NEWS BY CABLE.

Southland Times, Issue 14331, 27 April 1899, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

British and ForeignREMEMBERING OLD “NOLL.” HORRIFYING DOINGS IN GEORGIA. ANOTHER NEW EXPLOSIVE. THOSE WINE DUTIES. THS ADMIRALTY AND AUCKLAND’S WHITE ELEPHANT. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY THORN. DOMESTIC TRAGEDY IN TASMANIA. EGYPTIAN PAPER AGAIN IN FAVOUR. [United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] LONDON, April 25. The Noncomformists of Britain are celebrating the tercentenary of the birth of Oliver Cromwell. A statue of the Protector has been inaugurated , at Huntingdon, his birthplace. A negro has been burned in Georgia for outraging a woman. Wood was piled round him and soaked with kerosene. Two thousand people witnessed the burning. The crowd afterwards lynched a coloured preacher and another negro. Experiments have been made in Austria with an explosive produced from liquid air. It is claimed that it is tenfold more powerful than dynamite, and it is believed that it will be applicable, to firearms. The P. and O. Co have adopted stringent regulations, which will have the effect of limiting social intercourse between their officers and passengers. The Orient Steamship Company made a profit of L 45,047 during the year, which has been carried to the reserve fund.

Wheat at Mark Lane is firm; and sixpence dearer on the week. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is equal to 3,070,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,480,000 quarters. The Australian and N.Z. Mortgage Co’s per cent, debentures are at 78|. The House of Lords passed the second reading of the bill providing for the constitution of a board in connection with State secondary education.

A want of confidence motion in the Cape Parliament resulted in the Government securing a majority of nine votes.

Admiral Canevaro has informed the Italian Senate that France and Britain had assured the Italian Government that they will not at present or in the future interfere with affairs in Tripoli. April 26. Received 27th, 12.35 a.m. Colonial Agents-General had an interview lasting an hour with Sir M. Hicks-Beach relative to the duty on wines. The result is kept secret, but it is understood that the Chancellor replied on the lines of his answer to a question in the House of Commons and promised to consider the representations. There is an impression that nothing will be conceded this year. Mr Austin Chamberlain informed the House that the Imperial Government was subsidising the Auckland Harbour Board to the extent of L 2950 for thirty years, the Board constructing buildings for machinery, a deep water jetty and sheer legs ; the Admiralty to have priority of use of Calliope dock and machinery for the repair of warships. Sir John Lubbock, presiding at a meeting of the London Trust, said New Zealand’s action with regard to the Midland railway was injurious to the best interest of the colony and he hoped Mr Seddon would examine the matter. Received 27th, 12.40 a.m. A t the deputation to Sir M. Hicks-Beach Sir Andrew Clarke represented the grave injury the increase of duty would be to small wine-growers who were struggling to develop a new industry. He combatted the Chancellor’s idea that the impost was too trivial to decrease the consumption. It is believed that the question may be reconsidered in 1900. The stamp duties were not mentioned by the deputation. Fifty-five M.’sP., chiefly Unionists, have signed a memorial requesting that the colonies be exempted from the increase in the wine duties. Bordeaux experts believe the duties will not benefit Britain, instancing the fall in the exports when the American duties were raised and Mr Goschen’s renouncing a similar project in 1888.

Britain has ordered two first-class cruisers, to be built on the Clyde. An Egyptian irrigation trust loan of L 430,000 at 4 per cent, has been subscribed twenty-six fold. Two Chinese and three Europeans have been appointed directors of the Tientsin Chinkiang railway. Australian. . SYDNEY, April 26. The Rugby Union has fixed the dates forj tlie matches with the English team. A letter was read from the Auckland Union offering L4OO for two matches with the English team, but it was stated that the time at the disposal of the visitors would not admit of its acceptance of the offer. A Parliamentary Federal Bill Committee has been formed and twentyone members of the Legislative Assembly have joined it. MELBOURNE, April 26. Premier Turner, acting upon a suggestion of Mr Seddon, has cabled as follows to Mr Chamberlain, —“This Government urge the Imperial Government to conserve the interest of the Empire in Samoa.” HOBART, April 26.

A quarryman named Billinghurst attacked his wife with a tomahawk and then committed suicide by cutting his throat. The woman is dying. They had nine children.