BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, December 20.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 17

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, December 20.

The Times authoritatively states that Sir Philip Currie has no intention of resigning the ambassadorship at Constantinople. Depositors to the amount of L 20.000 in the recently-amalgamated Melbourne banks, consisting of tbe Mercantile of Australia, Federal of Australia, City of Melbourne, and English and Australian Mortgage Banks, object to the directors of tbe new institution being appointed for life, also to the powers given them to borrow money and charge to the assets of the new corrpany without members' consent. Further, they object to the interest on debenture stock given to the old creditors of companies not being made a' fixed first , charge on the assets. They intend to bring these points before the Court-of Appsal and ask the co-operation of the other depositors: At the inqueßt on Terriss the jnry returned j a verdict of wilful murder against Archer. J Many witnesses testified to the murderer's i calmness at the time the deed was committed. At the coroner's inquest on the body of the French Anarchist Brosette, murdered at ' Locgacre, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Rivell, a fellow lodger of Brosette's. The Italian Chamber of Deputies, in a ; House of 394 members, by a majority of 16, rej-cted a motion of want of confidence in the Marquis Rudini, the Premier. j The Times says that- it is expeoted the Matqais Viconti Venosta, who was included as Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Marquis Rudini reconstructed his | Ministry to harmonise with the Liberal ' majority, will resign, as his party is against the Ministry. December 21. The United States and Canadian Ccinmisßioners to tbe Bebring Sea Conforencs have agreed on a settlement of the majority of the claims. The Daily Nsws states that the sum involved is likely to amount to a million dollar?. The War Office authorities arc making an urgent call fcr volunteers for the British rifle corps a.t Uganda. A meeting of the contributors to the London Hospital funds, initiated by tho Prince of Wales, was held yesterday, the Prince himself presiding. The meeting expressed, the desire that a permauonc hospital fund be ..established, and that riearcbing inquiries be .instituted, with the view of acquiring yrise" administration of the fund. The committee's... proposal to distribute among the larger.hospitals in London ■L22,C00* derived from annual subscriptions and L 38.000 from "the Bale of stamps was adopted. Princess Hohenlone, wife of the German Chancellor, is dead ; sged 68 years. Queen Victoria has expressed her condolences with the deceased's relatives. Mr William Terriss's funeral was the occasion of a phenomenal theatr!cal gathering at Brompton Cemetery. December 22. The committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club have recommended that Mr F. C. Lacey, of Cambridge University and Hampshire, be appointed secretary to the club in succession to Mr H. Perkins, who recently resigned.

The Duke of Orleans, head of the R >yal Hcuse ot France, in the course of a speech declared that France would some day find renewed prosperity under a constitutional liberal monarchy. He advise 3 monarchists for tbe present to support the authorities. The Times commenting on this speech, says it almost amounts to the abdication of the Dake's right?.

It is understood the Victorian Government have accepted the offer of the London and Westminster Bank to continue the inscription of Government stock at a reduced rate of L 250 per each' million worth of stock. This means a yearly eaying pf L 6093 csmpared'with the present -arrangements. The Marquis cf Lansdowne states that he has no desire to penalise tbe use of Australian leather at tha War Office. The regulations merely insisted that tbe leather required by the authorities should be British, and tanned with oak bark. Mr J. M. Sinclair, the Victorian superintendent ot the export of produce, while in Germany selected a technical staff for the Maffra Sugar Beet Company in Gippsland. All the members of the staff are from the most modern sugar beet factories. December 23. The indemnity paid to Great Britain by the United States in respect of tbe Behring Sea claim amounts to 8,570,000d01, with interest at the rate of 7 per cent, extending over a period of years. Canada has been officially informed that the indemnity payable by the United States in connection with the Behring Sea fisheries award is 464,000301.

December 24. Later reports show that the late Sir William Maxwell, Governor of the Gold Coast, was ill for a long time, and for some time was unable to walk fifty yards ; but ignored the advice to return to the coast, as he was anxious to finish his mission in connection with the settlement of native troubles in the Benin country.

W. R. Kenny, Solicitor-general for Ireland,

has been appointed to a vacant judgeship. ■ Mr D. P. Barton, mjember for Mid-Armagh, succeeds Mr Kenny.

December 26. Th« Union Company's new b.s. Rotoiti .was launched at Dumbarton on the 23rd irut. Germany is arranging to subsidise new Steamship lines to India. At the National Convention of the trades . tusions of Great Britain 160 unions will be 'Xepresented. Dense fo£i h»T« beta experienced in

London, and traffic has in consequence been considerably impeded.

Twro tribes have revolted against the Portuguese at Mossamedes, a seaport of West Africß, and 20 Portuguese were killed.

The Governor of Algeria is pressing the Chamber of Deputies to allot 1,250,000 francs to tbe relief of the famine in Algeria.

M. Hanotaux, Minister for Foreign Affairs, is endeavouring to promote an international conference for the neutralisation of the Newfoundland fishing banks.

The Cretan Assembly has published a protest against the injustice of the tribute they have been called upon to pay to Turkey.

