CABLE TELEGRAMS.

Southland Times, Issue 1717, 21 March 1873, Page 3

CABLE TELEGRAMS.

London. March 5. Colonial wool has declined from a hi to 2d since the opening sales. Mr Helmuth Schwartze reports that 75,000 bales have been sold and 5000 wirhdrawn. Superior Victorian fleece and grease are quoted at 2d lower than at the December sales ; good Australian fleece 3d, superior 3d to 4d, and inferior grease 3d lower. The fall on greasy wool has been nearly 25 per cent, as compared with the sales in February, 1872. Messrs Guedella and Co., colonial brokers, have failed. The Bank of Australasia has declared a dividend of 10 per cent. Id the House of Commons, the Government, on the motion of Mr Samuel Plimsall, member for Derby, agreed to appoint a Eoyal commission to inquire into the condition of the mercantile marine, with a view to remedying certain evils complained of. Mr Plimsall's book, on the condition of merchant seamen, has produced an angry feeling amongst shipowners. The Hawaiian Government, under a reciprocity treaty, has ceded to America a jiaval station near Honolulu. March 7. Mr Jacomb reports of the wool sales that the market has been drooping from the opening, and that all descriptions of wool are lower — greasy, 2d to 3d as compared with the prices of February, 1872. There were 7300 bales withdrawn. Buyers are apathetic and foreign competition slender. An Australian pearl-fishing company hat been formed, with a capital of £42,000. On the Irish University Bill debate in the House of Commons, the majority of the speakers, including the Liberal members, condemned the measure, and the Press generally is adverse to the Bill. Arrived. — Hippolyta, from Melbourne. March 8 The Earl of Kimberley, in replying to a question put by the Earl of Lauderdale in the House of Lords, said that 12,000 Asbantees had invaded British territory, but the cause of such invasion was unknown. In the House of Commons, Lord E. Cecil moved a resolution that the colonies should contribute, according to their popu lation and wealth, towards the defence of the empire. This was opposed by Mr Fowler, Mr Knatchbull-Hngessen (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), and also by Mr Gladstone, upon which the motion was withdrawn. Government annuities have beea granted to the sisters of Lieut. Waghorn, K.N., the pioneer of the Suez route. Forged bills have been negotiated by the Bank of England, Rothschilds'; Beings', London and Westminster, and" Union Bank of London, and 8y German and Belgian banking firms. Warren has not yet been arretted, but his three ac complices are in custody. The exports for February were 23i millions, and the imports 27f millions. Wool has improved, and competition is better for descriptions of fleece and greasy. Combing sorts are slightly dearer. Paris, March 5. M. Thiers's speech in the Assembly confirms the statements of M. Dufaure, maintaining the Bordeaux pact. The preamble of the bill submitted by the Committee of Thirty has been voted. The Germans retain possession of Belfort until the whole of the indemnity money is paid. March 7. The Assembly has voted two clauses of the Constitutional Bill and referred it to the Committee of Thirty for amendment exempting Constitutional bills from the Presidental veto. March 8. The Assembly, with the concurrence of the Government, have voted an amendment exempting Constitutional bills from the Presidential veto. Madetd, March 5. The Carlists are overrunning Northern Spain, and a partial defection has taken place amongst the troops. March 6. The majority of the Assembly at Madrid oppose the Government Bill, ■uaperxJing ita sittings, and convoking a constituent Cortes, which will probably result in a Cabinet crisis. The oppoeition exasperates the Republicans. Washington, March 5. President Grant has delivered his inaugural me»sage. He expresses his belief that the whole civilised world is fast tending towards republicanism, and that Governments are not necessarily weakened by territorial intension. He further adds that he believes that God is preparing the world to become one great nation. "It would," the President says, "be his endeavor to civilise the Indian tribes, but if unsuccessful in that effort he would exterminate them." London, March 9. In the Assembly at Versailles, hostility has been shown towards the terms of the Anglo-French treaty. The Assembly at Madrid has voted by 186 against 19 the bill of the Government ordering the elections and convoking a constituent Cortes. The Federal Republic ha§ been proclaimed at Barcelona, and the excitement hat since been subsiding. The Califbrnian mail service has been discontinued. Arrived — Superb, from Melbourne : J. N. Fleming, from Port Chalmers ; Darra, from Adelaide; Hawkesbury, from Sydney ; Sir John Laurence, from Sydney ; Jaffra, from Adelaide. London, March 10. In the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone said that the Government would aik Parliament to vote a sum of money •>-in order- to present pieces of plate of the value of £1200 each to the Swiss, Italian, and Brazilian arbitrators, for the services rendered by them in connexion with the late arbitration proceedings at Geneva. The debate on the second reading ot the Irish University Bill is being proceeded

with. Me Vevnon Hnrcourt , Sir Dominic Corrigin, anil Mr Miall supported the bill i. r P'ieral!v, but o'lj^etert to the details of the measure Mr Smith. Eight Hon. J. T. Ball, Mr Conn -.11 v, Mr KhWrhas--1 setr, Mr Bi.'i'Unck. Viscount Newport, and iff f?crn;il Osborne oppose.) the bill. 11." Car iwrll mule :i lonjj speerh in defence ol the Government proposal, and the debate was adjourned. The defeat of the Government on this question is exptcted. The civil service estimates have been introduced. They amount to £18,419 ; 695, being an increase of £414,625 on previous years. The Ashanteea contest the transfer of Elmed. Arrived — Jason, from Melbourne. M. Thiers it unwell.