Latest English. AND GENERAL NEWS.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 85, 24 February 1876, Page 5

Latest English. AND GENERAL NEWS.

{From our Dunedin Contemporaries.) - London, February 16. A Royal Commission has been appointed to inquir* into the condition of the slave trade at Zanzibar. . , , :.•

In the Rouse of Commons the of the Exchequer introduced a motion for a loan to pay for the Suex Canal shares, also for the debt due to the Commission. The debate was referred till Monday next. The wool sales opened yesterday. The total arrivals up to date amounted to over a hundred thousand bales. Upwards of fifty-five thousand bales were offered, of which Cape wools preponderated. The attendance of both Home and foreign buyers was large, and bidding commenced with great spirit. ' Prices are about thd same as at the last series. : ■

. The Sultan has issued a . decree bringing into operation the reforms set forth by Austria, and offering an amnesty to till insurgents on their returning to obedience. > . "

February 19. The Merchant Shipping Bill passed a second reading in the House of Commons. The Premier, in answer to » question, said the choice of a title was the prerogative of the Queen. Lowe and Forster objected to the adoption of the despotic titte of Empress. Jacob Bright has been elected for the City of Manchester. . , ' . .

Tlie wool market is active, and competition continues, but Australian sorta generally aiea shade under last February i»tes.^ - Faulty and cross-breds Bhow a heavy'rtidudiadh. ' ' , ' '",. Wheat- Market dull ; mild ' weather having improved the prospects as to the growing crops. Adelaide is quoted at 51a fco 53a. .'•',..,. :•■■'. . STi>NEY» February 21. , The Sydney Gotennneiat has witbdrawii the tobacco duties. ; . • . ; '\ ; '.!".".' • The Swordnsh, from' London,, passed .a large American ship, on the 16th November, abandon^ atae*. .■■■•■•."■:■' . <: • .•'• ; ■ v :-r ■■ --.Q.

, Melboxjbne, February 2L,t' : There is great excitement in politics., R]t~ graceful scenes . occurred in the Assembly 'last week. Ji ■.■■?£kJ- :. !1 The Albion sailed oh Saturday f or the Bluff, with Suez mails. ;' ' „ , " , ' , The steamer Avoca arrived at Adelaide" with the extra Suez moU. : . ' . , , .

Wellington, February 22. About 90 representatives for the Colonial Prize-Firing competition sailed to-night for Wan-, ganui. The Mayor of Wellington sent a congratulatory message to the Lord Mayor of London, re the opening of the cable. Congratulatory messages were yesterday exchanged by his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby and the Go* ernor of New South Wales upon the completion o£ the submarine cable connecting the Colony with Australia. ■ .

Three sections on the reclaimed land, subject; to conditions of lease from City Council for a period of 42 years, brought a bonu3 of £500 ; 3 other sections held on the same terms brought a bonus of £605. .

The City-of Melbourne sailed from San Francisco, with the English mails on the 10th instant. The perpetrators of the witchcraft murder at Taiaroa are with the Uriweras, who will, it is believed, give them up. This will strengthen the hands of Government in securing the Epsom murderer, who is supposed to have left the Piako. . '

• ,The -Australian Cable is still in the hands of the manuf&turers, arid will be for 30 days, but the company is allowed to use it for the despatch . ■of messages- when .not required for testing purposes, hence the delay in the receipt and. trans- •■■ mission of message's. »' ' ' " The several .Australian Governments have agreed to request the Bank of England to inscribe their stocks the .same as arranged. for New Zealand. ... . . - '.* Arrived i Ship "Warwick, f r 0111 London, 99 dava out, and 81 from land to land. 'She had a fair weather passage. She brings 47 passengers, and 30 prize Lincoln sheep T fdr Walker j of Waikato. "^All well. ■•"" , ■•; . Auckland, February 22. , The Governor held a levee, to-day which was •-; 'well attended. • . • . • Wanganui, February 22. ■Preparations for the reception of ■> the re» ' presentatives are all complete. The range and camp are ready. , ■ *.; • & Napier,. February 22. Richard A, A. 'Sherrin, late elitor of 'The Wananga,' was charged at the- Police Court today by Edgar Whitaker-, solicitor, with embezzl. ing £3 55., the monies of Henare te Mona, proprietor of the paper. Mr Sheehan appeared foe the prosecution, and Mr Lee for the deface. The case lasted all day, and was dismissed. RIVERTON, February 22. • A half-cast, named "William Fortune,- was ■ o ch^arged at the Police Court .with having com- , nutted a rape upon Cathrine M'Kenzie; at, the Eastern Bush. The prosecufcrix lived in a cottage . . half-a-mile.distant from any other house, and her, - husband, who is a laborer, was working at a farm , about 20 miles distant. The offence was committed en the night of the 12th, when no one ' was in the house but the complainant and three ■ young children. They were all asleep , in , the, same bed, when the prosecutrix awoke by finding a strange man beside her. "He got' away .< before she thoroughly awoke, and she. was not able to swear to his identity, but strongly suspected the prisoner, as he had been at her house on the previous evening. The accused ■ was remanded for eight days to enable the police' to bring more conclusive evidence. " ' V,