CABLEGRAMS.

Western Star, Issue 19, 21 March 1874, Page 6

CABLEGRAMS.

London, 7th March.

Parliament was formally opened on the sth. Mr. Brand’s re-election to the Speakership--was unopposed. The speech from the throne was deferred until after the re-election of Ministers. The Houses will probably meet for business on the 19th inst. At a meeting of the members of the late Cabinet, Mr. Gladstone declined to undertake the leadership of the Liberal party in the House of Commons. A heavy fall has occurred in the price of coal in the manufacturing districts of England, and a reduction of wages has commenced. The anti-Ecclesiastical Bills, applicable to the whole of Germany, have been submitted to the Federal Council. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh landed at Gravesend to-day, and met with a hearty reception. A despatch from Sir Garnet Wolseley, of 2nd February, describes that the peaceful professions of King Koffiie Calcaui, with his offer of unconditional surrender, were solely intended to deceive, and that the whole negotiation was a treacherous plot. The Ashanteos offered greater resistance than was believed possible. The Earl of Carnarvon has received a letter from Goldsworthy, dated Bth February, announcing that the King of the Ashantees is a prisoner, and that General Wolseley had returned to Donbor. 9th March. A deputation from the aborigines waited upon the Secretary for the Colonies, and presented a memorial respecting the Polynesian slave trade. Lord Carnarvon assured the deputation of the Government sympathy, and stated that, they were only awaiting the report of the commission of inquiry in Fiji.

A despatch has been received from Majors General Sir Garnet Wolseley, dated the sth February, in which he announces the capture and burning of Coomassie, with the the King. The troops bad withdrawn to the adjacent hills, where they were to await the issue of peace negotiations. The Ashantees had not attempted to interfere with the troops on their return march. The steamship Atrato, for Otago, has returned to Plymouth with her machinery disabled. 10th March. The Queensland mails, via Torres Straits, brought by the Sunfoo, and the mails via Sau Francisco, have been delivered. A despatch from Sir Garnet Wolseley, dated from the Prah, states that the King of Ashanteo had sent I.OOOoz. of gold as a first instalment of the indemnity. Sir Garnet received the King’s Envoy on 13th February, at Folmanah, and sent back the draft of a treaty of peace to Coomassie. Captain Glover has retired to Ascera, and all the white troops were on the way to the Coast. The last detachment will embark on the 22nd March. The King of Adanse leaves Ashantee, and becomes an ally of England. The sale of the Comte de Chambord’s portrait has been forbidden in France. Heavy rains and tornadoes render the homeward march of Sir Garnet Wolseley and his army difficult. COMMERCIAL. 7th March, The opening competition at the wool sales is well maintained, but faulty descriptions are lower. Wheat is firmer. Home deliveries are small, and foreign arrivals inconsiderable. Copper of all kinds is quiet at late quotations. Tin is heavy and unsettled. Straits, £95 to £96 ; Australian, £94 to £95. There are large supplies of Australian tin ore in the market, which have been sold at from £29 to £57. A hundred tons were withdrawn. New Zealand flax has slightly advanced.