NEWS BY CABLE.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1689, 23 March 1885, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

THE SOUDAN BELIEF EXPEDITION OSMAN DIGNA SUMMONED TO SUBBENDER. THE FRANCO-CHINESE WAR. THE ROYAL VISIT TO BERLIN. DISASTROUS MINING EXPLOSION. LONDON MARKETS. SIR WILLIAM JERYOIS RETURNING. THE PRODUCE MARKETS. Scakim, March 18. General Graliam has summoned Osman Digua to surrender, in order to avoid bloodshed.

The force despatched from here this morning merely made a reconnaissance in the direction of Hasheen. It was found the place had been evacuated by tbo enemy. The British troops entered, and after a slight skirmish with the rebels, who were still in the vicinity, returned to their camp. London’, March 18. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Albert Victor started to-day for Berlin, to attend the festivities to bo hold in connection with the celebration of the Emperor William’s birthday.

The market rate of discount has declined to 3J, and is now | below the Bank rate. Wool. —A quiet tone prevailed at to day’s sale. The catalogue comprised '.1300 bales. March 19. It has transpired that Mr Gladstone, in November last, demanded that the Russians should withdraw their troops from Sarakhs, on the Afghan frontier, but the Russian Government refused, and the demand thereupon lapsed. The Bank of England has reduced its rate of discount to per cent. An authoritative denial has been given to the report current yesterday that Germany had offered to mediate between Franco and China, and it is announced that M. Patenotre, French Ambassador at Pekin, has been authorised to negotiate with the Chinese Government for an amicable settlement of the difficulty. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s R.M.S. Kaikoura left Teneriffe this morning for Wellington via the Cape.

New Zealand Securities—s per cent 10.40 loan has advanced by 10s to 105J ; 41 per cent 1879-1900 loan has advanced by 5s to 101| ; and 4 per cent inscribed stock by 20s to 99. Colonial breadstuff's and tallow are without quotable change. Wool. —At to-day’s auction 9900 bales were catalogued. The sale was quiet/ and prices generally, except for crossbred, ruled jd lower than at close of last auctions. The quantity withdrawn from sale since the opening of the series is 3500 bales. Tbe third series of auctions will commence on 4th June. The Quantity to be available is estimated at 350,000 bales. March 20.

The Daily News states it is probable that the northern portion of Queensland will be formed into a Crown Colony. St Petersburg, March 19. The semi-official Journal do St Petersburg states that Mr Gladstone's recent statements regarding the Anglo-llussinn situation had cleared the ground for parleying of a pacific character. Berlin, March 18. A disastrous mining explosion occurred today at Saarbrnok, in Khcuish Prussia, by which 200 miners were entombed. Sydney, March 19. Sir Henry Pnrkes announces his intention ot offering himself as a candidate for the first vacant seat in the Legislative Assembly. March 20. His Excellency Sir William Jerrors was a passenger by the s.s. Manapouri which loft here yesterday for Auckland. New Zealand wheat is quoted at 2s sd, a decline of 4d since last week’s report. Now Zealand oats, steady, at 2s 3d. Maize has declined by 5d to 3s 6d, Adelaide, March 20.

Wheat is quoted at its sd, and tho market is depressed. Town flour £8 per tou, country brands, £7 ss.