BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, May 30,

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 21

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, May 30,

Sir Nicholas O'Conor, Ambassador at St. Petersburg, has been appointed Ambassador at Constantinople, in succession to Sir Philip Carrie: ' The death is announced of the Right Hon. Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart., P. 0.,; aged 89.

May 31. Obituary: Lord Playfair (best known as Sir Lyon Playfair) is dead. Lord Plajfair was one of Grest Britain's most distinguished, scientists. Having made a complete stndy of chemistry, "he began life as manager of a large calico-print works in Scotland, but in 1843 he removed to Manchester, and was appointed Professor of Chemistry in the Royal, Institution. From that time his advance was rapid, and he filled many important positions, ultimately becoming in 1858 Professor of Chemistry in the University of Edinburgh, where he numbered the Prince of Wales and Ft ince Alfred among bis pupils. He eat upon many important commissions, having fceen a member of that appointed to inquire into the cattle plague in Great Britain, and chairman of the Scottish Fisheries Commission "which lftid fcfae basis for the"~"mthdrfcwal of the legislative restrictions on sea fisheries. In 1874 tie was, as a Liberal, 'elected'' to represent the Universities of . Edinburgh and. St. Andrew in the House of Commons, and was Postmastergeneral during the last year of office of Mr Gladstone's first Ministry. At the general election of 1885 he was elected for the South Division of Leeds, and became Vice-president of the Council in the Gladstone Ministry of 1888. He continued to represent South Leeds until 1892, when he was raised to the peerage. Lord Pkyfair was the author of a number of scientific works.

For the year ended April 30 ths British purchases of produce in America were valued at £118,000,000. The British exports to America during the same period were valued at £17,000,000.

The Times states that ths Italian Govern.ment intend to suppress all Roman Catholic clubs and associations in Italy.

The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,527,000 quarters, and for the Continent 2,870,000 quarters. June 1.

A movement has been initiated to raise a national memorial to Mr Gladstone, and LSOOO has already been subscribed.

Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, in a letter to The Times, protests warmly against the suggestion that- Britain should surrender New Guinea to Germany in return for concessions elsewhere. He says it would be less disastrous to admit Germany's influence in affairs at Pretoria, or to surrender the British right of pre-emption at Delagoa Bay.

Mr Samuel Plimsoll, the father of shipping law reform; is seriously ill.

Obituary: Sir Robert Rawlinson, civil and sanitary engineer, and vice-president of the Society of Arts ; agad 89.

Jane 2. Wheat at Mark Lane is quoted Is to 2s lower for the week.

Daring the month of May the rainfall in Eagland, it is estimated, doubled tbe average. '

Shareholders in ths Westralian market trusts unanimously approved of at scheme for reconstruction. The Cape Government have ordered 10,000 Lee-Metfoi-d rifles, 15 field guns, and 10 Maxims.

Heavy snowstorms are reported in Bedfordshire, L&ncaahire, and Scotland.

Bryast and May, the well-known match manufacturers, have bean proceeded against for negiecticg to report cases o£ phosphorus poisoning. Their factory has been ordered to pay the full penalty imposed by the act. Eleven cases of poisoning were suppressed. June 3.

If a majority of the county cricket clubs prefer a request, the Marylebone Club is agreeable to Lord Hawke's suggestion that the Marylebone Club should control arrangements for test matches with Australian teams.

Mr Goschen, the First Lord of the Admiralty, has returned to London from a week's visit to Gibraltar.

The death is announced of Mr Saniusl Plimeoll.

[Samuel Plimsoll was barn at Bristol in 1824. -He successfully contested Derby in the Liberal interest in 1888, and sat .for that town till 18S0, when he gave up his seat to Sir W. V. Harcourt. Mr Plimsoll went into Parliament for the express purpose oiThelping ths sailors, and gave up bis seat for the 'same reason, thinking that a Cabinet Minister might be able to render better service to the sailors' causa than a private member could. Whilst in Parliament Mr Plimsoll was Instrumental in passing acts for the Amendment of-the Shipping Laws in 1871, 1873, 1875, and 1876. Mr Plimsoll publishedi^in 1872, "Our Seamen"; and has since written a sequel to it. In 1890 he published a work on "Cattle Ship 3." He accepted the -post of president of the National Amalgamated Sailors and Firemen's Union ot Great Britain and Ireland soon after that organisation was established in 1890, but afterwaids retired.] June i.

The Duke of Westminster - has been appointed chairman of the great movement in favour of a Gladstone memorial.

The synods of the United Presbyterian and Free Churches of Scotland have generally approved of the basis of the scheme for their union.

Lord Bragsey, speaking at an AngloAmerican banquet, held at the Hotel Cecil, said the colonies warmly supported a BritishAmerican union by bonds stronger than a formal treaty. The annual report of tbe New Zealand Trust and JLoan Company states that the profits amount to L 34.060. A dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, for the year has been declared, and LI 1,560 carried forward.

