A PRIZE WORTH WINNING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5057, 17 September 1894, Page 1

A PRIZE WORTH WINNING.

LONDON, Sept. 15. The Statist offers a prize of a thousand guineas for the best scheme for an Imperial Customs Union, and has asked Lord Rosebery and the Marquis of Salisbury to act as judges. . PHYLLOXERA. CAPETOWN, Sept. 15. The yearly output of wine for the colony haB decreased to 4,000,000 gallons, and the drop is attributed to the prevalence of phylloxera. A NOTABLE PURCHASE. It is reported that a syndicate has purchased Fort Delagoa Bay on behalf of the Transvaal, thus giving the latter a commanding position in South Africa, and bafliiog'the plans of Mr Cecil Rhodes. The purchasers, however, deny that they are acting for the Transvaal or anyone else. THE FIRST STEP. CALCUTTA, Sept. 18. It is suggested in Pponah that the Hindu manifesto and prominent Brahmins urge an outbreak against the Moslem* as the first step towards the overthrow of the British. MUNICIPAL CORRUPTION. NEW YORK, Sept 15. Father Ducetv writes to the newspapers in New York that he is watching on behalf of 'the Vatican Congress the inquiry into the corruption of various municipal authorities, and he adds that the Pope is afraid that the alleged connection of Catholics with Tammany Hall will endanger the reputation of the Church in America. THE ROYAL CLAIMANT. MADBID, Sept. 15. Spanish officials have sentenced Prince Francois, of the House of Bourbon, to two months' imprisonment for issuing a manifesto, while holding a Spanish generalship, claiming the French throne on the death oi the Comte de Paris. GERMANY AND SAMOA. BEELIN, Sept. 15. An inspired article in a Hamburg paper states that Germany is quite content to abide by the Samoan Act, and does not intend to raise any claims not compatible with thai; agreement, nor will she co-ooersto with

England to the exclusion of America. The latter^ it is contended, would be equivalent to an admission that Australia is interested in the future of Samoa, which Germany denies. THE COLONIES. LONDON, Sept. 16. The Statist desires to ccc the relations with the colonies placed on a lasting footing, with the view of inducing each to join a Zollverein. THE SLAVE-GIRL CASES. CAIBO, Sept. 16. Two of the Pashas charged with purchasing Soudanese slave girls were acquitted, and one was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Bri-gadier-General Kitchener has confirmed the sentence, but not the acquittal, holding thafc the latter was against the weight of evidence. Cherif Pasha will he tried separately, he alleging that he is an Italian subject. CYCLING. SYDNEY, Sbpt. 15. | At the bicycle carnival the Mile Championship of Australasia was won by Kerr, New South Wales j Brown, New South Wales, second. In the Mile Bicycle Championship, C. H. Jones, New Zealand, finished third. Eerr rode a splendid race, and won by thirty yards. Jones appeared to be unable to extend himßelf. Time — 2min 35sec. MELBOUBNE, Sbpt. 16. The Hundred-mile Bicycle Boad Bace was won by Baeson in cix hours 59sec. Eighteen of the competitors finished.