BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1959, 10 September 1891, Page 30

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London, September 1. Twelve thousand miners at Wrexham and 25,000 at Chesterfield have struck, demanding weekly wages and eight hours a day. Owing to the enormous price of grain the London bakers have advanced the price of the quartern|loaf £d. Three months' bills are discounted at 2£ per cent. The Vienna grain market is firm, and fair prices are being realised. Official reports of the world's supply are optimistic. The surplus of wheat in AustroHungary is given as 4,000,000 quinfels. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Daily Chronicle states that railways leading from the frontier to the Baltic Sea are blocked with rye, but the officials are in receipt of secret orders to delay their transmission until the price has fallen. The condition of the peasantry in the western districts is reported to be terrible, and that several hundred million roubles will be required for relief purposes. The Times is publishing a series of articles on the resources of Australia. In a leader commenting on the facts disclosed in these articles, it says that the results have never been exceeded in the same space of time, and urges the colonies to take no heed of pessimists. 'Courage and enterprise have worked magic, and the colonies have established a marvellous record. Mr Francis Adams, an Australian journalist, in an article in the "Fortnightly Review " on " Social Life in Australia," says that native-born colonials are of a highstrung temperament, alternately displaying languor and activity, somewhat tainted with cruelty. He describes Melbourne as pagan, while convictism is not yet extinct in Sydney. He asserts that the Sydney Bulletin is a terror to the opulent class. Ten men were killed by the colliery explosion at Bedminster. The Russian military authorities are forming bicycle corps. Gales are raging in Ireland, and in some districts the crops are several feet under water. Lord Lansdowne's Irish tenants, who resisted payment of rent under the Plan ofCampaign, are asking for a settlement with the landlord. Mr ParnelTs demands include the release of the dynamiters. He made a violent speech against Sir W. V. Harcourt. The Paris correspondent of The Times states that the Eussian Government have .received news that the mother of the Emperor of China is directing the anti-foreign movement with the object of expelling all Europeans from China. The dervishes are again making headway in some force in the Soudan. A body of them are approaching Saras. September 2. The total quantity of wheat and flour a&oat for the United Kingdom is 1,948,000 quarters, and for the Continent 2,544,000 quarters. By a fire in some stables at Ayr nine racehorses were burned to death. The Dockers Union invite the Trades Union Congress to support a State Board of Arbitration with equal representation of capital and labour. General Booth has sailed from Capetown for Australia. German experts consider that the small calibre of the magazine rifles will minimise the advantage of artillery in battle, and that it will be necessary to invent a new description of cannon. A warrant has been issued for the arrest Mr A. Senecal, superintendent of the Canadian Governmsnt printing department, on a charge of illegal practices in connection with the Government Printing and Stationery department. Several witnesses have testified befora the committee as to the corruption existing in the printing bureau. Mails are now carried from Japan to New York in 13 days. The Queen will pay a visit to the German Emperor at Stolzenfels, on the Ehine, next spring. She was entertained there by the King of Prussia in 1845. The head of one of the public departments in Paris has been arrested on a charge of stealing £40,000. The Argentine press are hostile to Baron Hirsch's project of settling refugee Jews in that country. September 3. The entire herd, of pedigree shorthorn cattle, the property of Mr Perkin Moore, of Cumberland, has been destroyed owing to their suffering from pleuro-pneumonia. It is intended to raise an Indian regiment to garrison Hong Kong. The Eev. C. H. Spurgeon has passed the acute stage of his disease. A Conference of the Chambers of Commerce is being held in Dublin. A resolution was passed favouring the expediency of arranging a close commercial union between England and the colonies. It is believed that a congress of all the Chambers of Commerce in the British Empire would conduce largely to this end. Sir Arthur Rollitt advocated a differential tariff in favour of the colonies. In the City Court to-day Patrick J. Foley, M.P. for Oonnemara, was summoned by the Wandsworth guardians for refusing to pay for the support of his wife, who is in the workhouse. The case was adjourned. New Zealand long-berried wheat firm at 45s 6d. Canterbury mutton, 4d per lb ; lamb, sid ; Wellington mutton, 3|d. Beef (hindquarters), 4|d. New Zealand hemp declining. Fair medium is quoted at L2l 10s per ton. South Australian wheat is steady at 45s 6d • Victorian firm at 455. ' In speaking on the question of commercial union between England and the colonies, at the Dublin Conferente, Sir A. Rollit admitted it would involve some sacrifice of freetrade; but he argued that federation upon a fiscal basis would strengthen the empire. The time had arrived when £they must protect their own interests. He denied that the motion was merely veiled Protection. The fiscal union of the empire was the problem of the day; cheapness was no longer the chief object. It is reported that a district governor in

