TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2806, 23 April 1895, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN,

London, April 18. The Hon. D. Gillies, Agent-General for Victoria, believes that the expenses of the agency for the current year will amount to about £2600, and that next year they will only reach about £2OOO, The Earl of Kimberley has wired to Mearajua declining that a commission be set up to enquire into the trouble there, and insists on the British ultimatum being agreed to. The racehorse Paris, from Sydney, has arrived in good condition. April 19. Oscar Wilde and Taylor have been committed for trial. The death is announced of Mr George Scharf, one of the directors of the National Art Gallery; aged 75. The marriage of the Duke of Aosta to Princess Helena, second daughter of the late Comte de Paris, takes place at Twickenham on June Bth. The election for the Oxford seat in the House of Commons, occasioned by the sudden death of Sir G. T. Chisney, resulted in the return of Viscount Valentine, the Conservative candidate, who defeated Dr Little, Liberal, by 602 votes. Rome, April 20.

After the visits of Cardinal Vaughan, Lord Halifax President of the English Church Union), and other ritualists to Rome, the Pope issued a long special Pastoral to the English people enjoining Catholics to pray for the re-union of the churches.Vienna, April 18. The earthquake shocks continue at Laibach. The population are undergoing terrible sufferings, and are half demented with terror. Ninety- eight per cent, of the houses are damaged or destroyed. Capetown, April 20, The Volksraad of the Orange Free State, have carried a motion in favor of conferring on the Transvaal relative federal union laws. Ottawa, April 18. The Earl of Aberdeen, at the opening of the Dominion Parliament, said that the passage of the Customs Bill by the Imperial Parliament proved that the British Government favourably entertained the proposals carried at the recent conference in Canada, and were satisfied that there was no need to delay the carrying out of the French commercial treaty. Washington, April 17. The American Government decline to interfere on behalf of Nicaragua. New York, April 19, The revolt in Cuba is spreading. AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Sydney, April 19. la the Assembly, upon consideration of the Berrigan Railway Bill, Mr Schey moved that the line be constructed on the butty gang system, similar to the co-operative works in New Zealand, After a long discussion the proposal was negatived by 53 to 23, after the Minister of Public Works had stated that he would not be bound by the system but would give it favourable consideration. The Council shelved the Governor’s Salary Bill for six months. The majority of the Assembly’s amendments in the Land Bill were accepted. A large public meeting in North Sydney resolved that it is imperative to appoint a Royal Commission to reopen the Dean case, and a committee was appointed to collect funds for the purpose of a further investigation. In the bowling match between the Waverley Club and the New Zealanders the latter were defeated by 77 to 59.

It 1b understood that the trouble on board 3.M.5. Ringarooma is owing to the doctor stating that a higher officer was mentally unfit to proceed to sea. The officer placed the doctor under arrest. April 20.

In the Assembly a motion was adopted in favour of the abolition of Judges’ pensions, and a Bill will be introduced to give effect to it. The Eingaroom’a officer, who was reported as unfit for duty, instead of submitting to authority, left the vessel and went on beard another warship. He was brought back and placed under arrest in his cabin. Admiral Bridge was communicated with, and ordered that an enquiry be held, the officer being provisionally released. Meanwhile further proceedings stand in abeyance till the Admiral returns on the 28th, and the ship will be detained at least ten days. Mrs Dean is seriously ill, suffering from paralysis, the after-effects of the poisoning. The Government have offered to place a detective at the disposal of the investigation committee, and render every assistance, to clear up the case. A deputation of Civil Servants waited on the Premier and asked that the administration of the superannuation fund and sole control of all appointments and promotions in the service be vested in a Board of Commissioners responsible to Parliament, and that the Government allow the Civil Servants to form a fund among themselves on commercial principles with Government assistance in the shape of 4 per cent, debentures. The deputation admitted that pensions would have to be reduced, but thought the proposed reductions were harsh. Mr Reid said that the superannuation fund was an inheritance from previous administrations, and was typical of the way iu which the finances of the colony had been managed. The state of the fund was a scandal and disgrace to the country. The matter was a serious one and would . have his careful consideration. The Government wore desirous of placing the fund on a bettor basis, He thought the deputation was pursuing a wise course in moving in the direction of a life insurance system. One groat difficulty in the way was that the majority in Parliament was opposed to pensions. Some serious changes would probably have to bo made in the Civil Service, but every individual would receive fair remuneration for his services, MEiniOUKXK, April Iff. From the assessment schedules already received the Premier believes that his estimated revenue of .t‘200,000 from the income tax will bo realised, April 20 The conference of Railway Commissioners have arrived at a basis of agreement for bringing to an end the tariff war which has boon going on in connection with traffic. The diff'oroutial rates affect-

ing trade are to be abolished in each colony, and a common mileage rate substituted. The profits are to bo pooled and divided periodically. Brisbane, April 20.

A house at Toowoomba occupied by King and family was burned down. King escaped, but on returning to rescue his wife and children was suffocated. The others escaped badly burned, and his wife is in a critical condition. Perth, April 20. Very rich stone has been struck at Lake View mine. The Great Boulder mine is opening up splendidly. Hobart, April 20. Mr Kirker, general manager of the South British Insurance Company, Auckland, has arrved to submit for confirmation by the directors the proposals for the purchase of the business of the Mutual Insurance Company of Tasmania. All risks are to be taken over.