Cablegrams.

Western Star, Issue 965, 18 July 1885, Page 3

Cablegrams.

(Reuter’s Special.)

HOMS AND FOREIGN. ' London, July 13.

In the House of Commons to-night, during the discussion on the Vote of credit, Mr W. 11. Smith, Secretary foi War, stated that, (he credit was for the purpose of despatching 5000 additional troops to India, if required. Tenders for the loan cf £300,000 at 5 per cent., for the Napier Harbor Hoard, tbe minimum of which had been fixed at par, wore opened to-day, when tho total amount of the tenders was found to be 61,300,000. Tenderers at £lO4 Is 3d will receive 30 per cent, of their applications, above that in full lu the House of Commons to-night the Right Him. W. 11. Smith, Secretary of State for War, brought down a motion for snpplementn.iy estimates. In the course of his speech Mr Smith informed the House that military preparations were being continued, pending a definite settlement with Russia on the Afghan frontier question. Lor i Wolsclcy arrived here to-day from Egypt. The Shaw Savill and Albion Go’s s.s. Arawa, from Lyttelton, June (sth, arrived at Plymouth yesterday evening. Her cargo of frozen meat is in good condi' ioii. J nly 14. The House of Commons last night voted the supplementary credit asked for by tbe Go- i veriiment the Right Honorable the Minister • for Was Mr W. Smith, urging it was needed to complete the neces ary preparations pending a settlement with Russia, Mr Smith added that tbe present Government was net pre- I pared to accede to tbe demands made by Russia to their predecessors in office. The Right ; Honorable Robert Bourke informed tbe House that so far no arrangements had been completed for arbitration between England and Russia ou the Afghan frontier question, but that the state of the case put forward was still under decision between, the two countries. ■ ' July 14.

The Hon. F. Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonics, in an interview to-day with the Colonial A gents-General, promised to ask Lord Lyons, British Ambassador at Paris, to continue his efforts for the piotection of Australian interests with regard to the Recidiviste question. It is currently stated that the Pacific Mail Company’s service between Sydney, Auckland, and San Francisco will bo withdrawn in November next, when the present agreement i expires; the reason being that the colonies of New South Wales and Now Zealand are unwilling to contribute a subsidy. It is announced that Col. Sir B. J. LloydLindsay, M.P. for Berkshire, has been elevated to the peerage. The Munster Bank (Limited), which has branches in the principal towns of the South of Ireland, has suspended payment. July 15.

Wool —To-day’s market was quiet. For the nest series of colonial wool auctions 220,000 bales have already arrived. The R.M.S. Tongariro, from Wellington (June 7th), arrived at Plymouth last night. Her frozen meat cargo is reported iu good condition. July 16. In the House of Commons last night Lord Randolph Churchill, Secretary for India, announced tliat the Government were in receipt of a report from Col. Ridgeway, in charge of the Afghan Boundary Commission, to the effect that the Russian force, in the vacinity of the Zu’likar Pass was being considerably increased. It is announced that Lieut.-Col. H. P. Peacock ami Captain Yates have gone to Herat to watchjthe place, to which the Boundary Commission are now proceeding. At the meeting of the Federation League held in Liverpool to-day, resolutions were passed affirming that the federation of the Empire is essential, but deprecating any attempt to interfere with the rights of local parliaments. The Boundary Commission has removed to Herat, at the request of the Afghan authorities in order to direct,the works carried out for the defence of tliat place.

The Union Bank of Australia has declared a dividend for the post half-year at 6y per cent, per annum, and carries forward and places to reserve fund £56,000.

(Special to Melbourne Papers.) London, July 13.

Five leading city financiers have signed a strong protest against the excessive borrowing of New South Wales, as over a million of the lost loan was unplaced.

Mr George Simpson has started for Perth to arrange with the Government of Western Australia for a land grant in aid of the proposed railway between Bunbury and Beverley, on the Albany route. J uly 14. The Government intend to erect the Gordon monument, in Trafalgar Square. Lord Wolseley, on his return from the Soudan, met with a most enthusiastic reception.

The Times, in an article on the proposed New South Wales loan, considers it unwiso to borrow at present, but is of opinion that the attempt made at bullying by financiers should be resisted. The leading dealers in slock denounce the protest made by the brokers.

The annual cricket mach—Eton v. Harrow —was won by the latter by three wickets, after an exciting contest, . ■ , The placing, oh the,,market of the New South Wales loan has been delayed pending the fixing of the minimum. July 15. In his despatches, General Komaroff has accused the Afghans of still advancing, but ho has received orders from his Government to act strictly on the defensive., vj ...... . The balance-sheet of the National Bank of New Zealand shows the doubtful debts to be £130,000. £IOO,OOO of the capital account, and £IO,OOO from the reserve fund have been transferred to contingent bad debts’ account. It is reported that H.M.S. Beacon will be presented to one of the Australian colonies. The Beacon is a double screw composite gunviessel of 630 tons, and capable of carrying four guns

July 16.

Russia claims what practically amounts to the command of the Zulfiker Pass, and the Czar offers to refer the matter to the Afghan Frontier Commission, but the Marquis of Salisbury has declined to accede to this. Three thousand Russians are now in the vicinity of the Pass.

All the Powers with the exception of Russia assent to England issuing an Egyptian loan. This is regarded as a triumph for the Marquis of. Salisbury.

INTERCOLONIAL,

Si’DNEf. July 14,

The case of the convict Johns, sentenced to death for the muider of a fellow prisoner, is causing considerable agitation in Sydney, and last night crowds of people paraded the streets protesting against his execution. July 16.

The Premier has forwarded a telegram to the Agent-General for the colony, informing him that the Federation Enabling Bill will not be acceptable to New South Wales if clause 31 bo omitted, and that even then it is questionable if the bill will bo adopted if the clause is retained.

Melbourne, July 16

The ship North American left Melbourne for London on February 19th, and grave fears are entertained for her safety, Tiie colonics of New Zealand, New South Wales, and Victoria have agreed to a reduction of the tariff for cable messages passing over their lines by one-half, but they consider that in that case they arc entitled to a substantial concession at the hands ol Cable Co. Communications are being exchanged or, the subject, and a fuvoiablc issue to the negotiations is looked for.