BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1432, 15 December 1886, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[rei TER’s TKLBCHa > s - COPYRIGHT.] AFFAIRS IN BURMAH. Rangoon, December 13. News has been received from Upper Burmah that an engagement between the British force and the rebels has taken place near Pakoka. The Bombay Lancers, who formed part of the British squadron, charged the enemy, killing 200 and wounding many others,

OCCUPATION OF EGYPT.

The Standard states that the British force in the occupation of Egypt will be greatly reduced in April next.

SHIPPING CASUALTY.

The ship Mangalore, bound to Adelaide, has returned to London, severely damaged, during a hurricane encountered after leaving.

LONDON MARKETS.

Consols are unchanged at zoofs. New Zealand four per cent inscribed slock has fallen per cent, and is now quoted at g6'4; New Zealand five per cent 10.40 loan is unchanged at 102; New Zealand four and a half per cent 5.30 loan, 99^. Colouial breadstuff's are in hfftfr demand at advanced rates. Adelaide wheat is is higher, 38s fid; flour is quoted at 26s fid. Australian beef tallow, 25s fid; mutton tallow, 30s. At the colonial wool auctions yesterday and to-day i 4,800 bales were offered. The market continues dull.

THE MELBOURNEEXHIBITION.

London, December 14 The Agents-General consider it improbable that the Prince and Princess of Wales will accept the invitation ol the Victorian Government to visit Melbourne for the inaugural ceremony in connection with the Centennial Exhibition of 1888.

THE FRENCH MINISTRY;

It has been officially notified to the Foreign Office that M. Flourens bet been appointed French Minister of Foreign Affairs.

(Received December 14 12 40 p.m ) THE BRITISH IN EGYPT. London, December 14 A statement has been published that it has been agreed to reduce the British force in Egypt to 500 men and the Egyptain standing army to ten thousand.

AUSTRALIAN.

[RC.UTKR’s TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.] MELBOURNE MARKETS. Melbourne. December 14. The Manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, New Zealand, reports as follows of the local market :—Wheat is firm at 5s id to $s 3d per bushel j barley slow of sale at 3s qd to 4s 3d. There is a moderate Inquiry for New Zealand oats (feed.sorts) at as pd to as ndj New Zealand oats (milling sorts) are in a fair demand at as lid to 3s. New Zealand oats under bond are selling at as to as 3d.

PROPOSED CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

Sidney, December 14. The Government propose holding an intercolonial exhibition in connection with the centenary of Australia. It bad been suggested that this be enlarged to an international exhibition, and that the Prince and Princess of Wales be invited to visit Sydney on the occasion. (Received Deo. 14, IS 40 p m.) A DAILY “HANSARD.” Msi.BOUßirx, December 16. A Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly has recommended the acceptance of the tender by 'the Melbourne Age for the production of a daily Hansard.

THE CENTENNARY.

The Victorian Government have decided to ask the Government of New South Wales to join in inviting the Prince of Wales to visit Australia during the centennary celebration in iBBB.

SHIPPING. • SvninsT, December 16, Arrived last evening Mararoa, from Auckland.

SHIPPING MISHAPS.

The steamship Corangamite, stranded at Wreck Bay, has been abandoned.

An inquiry is now proceeding into the cause of the loss of the steamship Keilawarra.