BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 13

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

LONDON, December 18.

Mr Chamberlain has been invested with the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at the Dublin University.

December 19.

Tlie Daily News congratulates Mr Seddon o)i his brilliant victory, and advises him to strengthen the Ministry, and keep a tight control over the expenditure.

Louise Massett, a governess, living in London, has been sentenced to death for murdering her three and a-half year old illegitimate son. She told her friends that she intended to take the boy to his relations in France. The naked body was

subsequently found with its head battered in, hidden in a lavatory at the Dalston Junction railway station, North London.

Mr Noel Calvert, who went from the Geelong Grammar School to the Cambridge University, has been given a commission in the 6th Dragoons. Mr Calvert rowed No. 2 for Cambridge in the last Oxford and Cambridge boat race.

December 20

The London and Northern Bank, which at the commencement of this year took over the business of the Leeds Joint Stock Bank^ ha* suspended payment. The stoppage is attributed to defamatory attacks upon the institution.

December 21

The Prince of Wales, president of the English Commission for the Paris Exhibition, presided at the meeting held yesterday. The circumstance has created an excellent impression throughout France. December 22. Air Wason, a Radical, was ekctod in succession to Mr Balfour for Clackmannan.

The inquiry into tlie loss of the troopship Ismore, wrecked at St. Helena Bay, on the African coast, on December 4, has resulted in the captain's certificate being suspended for six months.

Colonel Sir Francis Wingate has been appointed Acting-Sirdar of Egypt during Lord Kitchener's absence.

Ihe steamer Duke of Westminster, from London to Brisbane, arrived at Aden with a fire aboard. The goods in the forehold were burned, and a portion of the cargo had to bo jettisoned. After the fire was extinguished- she resumed her voyage. December 24.

A Pullman train from Brighton came into collision during a fog with a Continental boat train from Xewhaven, which was standing at Wide'.sfield station, on the London-Brighton-South Coast railway. Four persons were killed, including the front guard of the Pullman train cind the rear guard of the N.ewhaven train. Twenty

persons were injured, mostly foreigners. A train was derailed on the Caledonian

railway at a curve on the line near Motherwell, Lanarkshire. The train descended an embankment, and was wrecked. Three persons were killed and 12 injured. PARIS, December 21.

M. Deroulede, the member of the Chamber of Deputies who is now being, tried on a charge of conspiracy, has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment for grossly insulting the High Court of the Senate. The prisoner's insolence was prompted by the judge refusing to recommence the proceedings in order to meet the convenience of Marcel Habert, who had been arrested on a similar charge.

December 22.

The Naval Committee of the Chamber of Deputies have adopted M. Lockroy's bill providing for the expending of 20 millions sterling on increasing the fleet and strengthening the defences. The bill thus becomes a Government measui-e.

CAIRO, December 25

The Khedive recorded,, his warm appreciation of Lord Kitchener's services, and regretted the severance of his connection with the army and country, adding that he cordially wished him, success in his new sphere. Lord Kitchener, in a farewell order, thanked the army for their oooperation. He expressed considerable pain at parting from them.

Colonel Sir Francis Wingate' s appointment as Acting-Sirdar is popular.

Colonel Wingate is to be appointed Sirdar and Governor-general of the Soudan in succession to Lord Kitchener.

NEW YORK, December 20.

Brigadier-general H. W. Lawton was killed in an action against the Filipinos at San Mateo, on the Island of Lugon. PEKIN, December 22.

Li Hung Chang has been appointed Viceroy of the Province of Kwangtreng, jn Southern China.