Nicaragua and six of his men were killed in frustrating an attempt to release some prisoners. Mr Egan, U.S. Minister to Chili, will probably be recalled. The anniversary of the surrender of Napoleon at Sedan was observed throughout Germany witn unusual fervour. It is rumoured that Premier Stambouloff has been murdered, and that the fact is being kept quiet by the Government. September 4. The match between Qaudaur and Hanlan is off. The French Eepublic attains its majority to-day. Captain O'Shea contradicts the rumour of his engagement. i The reported assassination of Premier Stambouloff is officially denied. It is reported that the Emperor of Germany will shortly meet the Czar at Copenhagen. [ Sixteen blocks in Dallis city, Oregon, have been burnt. The damage is estimated at 1,000,000d01. It is reported that the Bank of Paris offered to raise a loan for Russia of £12,000,000 at 4 per cent. The Queen of Eoumania has been persuaded to part with Miss Varcaresco, who, it is understood, will enter a convent. Colonel Wissman, with 500 German troops and 1000 native porters, is about to leave Sandani for Lake Victoria Nyanza. He takes with him, in portable sections, a small steamer to navigate the lake. The Eussian peasants at Maiakoff refused to permit the destruction of some diseased cattle. A riot followed, and the Cossacks fired on the peasants, killing 17 and wounding many others. The estimated American visible supply of wheat is 25,056,000 bushels. The quantity afloat for the Continent; is considerably lower. The jute crop will be a third less than last year. September 5. In a eulogistic article on the Earl of Kin- i tore's journey from Port Darwin to Adelaide, j The Times states that young peers of good i physique and plenty of common sense make excellent Governors. Burkes " Colonial Gentry " has been | published. Tallow: Medium mutton, 275; beef, 25s 3a. The English wheat market has a down- j ward tendency, while the Continental is | declining and the American is changing a little for the worse. Forward business in Australasian ship- j ments shows a decline in values. The foreign arrivals are moderate. There are three vessels off the coast, but such cargoes are not meeting with ready sale. Colonial oats, fine quality, average 275. Beans, 35s 6d. Antimony, £41 to £42. The Times agrees with Lord Kintore that Chinese labour will be indispensable to develop the Northern Territory. September 6. Information has been received that during the recent riots of Chang-sha, in China, a Belgian priest and two Sisters of Mercy were murdered. A man named Rhodes, employed as a sorter in the London Post Offioe, has been arrested on a charge of stealing 2000 letters, from which he abstracted in the aggregate a sum of £20,000, as well as a large number of cheques and post office orders. Alexander Jacques, the faster, has completed 35 out of his allotted 50 days fast, and keeps very well. The Eev. C. H. Spurgeon, who had been gradually regaining strength from his^ recent severe illness, has suffered a relapse. In connection with the visit of the French fleet the Admiralty stopped the leave of the ciews on Her Majesty's ships at Spithead, and nearly provoked a mutiny. The position became very serious, but eventually the Admiralty yielded. The military manoeuvres of the Austrian and French soldiers in Vienna and Paris, respectively, show that smokeless powder will come into extensive use in the field. Balloons, telephones, and semaphores, which will revolutionise tactics, were also used. The Duke of Rutland has provisionally accepted the vacant portfolio as Postmastergeneral. The highwaymen who stuck up and robbed a train on the Southern Pacific line (U.S.) were overtaken after a long pursuit in Texas, and 13 of them killed in a fight. Two of the pursuers were killed. The money taken was recovered. The United States Government has recognised the Junta of Chili. The census shows that the wealth of the United States has increased by no less than one-third during the last decade. Sir A. Cartright's motion in the Canadian House of Commons in favour of returning to [ Freetrade was defeated by a majority of 21. Germany has repealed the regulations restricting the importation of American pork. The English warship at Valparaiso has been threatened by the Congressionalists. September 7. Siemens and Halske, electrical engineers, have submitted to the German Government a scheme for constructing eight lines, of a total length of 40 miles, of elevated electric railway in the sity and suburbs of Berlin. The cost is put down at 84 million marks. The Canadian wheat crop is exceeding the estimate. During the manoeuvres of French troops five soldiers died from sunstroke, and 50 others are suffering from the effects of the heat. Gunsbejg, a leading Russian Nihilist, has committed suicide in prison. The barque Philomene, which has arrived at Dunkirk from Australia, encountered some terrific storms on the voyage, during which oil was used with great success. It is alleged that the cause of the recent revolt in China was the conveyance of a Chinese infant foundling to the French convent.

