MISCELLANEOUS.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11556, 17 February 1906, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

> fliondon, February 15. ! Sir H. O.;Bannennan, in a speeoh at tho National Liberal Club, criticising Unionists' tactics at the end of 1905, said they h&d proved a trap ; I for his opponents, and such ma- i jchinations had redounded lr> the benefit of .the Ministry, but had been attended with great inconvenience, the estimates having to be examined in circumstances of difficulty and high pressurel. The result, of the election, was not due to the swinf? of the pedulum, but to a revolt against a method of Government abhorrent to the conscience and heart of the nation. The Liberals had given protection its quietus. He anticipated a time of strenuous and fruitful action of benefit to the country. "The Times" eulogises : Ml" Deakin's dexterous leadership of his party in the Commonwealth Parliament, and also the output of the session, and hopes that Australian j legislators by common sense and sound political instincts will overcome the obstacles of immigration legislation, Which is vital and urgent. The "Daily Mail's" Berlin correspondent says that Germany's representatives at the Algeciras Conference demanded the right to police supervision of Moroccd hear Ceuta in order to neutralise Gibraltar. Bills have been introduced in the Legislature of Ontario and Colombia requiring mannfactarers of patent medicines to specify the ingredients, especially if of alcoholic strength. Earl Grey, addressing the McGill University, stated that one advertised medicine contained 40)£ per cent of alcohol. Six deaths from plague have occurred at Hongkong in a week. A Marconigram informed the" people of Iceland of the late King Christian's death. New York, Fbeniafy 15. The United States Senate at Washington, by 28 to 27 votes, passed the Shipping Bill promoted by Senator Jacob Gfillinger, creating a naval voluneer fleet and establishing American mail services to foreign markets. The American House has voted 600,000 dollars to fortify Hawaii and the Philippines. An earthquake, accompanied by a. rising sea, greatly damaged the Colombian coast, andjswallowed the Port of Boca Grande. Capetown, February 15. Three chiefs and. 500 natives in the Nidillovo district of Natal, have thanked Mr H. D. Winter, Secretary for Native Affairs, for his visit, and promised to pay the poll tax. The tension is relieved. Europeans in the vicinity had constructed laagers, fearing an attack. Morocco, February 15. A French syndicate has offered the Pretender to the Moroccan throne £40,000 and 70,000 rifles and ammunition in exchange for concessions on the coast betvyeen Melilla and the Algerian frontier, including the Hinterland. The syndicate urges the Pretender on receipt of the money and arms to march on Fez. The syndicate is trying to raise the money in Paris. Sydney, February IG. A fire has broken out at the Junction Mine, Broken Hill. A shot was fired at the 550 feet level, and it is supposed that a spark set fire to splintered timbers in a part of the mine where the *' creep" occurred nine years ago. Pungent smoke compelled the evacuation of the mine and penetrated the workings of the British Mine and stopped work. Strenuous efforts are being made to copo with the fire. Perth, February 16. Two deaths have occurred here from plague. Sir ¥. C. Burnand has retired from tho editorship of "Punch," and Mr Owen Seaman, M.A., assistant editor, has succeeded to the position.