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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 24, 8 October 1886, Page 13

Last mouth's operations at Gympie, Queensland : 9192 tons for 70350z. Dividends, LBI3O. Several Russian war-ships are engaged in surveys on the coast of Corea. The second ballots at the Communal elections in France have resulted in a net gain of eight seats to the Conservatives. The Merrie Monarch, Charters Towers, Queensland, has been purchased by English capitalists for L 75.000. Plenty of money in England for likely investments. The French Press in Egypt is endeavouring to excite the hostility of the low Greek population by a reference to the recent Greek blockade. The unemployed on the forest plantation works at Rangariri are doing well. They have already planted 900 trees. In a native quarrel in the Godavery district in Hindostan, 100 natives were killed. Fourteen rebels in Madrid have been sentenced to death. A colliery explosion has occurred at Silicstone, Yorkshire, whereby 20 persons lost their lives. The French troops are still holding out at Mallicolo amd Havannah Harbour. H.M.S. Swinger is watching their movements. In all probability Sir Patrick Jennings will be made a baronet within the next few months. The British-India Company are fitting all their ships with freezing chambers, and are about to prosecute the frozen meat traffic with great vigour. The steamer Lyttelton bound from Ferntown to Wellington has been wrecked on a reef near the Beef Barrels. The crew were picked up and taken on to Nelson by the steamer Murray. Lieutenant-colonel Stavely is gazetted honorary colonel on the Reserve list of the New Zealand Volunteer Force. Major Wales is promoted to be lieutenant colonel, and takes command of the Otago Militia and Volunteer district. Government have received a cablegram from Admiral Tryon, suggesting that they should legislate in the direction of regulating the sale of intoxicating drinks to seamen belonging to her Majesty's war ships, while stationed in New Zealand waters. The English harvest is almost completed. The wheat market is weak, and common sorts are 6d cheaper. Australian and New Zealand shipments are depressed. Michael Davitt says : " The true policy for Home Rule is to advocate reforms required by the workers of Great Britain while advocating juitice to Ireland." Flower services were lately held at Ocean-street Congregational Church, Woollahra, Sydney. The floweis were afterwards taken to St. Vincent's Hospital, and presented to the Sisters of Charity. A company is to be formed, to be known as the Australasian and Japanese Woollen Company, with a capital of £50,C00. The probable wheat yield in South Australia is estimated at about six bushels to the acre. The Queensland Government intend to use steel sleepers on the railways which run through timberless country. The striking: of water on the Nallibor Plains, at the head of the Australian Bight, is hailed with joy by explorers and experts. Nearly three million tons of coal (2,878,863) of the value of £1,340,212, were raised by 7097 men from 54 mines in New South Wales last year, the highest amount on record. Tbe estimated gold produce of New South Wales for the last 35 years was 9,639 3590z. of the value of £35 727,928. The New Zealand Insurance and Finance Journal says that in five years, the export of bacon and hams has been multiplied by 65, that of butter by 12, of cheese by 17, of potted and preserved meats by 40. A gang of raidera have shot two daughters of a farmer in Cork for refusing to give them arms which were in the farmhouse. The last brick in the tunnels on the Wellington- Manawatu Company's linp was placed on Monday. Mr. Norton, of Sydney, in a letter to the Prince of Wales, asks him to exert his influence towards discouraging emigration to the Colonies. A force of 15,000 troops despatched to quell the rebellion in Burmah has started for Rangoon. In all there are 36,485 holdings in New Zealand, comprising upwards of 17,000,000 acres of land, of which 11,728,000 acres are freehold and 5,348,000 leasehold, exclusive of Ciown pastoral leases. The Minister of Mines has authorised that £750 be held at the disposal of Lake county towards making and continuing the Greeustone route via Pyke's creek and Lake Alabaster. A resident of Ballarat named W. H. Solomon has died from the effects of the bite of a cat received while playing with it. The Pall Mall Gazette says that if the British evacuate Egypt it will be impossible to trust the French there, seeing how unreliable they have proved in the New Hebrides. An Australian hall, built by Irish Catholics at a coat of £6000, has just been opened at Orange. It is the finest hall out of Sydney, having accommodation for 1000 people.

Edinburgh, Aug. 21. — In the new election just taken place in Leith to fill the vacancy caused by Gladstone's chosing to sit for Midlothian, which he was also elected to represent, Ferguson, the Gladstoniaa candidate, has been overwhelmingly successful. He polled 4,204 votes against 1,527 tor MacGregor and 1,499 for Jacks. Both MacGregor and Jacks r<in as Unionists. Jacks was returned as a Liberal to the last Parliament by a majority of 3,870 in a total vote of 8 840. He opposed Gladstone's Home Rule Bill, and entered the canvas for re-election as a Unionist,