LATEST EUROPEAN.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 375, 24 February 1880, Page 2

LATEST EUROPEAN.

(Reuters Telegrams.) fSPECIAL TO THE MAIL] London, Feb. 20. The present series of wool auctions to date show the following increases in the prices of wool as compared with last auctions :—Greasy, l-|d to 2d ; fleeces, Feb. 21. At to-day's wool sales 9900 bales were offered, and prices were firmly maintained. (FROM THE LYTTELTON TIMES.) London, Feb.*lß. Three per cent consols remain unchanged at 98. The New Zealand 10-40 loan has advanced 1 per cent, and to-day is quoted at 104^ Feb. 19. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £16,625,000. At the wool auctions during the past week, 10,300 bales have been catalogued. The general tone of the sales is firm, and the demand is active. Feb. 20. At the wool sales to-day 8800 bales have been cataloged ; there was a firm and active demand. In the House of Lords an important discussion took place on the Afghanistan question. The Duke of Argyle again attacked the policy of the Government. The Premier replied, defending the course pursued, stating that Russia sought to embarass England in Asia. The duty of the Government was therefore to secure the gates of India. Until such had been achieved it was impossible to retire from Afghanistan,, as anarchy still prevailed in the country. Berlin, Feb. 21. The German Government are taking active interest in the preparation of exhibits for the Melbourne Exhibition and are adopting steps to be adequately represented, and have determined to grant a liberal subsidy, St. Petersburg, Feb. 19. It has been ascertained that the mine under the Winter Palace was fired by a battery at the time the Imperial family, attended by servants, were actually entering the saloon. A number of the latter were seriously injured. The affair has caused a great sensation, and a large number of arrests have taken place in consequence. [Argus' Special.] •— London, Feb. 20. The Canadian Board of Trade has suggested that the English associated Chambers of Commerce should convene a conference to consider the basis of a British and Colonial Zollverein, the Chambers arranging for a preliminary conference of Colonists resident in Great Britain, to decide whether a meeting of Colonial and Home delegates should be held next year. Some exalted personages are implicated in the outrage at the Winter Palace. Protests from Sydney ard Wellington delay the settlement of the postal question. Feb. 21. Sir Garnet Wolseley has been appointed Quarter-master General at,Whitehall. . Wool firm, opening rates have advanced; greasy fleece scoured 2d ? cross- breds 2d.

[Age Special.] London, Feb. 19. The Turcoman chiefs have ordered a levy of 60,000 men, for the purpose of offensive operations against the Russians. The Khan of Merv has appealed to the Indian Government and to Persia for artillery. By the explosion at St. Petersburg 40 men of "the Imperial Guard were wounded, and seven killed. Feb. 20. Colonel Colley, Military Secretary to the Viceroy of India, has been oppointed successor to Sir Garnet Wolseley in the Transvaal. Mr Hanny, a resident of Glasgow, has discovered a process of making artificial diamonds.