Special.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1750, 12 August 1874, Page 2

Special.

London, August 3. New Zealand hemp sold at £7 10s. Arrived: Soukar, from Lyttelton.

The Latest

London, August 3. The Nubia left Galle for Australia on June 31, three days before her time. The Mediterranean Squadron has been ordered to B rcelnna.

It is explained that the German Squadron goes to protect German subjects. 'I he Agricultural Union have diaoontinned the strike-pay to men on strike.

Melbourne, August 5. Ministerial prospects are n't bright, and the Tbriff question is likely to prove troublesome.

A decree of nullity of marriage was granted in the case Bishop v. Bisliop. Over £4000 was netted at the last spring meeting of the Racing Club. At a meeting of the Tookey Company oppositionwasofferedtoany nerease in the cnpital at present, or to any m rtgage of the property that might have the effect of making shareholders liable to the JNew Zealand Government for their share of the proposed loan. The meeting adjourned to give time for consideration of the position of the company. Madame Goddard will shortly visit New Zealand.

JR edwood's horsos arrived yesterday in fine order. .<

Commercial

Flour, firmer. 1500 bags of New Zealand oats sold at ss. Hennessy's brandy, 5s 3d; in ca*e, 28s 3d. Sugars very dull. Sales in kerosene at Is sd.

SvDVEY. The Mikado sailed for San Francisco on Saturday. The brig Ellen Norn's has been lost on the coast of New Caledonia. , Crew saved. ''■'."

Melbourne, August 3. Markets dull—quarter and half. Sydney, August 4. Brandies very dull. Their high price is increasing the consumption of whiskey. Bulk ale steady, in better demand. Very little business in breadstuff's., Feeding grains not so firm.

, Adelaide, August 3. Flour, dull, £12 13s sales. Wheat, 5s 6|d, afloat.

Wellington, Thii day. At the evening sitting of the House, the Premier moved the second reading of the Immigration and Public Works Act. to give authority to borrow four millions, and made a statement regarding past loans, their application, how the prospective expenditure was apportioned amongst fhe various large undertakings in hand, and the indebtedness of the colony. He said when the four million loan was ra sed-the total indebtedness would be ten millions, of which six and a half millions .had been voted for railway purposes, one and a half million for immiaration purposes, 460,000 for North Island roads, £350 000 for waterworks on goldfields, £700,000 for land purchases, and £490,000 for telegraph extension, and other public works. Although a very large balance of loans already authorised had } not been \ raised, and though the wants of the country were not immediately necessitus, the Government thought it desirable for prudential reasons to secure the country against losses which might arise from depressions or the damaging fluctuations to w <ich the money market was liable from various causes.

Messrs. Fitzberbert and T. B. Gillies criticised the details of the Bill in a hostile spirit, though admitting that in principle the Bill was a prudent measure.

Mr. Beeves thought the Bill gave peculiar and novel powers that might be dangerous, and hoped it would not be pressed through that night. Messrs. J. E. Brown, Cuthbertson and the Premier defended the measure as being merely a repetition of previous legislation, and as prudent and necessary. Iv deference to the wishes of the minority the committal was deferred till next sitting.

The Licensing Bill kept the House busy until 3.30 a.m., when it was reported with amendments. Most of those proposed by 'Mr. For were rejected or voluntarily withdrawn as not likely to pass, such as those in rela'ion to barmaids, licensing clubs, and making the street front of public houses of open plain glass. The Premier withdrew the amending clause to facilitate the obtaining of licenses.