General Cable News.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XVII, Issue 2947, 19 April 1899, Page 4

General Cable News.

A deputation is being formed in London to interview the Government and protest against the injustice of adding the same burden to cheap wines as to ports and sherries. The deputation is also to ask Parliament io make a concession in regard to those wines whose otrength is below thirty parts of pure spirit. The Agents-General and the representatives of the colonial wine trade are concerting with a view to action. The Duke of Devonshire, speaking last night at Presteigne, a town in Radnorshire, hinted that it was his intention at an early date to retire from politics. Owing to the villagers arming in the vicinity of Kaulung, a body of British troops have been sent to that place, with a view to preventing the outbreak of hostilities. Viscount Peel, who was reported the other day to have resigned the chairmanship of the British Boyal Commission on the licensing question, has reconsidered bi 3 resignation. He will now meet with his own supporters ojl the Commission, submit his own report for acceptance, and leave others to prepare separate reports. When the navy estimates were mentioned in the House of Commons, the Government intimated that it was merely intended to erect coal sheds, magazines and invalids' hospitals at Weihaiwei, and to improve the anchorage and the fortifications, and that these works would be proceeded with slowly. The Czar, Nicholas 11., does not intend to disarrange the internal regime of Finland, as reconfirmed by Alexander 111. in 1882.

The charge against Webb and Dodd for convening a meeting of Outlanders to protest against the shooting of Edgar by a roliceinan at Johannesburg was disn'ijsed. The German crui Cormoran, bound from Hongkong to Samoa, where she was to have relieved the Bussard, has arrived at Brisbane with her masts gone, and otherwise in a damaged condition, On the way she called at German New Guinea, and left again on March 23. Next morning she went aground hard and fast on Whirlwind Beef. After six days and nights of continuous labour, and the cutting away of the the main and foremasts, the throwing overboard of the steam steering gear, the refrigerating machinery, and everything portable except the guns, ammunition and stores, the crew managed to get her off. A number of her sheathing planks were destroyed, but the hull was undamaged. She will go to Sydney for repairs, which, it is expected, will take three months. Captain Emsnaun says he had a most exciting time. Several times he was inclined to abandon the vessel, and but for the splendid exertions of the officers and crew he would have .done so. In the Parliamentary elections for the representation of Vryburg, both seats were secured by Africanders. The imposition of the increased

! wine duties is attributed by the action of France in disregarding the British remonstrances in regard to her arbitrary actions in Madagascar, The Empire Trade League will send a deputation to Sir Michael HicksBeach in support of an amendment which is to be moved by Colonel Sir Howard Viucent, M.P. for Central Sheffield, in favor of exempting colonial wines from the increased duties. A farmer named Kechane and his son have been found murdered in the highway near Skibbereen, County Cork, one of the southernmost towns in Ireland.

Max Regis, ex-Mayor of- Algiers, who in February was sent to gaol for three months in connection with the anti-Semitic riots there, has now been sentenced to four months' imprisonment for insulting the GovernorGeneral of Algeria. The Eight Hon. Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, has informed a deputation that it is intended to impose a prohibition tariff upon liquor in the J3ritish territories in Africa.

The King and Queen of Italy reviewed the French and Italian squadrons at Cagliari, on the south coast of Sardinia, and were entertained at lunch on board the French flagship. The British Channel squadron, which is now cruising in the Mediterranean, will visit Cagliari this week. Sir George Turner, Premier of Victoria, says the increased British taxation will practically close the I English market to colonial wines. He is consulting the Premiers of the other colonies, and says it will depend upon the result of a protest sent to the Agents-General by those interested iu the wine trade whether the colonies concerned shall take further action upon items in the Budget affecting Australia. Sir Henry Irving, the famous actor, was accorded a warm ovation upon his first reappearance at the Lyceum Theatre since his recent illness. The house was crowded by a brilliant assemblage. Crowds waited on the pavement for eleven hours before the the theatre was opened. The death is announced of Frances, Dowager Duchess of Marlborough. Frances Anne Emily was a daughter of the Marquis of Londonderry, and was born in 1822. She married the seventh Duke of Marlborough, who died sixteen years ago. A thousand Chinese soldiers, without provocation, fired upon a party of 150 British troops at Tapiofu, in the Kowloon region. The British, assisted by shells from the Destroyer, charged and dispelled the Chinese, killing several. The English casualties were nil. The British then hoisted the Union Jack at Tapiofu. An Afghan fired a revolver at the Ameer of Afghanistan, but missed him. The shot, however, struck a general beside him. The outrage was perpetrated in Russiau territory. T'ie man has been arrested. The young woman named Alice Jephson, who was charged at Melbourne with the mnrder of her little son, has been sent, to a lunatic asylum.

A collier named Leyly has been rescued from a flooded mine in Shropshire after having been eleven days without food. Mr Crocker, the leader of Tammany in New York, in giving evidence before a commission to inquire into the alleged corrupt government of New York t admitted that Tammany controlled all the appointments made by the Mayor, and settled the fate of the laws proposed for the City and State legislation. He stated that the candidates for the positions on the Judiciary must contribute to the funds of Tammany. They were expected to appoint partisan referees, who would award the lion's share of the proceeds of sales of estates to Mr Crocker. Boss Crocker also declared that Senator Pratt and his sons were responsible for all the corruption in New York. I The Pope attended Te, Deum at ! St. Peter's on the occasion of the twenty-first anniversary of his coronation. Eight thousand people were present, and extraordinary enthusiasm was manifested. The Pope was very weak, and had to be carried to St. Peter's. He pronounced the benediction in a lecumbent position. At the conclusion of the Te Deum at St. Peter's the Pope remarked, " I wonder if this is my last appearance," A storm in a military tea cup has been created in Sydney through Colonel Neild, a Volunteer officer, and member nf the Legislative Assembly, eriic ting military matters in the press. Colonel Neild has been placed under arrest. He asserts his right to make such criticism ds a member of Parliament is privileged, similiarly as if he were speaking within the walls of Parliament, The Coa aandant of the Forces (MajorGeneral French) considers that Col. Neild has committed a breach of

discipline so serious that he (Major French) has sent his papers to the Acting-Governor, as Commander-in-Chief, to deal with. Boss Crocker states he sails for England immediately. His disclosures have caused dismay and his arrest is threatened. A eook in the employ of Ischak Khan, brother to the Ameer of Afghanistan, has been hanged at Samarkand for an attempt to poison his master. France and Spain are taking concerted action in regard to the new British wine duties.