BRITISH AND FOREIGN

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3339, 14 December 1883, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

[ByElectric Telegraph—Copyright.] [Reuter’s Agency.] [Received Dec. 13,1883,10 p,m.] MailsLondon, Dec. 12, The Australian mails per Orient steamship John Elder, dated Melbourne, Nov. 3, were delivered via Naples yesterday. Fire, The steamer Kent, outward bound from London to Melbourne, was found on arrival at Port Said to be on fire in the hold. The fire was extinguished soon after it was discovered. Some slight damage was done to the cargo. Shipping.

The Merchant Shipping and Under, writers’ Association, under date New York, December 12, report the arrival of the ship Parnell, from Auckland (left August 27.) Commercial.

Consols remain at and New Zealand securities at last quotations. The market rate of discount hae further risen to 2|, and is now a £ below the Bank rate. The markets for colonial breadstuffs and tallow are without quotable change. Copra (Sydney sun-dried) remains at £l9 10s. Australian leather —Best sides have fallen to lid. [Received Dec. 14, 1883, 0.55 a.m.] HurricaneA destructive hurricane of unprecedented violence passed over England to-day. Several persons were killed, and others seriously injured. A large amount of property was destroyed along the path of the storm. Election. The election to a vacancy in the representation of Ipswich in the House of Commons, resulted to-day in the return of Mr West. His opponent, Mr Chorley, was defeated by a large majority. Affairs in EgyptCairo, Dec. 12. The latest despatches to hand from the Soudan state that the Egyptian garrisons at Duem and Shat (sic) are being massed at Khartoum, with a view of repelling the attack which is expected to be made upon the town by the Arab rebels. It is also stated that El Mahdi is sending a force of 1000 men into the Darfonr district. [Special to Press Association.] London, Dec. 11.

The Marquis of Lome, speaking at the Colonial Institute, expressed a hope that the Australian colonies would federate, and he insisted that England must recognise the colonies as being the best judges of their own wants. Ho urged tho appointment of a Council of Envoys instead of a Federal Parliament, and eulogised tho activity of the Australian colonies in the matter of defences. Sir Alexander Galt suggested that English diplomatists might devote more attention to improving the commercial relations between the Mother Country and her colonies. H.R.H. the Duko of Albany was present, and there was a crowded audience.

Percy Robin, of Adelaide, a student of St. John’s College, Cambridge, has been awarded first prize for the Colonial Institute essay. Dec. 12. Signor Guiseppe Mario, tho celebrated tenor, is dead, aged 75 years. Mr Parnell has refused to coalesce with the Liberal party until they con-

sent to abandon the policy of coercion and emigration; The " Times” says that the accomplishment of Colonial Federation will tend powerfully to reduce the difficulties which surround the largo requisition of Imperial Federation. It is reported that a party of Eoyal Engineers will bo sent to fortify the town of Assouan, situated near the first cataract of the Nile, and guarding the approaches to Upper Egypt. The Egyptian garrison has abandoned Suikab (? Suakia), and a force of 15,000 rebels is stated to be holding the passes of the Soudan,

Applications for shares in the New Zealand Mortgage Company are in excess of the number open for allotment.