Sir Henry Norman, ex- Governor of Queensland, presided at a banquet of the London Colonial Club. Tha guests included Lord Brassey and Sir G F. Bowen. Replying on behalf of the colonies, Sir Horace Tozar, Agent-general for Queensland, said Australasia had the strongest desire for the closest association with Canada, especially by cable, which would result in the development of better business relations. He added that Mr Chamberlain had done more to win the confidence and affection of tbe colonies than all the statutes in existence. While the present policy was maintained there was no Eear of estrangement between Britain and the colonies. Sir H. Norman expressed a hose that the relations between Britain i.nd

America would be cemented. A special farewell toast to Sir Malcolm Fraeer, the retiring Agent-general for Westralis, was honoured. June 5. Mrs Green, widow of the eminent British historian, has been commissioned to write a History of England for the American public schools. Six hundred and fifty carcases of sheep that arrived from Townsville by the steamer Buteshire have been condemned as unfit for food. They were in a terribly, emaciated condition. The salesman alleged that they were diseased. An appeal is being made to Sir H. Tozer, as the sheep bear the Qaeensland Government brand.

PjiKIS, May 31. A French- American reciprocity treaty has been concluded. Both countries concede the minimum rates on certain products.

June 2, M. DeEChantl, a member of the Moderate party, has been elected President of the Chamber of Deputies by a majority of one vote ov«r M. Henri Btieson, the Government candidate and late President. A scene of uproar followed the declaration of the result, and M. Dsschanel has consented to a fre3h election. On a second ballot M. Daschanel was elected by a majority of four votes. Berlin, Jane 5. Tbe Emperor of China has conferred the Order of the Double Drsgon upon the Emperor William. Vienna, May 30 The Austro-Hangarian Government have deferred till September the introduction of bills giving effect to the Ausgleich, or arrangemsnt for directing a joint expenditure by Austria and Hungary. Baron Banffy, the Hungarian Premier, is endeavouring to secure the extension of the existing treaty.

Constantinople, June 1. Turkey has agreed to pay Russia L 300.000 of the Russo-Tarkish war indemnity loan in cash, and the balance in three annual iKßtidments.

Jam 5. Bulgaria has complained to the Porte that Turkish soldiers murdered 13 Bulgarians at Kasaova, and has demanded the recall of the Bali, or Turkish District Governor. St. Petersburg, Juna 5. Russia has decided to admit many imports duty free, and has reduced the duty on others. British shipbuilders and manufacturers of machinery and chemicals will chiefly benefit.

June 6. News has been received that 1000 Turcomans surprised a party of 300 Russian soldiers at Ferghana, in Asiatic Rtsssia. They killed 22, but were afterwards repulsed, sad the leaders captured. The Czar has since dismissed the military governor of the province. •

Rome, June 1. Marquis Rudini is constructing a colourless Cabinet. Leading politicians refuse to join him.

June 2. | The following portfolios in the Italian Cabinet have been allotted : — Premier and Minister of the Interior, Marquis Rudini;. Foreign Affairs, Signor Oepelli ; War, General San Marzano ; Marine, Admiral N. Cacavaro. Athens, June 1. The Tarkish evacuation of Thessaly is completed, and the Greeks have reocoupied the territory. June 3. The protest made by Greece against the cession of Malakahi and Gribono, on the Thessalian frontier, is delaying the evacuation of Thessaly by the Turkish troops. The Porte will hold Volo, Gritzovali, and Nezoros pending the settlement of the matter. Brussels, May 31. The Belgian elections resulted in a majority of 72 for the Catholic party. Oaieo, June 1. j Prince Henry of Orleans has abandoned j his proposed expedition up the Nile. Tehee an, June 1. Shah Mahomed, leader of the gang- which murdered Mr Graves, a telegraph official stationed in the country adjacent to the : Persian Gulf, has been executed. Pekin, May 31. Prince Kung, ex-President of the Chinese Council of Foreign Affairs, is dead. HONGKONG, May 30. The American mission at Funchau has I been burned by a mob. It is beiieved that' the missionaries succeeded iv escspujg. j Calcutta, Jane 3. | By a great fire at Peshawur 4000 houses ] were destroyed. Capetoavn, June 3. Lieutenant- general Goodenough, the officer commanding the military forces in South Africa, has sent an officer to report on the defences of Kimberley, Washington, Jane 3. The United States Government and officials understand that the Angle- American Commission will abolish all existing regulations controlling pelagic fishing in the Behring Sea. Ottawa, June 1. The Canadian Parliament will be asked to vote 'a quarter of a million dollars to defray the expenses of taking a plebiscite on the question of liquor prohibition.