BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 34

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Pee Phess Association.) London, July 27 The "Investors' Review" states that the London and Westminster Bank, when trying to stop the issue of the Victorian loan, received for an answer that the Government must have the money, and that if the loan were not raised the colony would have 10 become a defaulter. Government extravagance, the " Review '' remarks, is the curse of the colony. Formerly it was the richest and most resourceful of all, and now it is one of the poorest and most debt-ridden. Its credit has tremendously depreciated, and until it repents its ways investors will touch no more of its securities. The article proceeds to severely attack New Zealand, whose debt has increased 350 per cent, while its population has only increased 150 per cent. It asserts that the taxation proposed by the Ballance Government is unjust to British owners, and will bear bitter fruit in the grim struggle that is coming. An article in "Blackwood's Magazine" says that New Zealand, Australian, and American meat forms one-third of the total consumption of London. The Pall Mall Gazette considers it unlikely that anything practical will come of Sir G. R. Dibbs' efforts to get colonial stocks opened to investment by trust fund. An Englishman and an American having a dispute as to their personal courage raced up the volcano of Colinia. Upon Hearing the crater an eruption burst out and both were killed. , „ L The total quantity of wheat and Hour afloat for the United Kingdom is 1,992,000 quarters, and for the Continent 792,000 quarters. The American visible supply of wheat is 30,900,000 bushels. The Prince of Wales has written to Sir Or. li. Dibbs congratulating him on his knighthood, and stating that he is sure he is in every way worthy of the honour. Sir G. R. Dibbs has discussed the question of the consolidation of colonial stocks with the Bank of England and the London and Westminster Bank. The authorities of both institutions gave very satisfying assurances that they had learned sufficient to constitute the basis of subsequent action. Viscount Sherbrooke is dead. July 28. The Times in its obituary notice of Lord Sherbrooke describes him as an extinct volcano, and says that if he had died in 1866 his loss would have been regarded as a public calamity. The press generally speaks in laudatory terms of his career. Owing to the cholera the United States has prohibited the introduction of French immigrants. A speculator named Kennedy murdered Page, a Philadelphia broker, over a business dispute, and then committed suicide in his office. Mr Chauncey Depew is about to visit England. A band of brigands attacked Peurpere, in Mexico, and looted the houses. The military attacked the marauders and killed four. The City of Paris has beaten the Atlantic record, doing the passage in five days 15 hours. It is annonnced that Mr Brennan ha 3 solved the problem of manufacturing torpedoes from a movable station. The British Medical Association has decided to admit women as members. Sir J. Vogel replies to the " Investors' Review " in a vigorous article, denouncing its comments on New Zealand as a pack of lies and the writer as a pestilent pessimist, who undervalues the resources of the colony, and who cannot see the advantages of a policy of constructing railways to open up difficult country. Sir J. Vogel said the losses sustained by companies are less than those that have been inflicted elsewhere, and, finally, that the colony is not liable for harbour board loans. Mr H. M. Stanley considers concerted action by the nations is the only way to suppress slavery, and condemns the An ti - slavery Society. The thermometer registers from 98deg to 104-deg in the shade in the United States. Many factories have had to suspend work ia consequence of the heat. The Dundee whaling expedition will cruise in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands, but •will make no attempt to explore the Antarctic Ocean. It is reported that H.M.S. Champion has left Honolulu with orders to seize Cornwallis Islauds, south-west of Hawaii, for the purpose of a cable station. The committee of the shareholders and depositors of the New Oriental Bank is unable to recommend its reconstruction. Mr Gladstone declines to listen to Mr Labouchere's suggestion that Home Rule should be postponed. Mr Cowen is willing to oppose Mr Morley should the latter have to seek re-election. The personalty of the late Duke of DevonBhire is sworn at under L 1,800,000. It is to be divided among the family, the bulk going to the present Duke. Upon a scrutiny of the voting at the Greenock election the result has been reversed, and Sir T. Sutherland (Unionist) has been declared elected by a majority of 55. Dr Collins, formerly attached to the Horse Guards, has been convicted of forging promissory notes for Ll5OO, and ordered to come up for sentence when calied upon. Sir R. Hamilton, Governor of Tasmania, in an article in the "Nineteenth Century" upon lending money to Australia, defends the colonies against the charges of corruption and wholesale misappropriation. " He admits, however, that an appreciable amount of the loans has been spent on works of no immediate necessity, and advises each colony to elect a standing committee without whose sanction no new railways shall be undertaken ; or, better still, to insist upon railways being made to pay their way. He believes there is great scope for a reduction in working expenses, and that the railway account 6hould constitute a distinct budget. Loans ought to be incurred in cases of works of magnitude. July 29. Sir C. Tupper is of opinion that the establishment of preferential duties within the British Empire may promote Freetrade all over the world. A gang of robbers in Warsaw murdered a family of six, stabbing the parents with knives and dashing the children's heads against the wall. The Vossiche Zeituug describes the English missionaries in German Africa as setting about their work with a Bible in one hand and a rille in the other, and demands their expulskn. New Zealand long-berried wheat is firmer at 345. Canterbury mutton, 4d per lb ; lamb, s^d ; beef, hindquarters, 3£d. The New Zealand hemp market is flat, and prices are unchanged. Of kauri gum there ii a small supply, but the demand is slow at an average decline of about ss. An English gentleman has purchased Althorpe library from Earl Spencer. The pur-