The Anti-Sugar Bounty Le3gue, representing tbe Bngar-refiniog industry of Great Britain and the colonies, waited on the Government, urging them to assist in Luc abolition of the duties.

Mr J. G. Kofze, Chief Justice of the Transvaal, has icqaired of President Kruger why the promised measure revising the Constitution of the Republic is not forthcoming.

The Pope advises the Roman Catholics of Manitoba to accept the partial educitional concessions offered them by tbe Provincial Government if they are unable to obtain full justice.

The Dominion Government, at the request of Mr Chamberlain, have abandoned tbe proposed reduction in postal rates. Mr Chamberlain suggests that an International Postal Conference should be held to discuss the matter.

Dacember 27. Obituary : Charles Harrison, Liberal member for Plymouth ; celat 62.

A fire in Dixie street, Bethnal Green, burned to death Mrs Jarvis and nine children, whose ages ranged from 16 years to eight months. The unfortunate victims earned their living by making matches. Most of them were suffocated in their fcleep. A curious coincidence was that the father died from consumption in the hospital on the same day as the family perished.

Paris, December 21.

At the Panama Canal trial Boyer explained that he borrowed HOOOf from Arton. Marat denied the acceptance of any money from Arton.

December 27.

Ls Matin states that the British position at Boussa blocks the settlement of the West African qaestior, and advises France to yield there in order to keep a free hand in China.

/ Berlin, December 23,

Speaking afc Grandee z (Prussia), the Emperor expressed his gratification at seeing the forts of the Empire strengthened. The neighbour to the eastward was, he said, a dear, loyal friend holding the same political views.

December 24.

The negotiations which, have for some time hs?n proceeding b.ifcwxen the' United States and <jrjimscj' with a ?iew to ihe adopium of reciprocal taraT? between the tv/o countries have failed.

YiiiN^.a, December 21.

The Pan-Germanic agitation in Germany and the recent attacks made iv the Reichstag upon the policy of Austria are exciting the Viennese newspapers, which protest against the intervention of foreigners in the affairs of Austro-Hungary. December 22. Baron Banff/, the Hungarian Premier, has rejected the proposal to establish customs for Hungary independent of Austria.

The Committee of the Rdcharath have arracged the Austrian Imperial Budget for 189S upon the bisis of a surplus cf 53 million florins.

Dacember 23.

The Hungarian and Austrian Delegations have approved of the report of the committee on the Imperial Budget. Constantinople, December 22.

Foreign ambassadors here are preparing a new scheme of autonomy for Crete, which will provide for the appointment o[ a Christian Governor for a term of five year*, with power to fix the taxes, and also provide for the payment of an annual tribute to the Sultan.

Athens, Dacember 20.

The. Turkish and Grecian Governments have mutually released the prisoners taken during the late war.

December 24.

A bedy of Moslems at Heraklion, Crete, massacred 15 Christians belonging to a coast caravan.

December 26

Io is reported that a battery at Prevesa, a seaport of Albania, fired on the gunboat Actiutn. The Greek Ambassador at Constantinople has demanded an explanation from the Porte.

Cajbo, December 21. The sentence of 20 months' imprisonment recently passed on the editor of the vernacular paper Sika, published here, fur sedition has been reduced to six months.

Antwerp, December 20.

The steamer Larnaca has been detained here pending the settlement of a claim for 400.000f in connection with the collision and the sinking of the steamer Prince Albert de Belgique.

Copenhagen, December 27.

The Government have informed America that two European Powers are negotiating for the purchase of Danish West Indies.

Calcutta, December 21

The Indian Council intend to amend the sedition laws so as to provide for the punishment of promoters of ill-will amongst the popnlace. All newspaper?, native and foreign, will receive similar treatment.

December 22.

Lord Elgin strongly supports the proposal of the Indian Council for a reform of the sedition laws, and declares that recent events have proved the necessity cf amendment.

December 24.

The Berigal Chamber of Commerce is urging the adoption of a gold standard in India.

Tokio, December 27.

The Mikado, in a speech at the openiDg of the Japanese Diet; said the relations with all the Powers were of.a friendly character.

The Japanese Diet has been dissolved in order to divert a vote of no confidence in the Government.

Capetown, December 23.

Mr Cecil Rhodes is about to visit England with the object of arranging; for an issue of

a loan of a million on behalf of the South Africa Company.

Pretoria, December 20.

Tho Orange Free State has decided to grant naturalisation to tho burghers from the Transvaal, and the local Government have reciprocated.

Chicago, December 26.

The Coliseum, where an exhibition of manufactures is being held, was destroyed by fire. Daring the progress of the fire nine employees were killed and 40 injured. The damage amounts to 700,000d01.

Ottawa, December 20,

A Canadian cruiser rescued 13 of the crew of the American steamer Cleveland, which was wrecked at Barclay Sound, British Columbia.

December 23

The Farmers' Loan and Savings Society, Tsronto, has suspended payment. Depositors are not likely to receive more than CO per cent, cf their deposits.

December 24,

It is reported that 2000 people have left Dawson City for Port Yukon owing to the shortness of provisions and danger of starvation.

The number of departures from Dawson City has removed the danger from starvation.