There are indications that the Great Powers are preparing an ultimatum wifch respect to the Chinese difficulty. The members of tbe Canadian House of Commons are agitating for an increased allowance, and in support of their demand quote the salary of £500 which it is proposed to pay to the members of the Australian Federal Parliament.

The report that the Marquis of Salisbury had disallowed the Hong Kong ordinance forbidding shipping work on Sundays is denied. The English harvest is improving, and the wheat yield is favourable. The wool returns are also satisfactory. Early hops are inferior in quality, and will probably not realise more than from L 4 to L 5 12s per cwt. The later crops are, however, expected to be better. Favourable reports are received of the crops on the Continent. Danish' butter is 15s higher than at the same time last year, and the prospects of the New Zealand article are excellent. Much o the New Zealand cheese imported is being j retailed as American at Liverpool, realising the best prices as American. Wheat has fallen Is in the Mark Lane market. The quarter's imports show an increase in value of £1,420,000 and the exports a j decrease of £2,147,000. j Signor Foli, the well-known singer, has signed an engagement for Australia. King Leopold of Belgium threatens that if Lord Salisbury claims Katanga he will allow France to purchase the Congo Free i State. Mr Joseph Thomson, the explorer, has been recalled from Katanga. A Bussian loan of six hundred million francs (twenty-four millions sterling) has been arranged in France. j Just before an execution at St. Joseph, j Missouri, the priest handed the condemned man a revolver. He fired twice at himself withoHt serious effect and was carried bleeding and struggling to the scaffold, where the sentence was eventually carried into effect. The husband of the Queen of Hawaii is dead. The committee which was appointed by the Canadian Parliament to investigate the charge of selling Government positions against Mr Cochrane, M.P., admitted that he \ j proved he had restricted himself to selling places for the purpose of raising election funds, a practice which has prevailed in the Dominion for years. The Turkish Government has decided not to allow Jews to enter Palestine. j Bulgarians are alarmed at the demand of I the Russian press for intervention in Bulgaria by force. A Jewish dostor at Odessa is charged with inoculating rich Germans and Jews wifch an infectious skin disease at lOOsovs apiece for \ j the purpose of enabling 1 them to avoid con- ■ scription. Half a million soldiers are quartered on the Polish and western frontiers of Russia. Tbe English football team did not suffer a single defeat during their tour" in Cape Colony. The average price of wheat last week was the highest for eight years. The Standard urges that England should j not evacuate Egypt in the face of Turkish submission to Russia. The Irish tenants' defence fund has reached £22,500. Mr Gladstone, in a letter, expresses himself in favour of an increase in the number of labour members, but not of a labour party. Class parties, he says, make queer Parliaments. September 8. The French syndicate refuse to complete the loan of 4,000,000 francs which M. Mercier, Premier of Quebec, was negotiating on account of the Baie Chaleur railway expose. Mr John Burns, in an interview with a representative of the Gaulois, said England was rapidly accepting Socialism. European Governments dare not attempt to suppress the movement at the risk of being submerged by a general revolt. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent at Rome says the Italian Government has instructed its ambassador at Constantinople to support England. The Italian press hope a vigilant watch will be kept over Russia's intrigues in the East. Dublin, September 2. Tbe river Barrow, in Leinster, has overflowed its banks, and submerged thousands of^acres. Paris, September 5. During severe storms in the city several persons were drowned. The sewers being flooded caused thousands of rats to invade the houses. Vienna, September 2. | A heavy landslip in the Tyrol is creating an immense lake. September 3. Interviews are taking place between the Emperors of Germany and Austria and General yon Caprivi (German Chancellor) and Count Kalnoky (Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs). St. Petersburg, September 2. The export of horses from Eussia will probably be forbidden. A report is current that Russia proposes to exchange Bessarabia, a province of Southern Eussia, situated between the Pruth and the Dniester, for the Doboudscha, an extensive district of Roumania, on the Black Sea. September 3 Seven thousand Eussian Jews have left for England, the United States, and Australia. Jewish emigrants to Palestine are returning to Odessa in a destitute condition. Russia is purchasing Suez Canal bonds with a view of strengthening French influence, and is also immensely increasing the issue of paper rouble notes. The Russian military authorities are sending troops belonging to famine-stricken districts back to their homes in order to assist in lightening the burden of their destitute relatives. September 5. The Government will probably limit the rate of interest. Mr Arnold White, representative of Baron Hirsch, has had a satisfactory interview with the Czar relative to the Baron's proposals in connection with his compatriots. Sofia, September 3. By mutual agreement Servia and Bulgaria have withdrawn their troops from their respective frontiers. Constantinople, September 2. The Italian railway inspector who was kidnapped by brigands in Salonica has been released. The wife and son of a Greek advocate, who were kidnapped by brigands at Janina Epirno, European Turkey, were released on payment of £2000.

Bucharest, September 1. The dangerous illness of the Queen of Roumania is stated to be brought about owing to the trouble over Miss Varcaresco's betrothal to the Crown Prince. Pekin, September 3. Rioting has been renewed at Tchang Shai, and the missions and the whole of the foreign property have been burned. No [ lives were lost. In order to counteract the construction of the Siberian railway by Eussia, the Chinese Government has decided to extend the Tientsing-Taeping railway to the northern frontier. Bebne, September 5. Ifc is now explained that the proposal to erect an observatory on the top of Mont Blanc has been abandoned, as the proposers were unable to find a rock for the foundations. Madrid, September 5. In the collision between the Medina Campo and Madrid express trains no lives were lost, but many persons were injured. New York, September 1. A Russian cruiser fired on and captured an American sealer carrying on sealing in the Behring Sea. j September 2. Robbers stopped a train at Ogdensburg ' and stole £700. The sheriff is pursuing the I offenders with bloodhounds. September 3. Highwaymen boarded a train in Samuel, \ Texas, and, having exploded a dynamite cartridge in the train, plundered the carriages. During the excitement the robbers escaped in the direction of Mexico. The amount of their plunder is not known. Chicago, September 5, An explosion of 20 tons of dynamite at White Pigeon, in Michigan, destroyed a factory and killed six persons. San Fbancisco, September 7, The Royal Tar, from Sydney, has put in to San Francisco. The captain and the first officer died of ferer, and the crew are helpless with scurvy. - Ottawa, September 3. In the House of Commons to-day Sir J. Oartwright moved that the census returns showed Canada ought to revert to Freetrade, as Protection had been a complete failure and caused an exodus of the population to the United States. The Hon. G.Foster, Minis- | ter of Finance, defended the fiscal policy of the Government, and contended that the exodus was the result of the Liberals continually decrying Canada. September 5. The Hon. G. E. Foster, Minister of! Finance, is accused of corrnpt practice in subsidising the West Indian Steam Com- J pany. J September 7. The Committee of Inquiry recommend that Thomas M'Grevy be expelled from the House of Commons, but they have been unable to agree as to Sir H. Langevin's guilt. The inquiry into the charge of rendering fraudulent accounts against Schultz, the Lieutenant-governor of Manitoba, has been opened. Mexico, September 3. Mexican ranch proprietors are paying the expenses in connection with the experiments in Texas and elsewhere for producing rain. Port au Prince, September 6. There is a crisis impending in Hayti, and General Hippolite, the President, has strongly garrisoned the seaports.