Friday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 34, 18 December 1885, Page 9

Friday.

Mb. Wabd, an expert in the use of torpedoes, who was selected for New Zealand by the Agent-general, has arrived in the Colony, and reported himself to the Defence Minister. Mr. Ward, who is a pensioner of the Imperial Army, is said to be a specialist in the use of the White-head and fish torpedoes, and it is the intention of the Government to obtain a number of such torpedoes. Mr. Ward's duties will be particularly devoted to torpedo instruction. The elections for Eaglaad and Wales are now finished. The Liberals secured 331 seats, the Conservatives 250, and Parnellitea 82. For South-east Durham the Liberal candidate (Sir H. Havelock Allan) defeated Sir George Elliott. Two labour candidates have been elected— viz., Mr. Jos ph Arch, for North-west Norfolk, and Mr. Charles Fenwick for the Wansbeck division of Northumberland. The new Parliament meets on the 12th January next. Sir Charles Dilke, addressing a meeting of his constituents at Chelsea last night, denied that the Radical party were anxious to eject the present Government from offices and stated his belief that the Liberal party would assist any Government which was desirous of carrying liberal measures.

Advices from Adelaide state that the South Australian crop accounts are very unfavourable, and the quality generally much worse than last season. The Victorian crops are generally reported to be most favourable, though in some districts the accounts are unfavourable, owing t» the ah irtness of the rain-fall. The demand on the part of the Powers of an armistice does not rppearto have been conclusive ; and in spite of the dead-lock which has occurred . both Bervia and Bulgaria remain on the defensive.