE three of the missing girls, and in cojfeequence of the discoveries the sensation is growing.

St. Petersbubg, August 14. The new naturalisation laws require a knowledge of the Russian language. Secret orders have been received at Moscow which will have the effect of expelling every Jew from Russia.

During a review of troops at Moscow, the Czarina ordered Jewish soldiers to withdraw, as their presence was offensive to her sight. The sale of the Parisian journals La Figaro and Le Matin has Been prohibited in Strasburg, owing to the reports published by them on the state of the health of the Emperor of Germany.

Angast 17. The Czarewitch received a great ovation at Moscow on his return from his eastern tour.

Constantinople, August 11. The Sultan is very indignant at the Marquis of Salisbury for postponing the conference respecting the British evacuation of Egypt.

August 12. It is reported that the Sultan will pay the ransom demanded by brigands for the two Frenchmen captured at Omourdja out of bis privy purse.

August 13. The Sultan has paid the ransom for the release of the Frenchman held by brigands. August^. The Turkish Government has decidM to despatoh several hundred soldiers to Crete to restore order.

It is rumoured that the recognition of Prince Ferdinand to the Bulgarian throne by the Porte will be officially denied.

Sofia, August 17. Prince Ferdinand has arrived at Rustchuk. He declares that Bulgaria hfes risen in the estimation of the rest of the world, and asserts that he has the full sympathy and friendship of the Emperor of Austria. M. Stambouloff; the Premier, declares that he is unable to stop the immigration of Jewish refugees because they are the victims of Russia's barbarous policy.

Brussels, August 17. The Socialist Congress at Brussels has refused admission to anarchists on the ground that the socialists desire to reform, noc to destroy, their constitution. Calcutta, August 14. Senaputi and the Tongal general were publicly hanged to-day.

August 18. The Indian Government recommend that a Government political officer be appointed to Manipur.

Fooohow, August 18. Serious floods have been experienced here and 1000 acres of land sown with rice have been submerged. Numerous houses have been washed away. The loss of life is serious. Eighty bodies have been already recovered. The loss in stock has aMo been great.

Washington, August 11. Several deaths from sunstroke are reported from various parts of the country.

August 12.

Hanlan and O'Connor will allow Australian oarsmen who may respond to the challenge for the double sculling championship £200 for expenses and guarantee them, if they wish, two single sculling races for £500 a-side.

The death is announced of the Hon. James Russell Lowell ; aged 72. [Lowell, James Euisell, LL.D., born at Cambridge: Massachusetts, February 22, 1819. He graduated at Harvard College in 1838, and studied law, but never practised. He commenced authorship before leavlog college by the publication of a claw poem. A volume of miscellaneous poems entitled "A Yeir's Life," appeared in 1841 ; a new collection containing a •' Legend of Brittany," " Prometheus," and others in 1844; "Conversations on some of the Old Poets," containing a series of well-studied criticisms, both in prose and verse, giving indications of Mr Lowell's interest in the various political and philanthropic questions of the day, and of his attachment to those principles of which he has since been the champion, in 1845; a third collection of poems, and "The Vision of Sir Launfal," founded on a legend of the learoh for the San Graal, la 1848 ; " A F&ble for Critics," ia which he satirically pastes in review the literati of the United States, and his most remarkable work, " The Biglow Papers." a colleotion of humorous poems on political subjects, written in the Yankee dialect, in 1848. A number of other works, chiefly poems, have appeared since. In 1855 he succeeded Longfellow as Professor of Modern Languages and Belles-Lettrea in Harvard College. The degree of LL D. was conferred upon hint in 1874 by the Bnglish University of Cambridge. JMom 1875 to 1862 he was editor of the " AtlantioTttonthly," and he had previously been oonnected editorially or otherwise with " The Pioneer," a magazine of high character, the " Anti-Slavery Standard," " Putnam's Monthly " ; and from 1863 to 1872 was editor of the "North American Be view." He has also been a lecturer before the Lowell Institute, in Boston, on the British poets. In 1874 he declined the offer of Minister to Bussia, but in 1877 he accepted that of Minister to Spain. In 1880 he was transferred to Great Britain, and held the position till the change of administration in 1885, when he returned to the States: His speeches while Minister in London have been republi shed.— "Men of the Time."J

August 15.

Mr J. G. Blame, Secretary of State, is improving in health. The Republican movement to nominate him for the Presidency is increasing. Owing to a blunder on the part of the architect, it has teen found necessary to relay the foundations of the Chicago World's Fair building at an estimated cost of a quarter of a million dollars. New York, August 13.

The deck of a pleasure barge in New York harbcur, upon which 800 excursionists were dancing, gave way owing to the supports being rotten. Eight women and children and two men were killed, and 30 others wounded. Ottawa, August 13. In cross-examination the testimony of Sir H. Langevin was not shaken.

An inquiry into the Baie-Chaleur railway scandal shows that the Legislature devoted 75,000 dcl to buy out the directors and 57,000d0l to pay M. Mercier's debtjL August 14. The Government have accepted a motion to the effect that the acceptance by Minis-

1 ter« of gifts from contractors and others is opposed to the common weal. SirH. Langevin has admitted asking Mr Peters, a contractor, and Mr M'Greevy for his election expenses. His examination has now closed, ■ and it is generally considered to have damaged his position. The Hon. Pierre Garneao, Commissioner of Public Works, Quebec, declined to give evidence before the committee respecting the alleged corrupt practices in connection with the Baie Ohaleur railway contracts. The Hon. A. J. Chapleau refused to produce the public accounts to the committee, whioh it is alleged would prove him to be as guilty as Sir H. Langevin in corrupt dealings with public works contracts. During the wrangle the Hon. J. G. Haggart, Postmaster-general, challenged Mr W. Mallock, a member of the House of Commons, to fight.

August 16. The contractor for the Baie Chaleur railway admitted that he paid the agent of M. Mercier, the Premier of Quebec, the sum of 115,000d0l for securing him subsidies in connection with the contract.

Mexico, August 12. The great volcano of Colima, 60 miles from this city, is in eruption. It is feared many people have been buried under the ashes. Buenos Aybes, August 13. The Senate has passed the National Bank Bill, and repealed the " moratorium." August 15. The Catholics in the Argentine Republic propose to exhibit a " holy coat" to-morrow, notwithstanding that His Holiness the Pope has declared that the "holy coat " at Treves is the only genuine one. Valpabaiso, August 17. Information has been received that the cruiser Esmeralda has destroyed the guano factories on Choros Islands.