IN A NUTSHELL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6128, 15 March 1898, Page 2

IN A NUTSHELL.

Barometer falling. Mayoral "At Home" to-morrow, 3 to 6 p.m. Nominations for Heathcote Road Board due to-morrow. St Patrick Concert in the Opawa House, to-morrow night. Prime Canterbury lamb is selling in London at 5d per lb. Londbn and Paris connected by telephone, March 15, 1891. The Australian mail steamer reached the Bluff at 9.30 this morning. A total of .£25,000 is to be spent in improving the New Zealand defence system. . Irrigation to be discussed by the Agricultural and Pastoral Association tomorrow afternoon. . Mecca, the famous resort of pilgrims, has been placed in quarantine in connection with the black plague. In the Soudan, the British forces and the Dervishes are in close proximity, and an attack is impending. i It is reported that France intends to occupy Lvi Chow, a town on the east coast of the Quaiig Tung Peninsula. The British expedition it was proposed to send to the junction of the Sobat River and the White Nile, under the leadership of Mr H. S. H. Cavendish, has been postponed. The St Petersburg Novosti is advocating a more moderate policy by Russia, and it is now announced that the Czar's naval expenditure is to be spread over a period of seven years. Mr Justice Williams has resigned his appointment as president of the Arbitration Court, and is to receive twelvemonths' leave of absence. His duties are to be taken up by Judge Ward The annual meeting of the New Zealand Rifle Association was commenced at Oamaru yesterday. The weather was favourable, and the Nelson, Match and Ladies* Match— neither of which counts for the Champion Belt— were decided.