CABLE MESSAGES. BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS. [PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3737, 19 May 1881, Page 2

CABLE MESSAGES. BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS. [PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

LOSS OF H.M.S. DOTEREL. 1 on don, May 16. Intelligence of the destruction of H.M.S. Doterel, 6 guns, 1137 tons, in the Straits of Magellan, at Sandy Point, on April 26, and the almost total loss of crow caused much regret. It is supposed that the boiler borat, and exploded the raag-azine, bat the official report from Commander Richard Evans, who was among 1 the saved, has not yet been received. ARREST OF JOHN DILLON, M.P. It is announced that John Dillon, member for Tipperary, who has been lodged in gaol on a charge of using seditious language, will resign his seat, in order that his constituents may not be deprived of representation in the House of Commons during his incarceration . EARTHQUAKE IN THESSALY. A smart shock of earthquake has been experienced at Volo, a seaport town in Thessaly, situated on the north side of the gulf of the same name. Much alarm is caused amoug the inhabitants of the district, who fear an other shock. THE PANAMA CANAL. The work of constructing the Panama canal, promoted by Baron De Lesseps, has been rapidly advanced. The first sod was turned on January Ist, 1881, and the completion of the cut of the canal, from the Atlantic to the Paci6c, has now been carried through. It is estimated that the work altogether will be finished in five or six years' time. ROYAL COMMISSION ON COLONIAL DEFENCE. A deputation from the British and Intercolonial Trade Tariff Union, consistintr of the Lord Mayor of London, Mr. VVestgarth and Mr. Sargood, waited on Earl Kimberley, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to-day, and laid before him a number of important suggestions affecting the joint interests of the Mother Country and the Colonies. Thedepntation suggested the enlarge, ment of the constitution, and scope of the Royal Commission appointed to in.

quire into an i report upon the defence of British possessions. It suggested the Commission should also enquire into the question of British andColoni.il commerce, taking evidence at all the importantcentresof population throughout the British dominions upon thu operation of the various tariffs in force. And the deputation further represented it desirable that the Imperial Government should learn the views of the inhabitants of the Colonies beforehand in all cases where treaties wore about to be entered into with foreign countries. The case of the treaty with the Chinese countries being specially referred to as one ou which th" opinion of the Colonies should have been heard, as the treaty was found to be a formidable obstacle in Australia, as tho Colonies had to legislate for the restriction of Chinese immigration. The question of establishing a Customs FJnion for the Colonies and Mother Country was also represented as one which the Commissiou should enquire into and report upon. WOOL SALES. London, May 17. At the wool auction to-day, 11,800 bales were offered, making a total of 64,500 bales catalogued. Since the opening, more demand has been experienced at a slight improvement in prices generally. GLADSTONE ILL AGAIN. The Kight Hon. W. Gladstone is again suffering from indisposition, and hah beeu ordered by his physicians to take rest from bis duties in Parliament, LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY'S REPORT. The New Zealaud Loan and Mercantile Agency reports as follows: — Wool sales progress, and prices remain 6rm up to date. 50,000 bales have been in demand on both German and Belgian account ; the French demand is moderate. Home buyers are not operating with spirit, but competition is increasing, and the market is firmer. Greasy and burry wools are neglected; medium and inferior greasy merino, lamb's wool in grease, and cross-bred (good quality, light in grease) have advanced |d. to Id. per lb.; coarse cross-bred and clothing washed : the market is easier ; combing washed : the market is unchanged ; long staple merino aud scoured : the market is firmer. SETTLEMENT OF GREEK FRONTIER QUESilOtf. CoNsrANTiNOPE, May 17. Owing to the representations made by the Ambassadors of the Powers, the Porte has withdrawu the conditions it had placed npon the proposfd cession of territory to Greece, and a convention between the Greek and Turkish Governments in final settlement of the frontier difficulty will, it is now understood, be signed without delay.