chaser intends to place the library in some suitable building, and will give the public access to it. Danish butter brings 110s per cwt. South Australian wheat is firmer at 355 ; Victorian steady at 345. New Zealand cheese is quoted at from 50s to 525. The Bradford wool market has a more hopeful appearance, and a fair amount of business has been done. Prices remain very firm. It is reported that the Marquis of Salisbury has assured the Portuguese Government that England will not interfere in the question of Portugal's foreign creditors. Wilson (salesman) and Lamb (cashier), of Messrs Reynolds, Gibson, and Co., Liverpool, who were convicted of embezzling the firm's money to the extent of L 150,000, have been sentenced to three and four years' imprisonment respectively. The cablegram published in The Times that a writ had been issued against Mr Munro, Agent-general for Victoria, claiming L 37,500, for calls due on shares held in the Real Estate Bank, Melbourne, created quite a sensation here. The Economist, discussing the Victorian Budget, asserts that Sir Graham Berry's increased duties, enhancing the cost of living, combined with the reduction of Government works, will probably prolong the depression in the colony, and it fears that a year hence the Budget Estimates will be a good deal falsified by facts. The year's profits of the Bank of New Zealand amount to L 60.000. A further dividend of 5 per cent, is declared, L 15,000 placed to the reserve fund, and LlB.OOO carried forward. Gardiner, of Standford street, has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment for cheating and assaulting girls whom he was preparing for a career on the music hall stage. The President and six judges of the Japanese Supreme Court have been accused of cardplaying and intriguing with dancing girls. A great scandal has been caused, and the Minister for Justice has resigned pending an inquiry. Lord Victor Cavendish was married yesterday to Margaret, eldest daughter of the Marquis of Lausdowne. The ceremony was pevformed at Westminster. The Duke of Devonshire and a brilliant company of dukes and duchesses were present. A circular is being distributed in France urging the cardinals to support Cardinal Rainpolla or Cardinal Gibbons at the next election for the papal chair, and to oppose any candidate favoured by the Triple Alliance. The Pall Mall Gazette thinks that Sir G. R. Dibbs' loyalty disagrees with his Republican speech at the Federal Convention. Dr Talmage, the well-known divine, who has been on a visit to Russia, had an interview with the Czar, whom he describes as genial and simple in his ways, and showing interest in religion exceeding that which he takes in politics. Dr Talmage considers that foreigners have been monstrously wrong in their judgment of the Czar. Wheat : Off-coast is selling at 335. The English wheat market is lifeless, while the Continental is steady, and the American declining. Forward business in Australasian cargoes is inactive. No Australasian cargoes are off the coast or in ports of call. July 31. It is stated that the butchers are substituting New Zealand lambs and sheep for English and Scotch, in consequence of the enormous profit to bo made out of them. The Agent-general for Victoria says that the statements made by the ' ' Investors' Review " refute themselves, and he denounces them as outrageous and untrue. He denies that he said that his colony must have money, or that the Government would have to make default to the public creditor. The Melbourne banks would have given the Government credit for a million at the time that the last loan was offered. The bankers and brokers disapprove of the new Victorian duties and increase in the postages and probate duly. They consider that it would be better to borrow and go in for severe retrenchment. The deficit will not affect stocks. They approve of the railway retrenchment and the absentee tax. August 2. The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Evans, has been knighted. The rebels now have complete possession of Venezuela. The Republicans in France have gained 100 seats in the provincial elections. The heat in New York is abating. Three hundred deaths have occurred from sunstroke. A report (not, however, confirmed) is current that a plot was organised to dynamite the public buildings at Versailles, France. Owing to the ravages of the cholera in Russia, Astrakhan and Baku are in a desolate condition, and commerce is at a standstill. The .discovery of America by Columbus in vessels supplied by sovereigns of Spain will be celebrated by a joint naval display in Spanish waters. The Russian pan-Slavists are plotting to secure General IgnatiofFs appointment as successor to M. de Giers, as a breach with Germany would be involved. Great Britain is urging the Canadiau Government to deepen the St. Lawrende canal sufficiently to give passage to gunboats. The cost is estimated at 2\ millions. Prince Bismarck, in his speech at Jena, asserted that Ministers were the sole cause of his expulsion from office, and that the Emperor was their mouthpiece. It is suggested that the dispute between the French and the Congo natives should be referred to arbitration. M. Kibot demands that the natives shall remove their frontier pc sts. A prisoner at Glasgow has confessed that he was employed to assist in the murders of Lords Leitrim and Mountmorris, and that he was the man who shot Carey at the Cape. The German Emperor on arriving at Cowes was met and conducted to Osborne by the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of York and Connaught, and Prince Christian. The Queen gave him a cordial welcome. There was a splendid display at Cowes by the yachting clubs. Pakis, July 28. The French authorities have given the Sultan of Morocco assurances that England will not have recourse to force. Their intention is to encourage the Sultan in his obstinacy, but that monarch is, however, extremely nervous. July 29. Four Anarchists have been sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment on charges of stealing dynamite cartridges. August 2. A syndicate of French capitalists have takeu over the concessions granted to the Panama Canal Company, along with the absots of the lattor, and the j.iuspixtus of a new company to carry on tiie undertaking will shortly be issued. Berlin, July 31. The wing of Heilizenberg Castle, in Baden, was destroyed by lire, whicu originated in the Princess Beatrice's bedroom. August 1. The fire in Heilizenberg Castle was caused by a maid accidentally igniting Princess Beatrice's bed curtains. The Princess escaped in her

nightdress without being burnt, and awoke the household. Princess Beatrice suffered great loss in jewels and clothing. Thousands of people welcomed Prince Bismarck on his arrival at Jena. The Prince, addressing the assemblage, declared he had sworn to defend a Protestant empire. It was out of the question to rule with the Catholic party as the chief factor. He advised his countrymen to prevent the absolutism of the Government by a bureaucracy, and asserted that he was determined to speak his mind on public matters whatever the consequences may be. The Duchess of Teck is seriously indisposed. Vienna, August 1. It is reported that cholera has spread to Austrian Galicia. , St. Petersburg, July 28. Cholera is abating in Persia, but it is .spreading rapidly in the interior of Russia, and has made its appearance in Warsaw. July 30. The cholera has appearel at Kharkoil and Trebizond. In consequence of the epidemic the fair at Nijni Novgorod will be closed at an early date. The report that a Russian expedition, under Captain Janoff, had started for Pamir is confirmed. • August 2. Fierce cholera riots have taken place at Tashkend, the chief town and military headquarters of Russian Turkestan. The military were called out to maintain order, and shot 65 of the rioters dead and wounded 22 others. Constantinople, July 30. Information has been received that 15,000 armed Albanians have surrounded Jacova, a town 67 miles E.N.E. from Scutari, on the White Drin. The Turkish Governor with five battalions of .troops and six batteries of artillery have gone to suppress the revolt. Sofia, July 27. Four of the prisoners recently condemned to death ou a charge of conspiracy have been executed. July 30. M. Stambuloff is publishing documents purchased for 30,000fr from Jacobsohn, a Russian dragoman, in Bucharest, gravely implicating the Russian Government in the attempt to murder Prince Ferdinand. Rome, July 28. Mount Etna is again in violent eruption. August 2. Mount Etua is again qviiet. Naples, July 30. It is reported that cholera has appeared at Malta. Tangier, July 27. Fifteen hundred Angherites are outside Tangier. July 30. The Moorish Court displays a defiant attitude towards the British Commissioners, and is preparing to receive the French mission with unprecedented honour. The Moors fired on the Spanish gunboat Pilar. The latter returned the fire and silenced that of the Moors. August 1, The rebels defeated the Sultan's troops, and many of_the latter are deserting and joining the former, who are marching on Tangier and burning villages en route. The European portion of the population are greatly alarmed. Zanzibar, July 27. Captain Bia, of the Katanga Company, has discovered a large lake between Nyangwe and Kourkeia. July 28. King Mwanga has escaped from the Catholics and rejoined the Protestant natives. The French bishop vainly urged the Catholics to continue the war against the Protestants. Capetown, August 2. The Franchise Bill, increasing the qualification to the occupation of property worth L 75, has passed both branches of the Legislature. Yokohama, July 30. Futile attempts have been made to assassinate Count Oakuma, the leader of the Japanese Progressist Party, and Viscount Kuo, Minister for Justice. Calcutta, July 29. Other tribes are joining the revolt of the Hazaras. A British force of 400 men has been ordered to proceed to Gomul Pass. Washington, July 28. Intense heat is being experienced throughout America. Fifty deaths are reported from sunstroke. At Chicago the hospitals are filled with patients suffering from sunstroke, and many thousands of labourers have been compelled to quit work owing to the heat. New York, July 30. Over 100 deaths from sunstroke are reported in New York. The trains have stopped running, and the severe heat decimated horses. Business is at a standstill. July 31. The Anarchists have invented a new infernal machine in the shape of a book, which, upon being inverted, explodes with great violence, and is calculated to cause enormous damage. Mr Watson, one of the Georgian members of the House of Representatives, accused the members and Speaker of legislating while drunk. Tbe statement was received with wild uproar and hisses. A committee was at once appointed to investigate the charge. The heat in New York is unexampled. On Friday the thermometer registered 107deg in the shade. Mail traffic is suspended. A hundred deaths from sunstroke are reported in Chicago alone, where there is a water famine.