LATE CABLE NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 374, 25 March 1902, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

MR RHODES. - By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.. LONDON. .March 2-1.-Mr Cecil Rhodes’ condition has not improved. TRADE IN CHINA, Manchester merchants resisting the abolition of the likin in China has created a surprise. Their action is calculated to imperil Great Britain’s negotiations in Shanghai. The concensus of opinion of leading China merchants is that the British trade is able to bear an increase of Customs duties as equivalent to the abolition of the likin and concessions of other reforms to ensure freedom of trade witii the interior. CORONATION REVIEW.

Anchorage room for many foreign ships is being provided at Portsmouth for the review on the occasion of the Coronation. The Mayor of the city will entertain the British and foreign officers. The Prince of Wales will hoist the flag aboard the battleship London. It is the present intention of the Admiralty not to withdraw any, vessel from tiie Mediterranean, or interfere with the defence of other outposts of the Empire for the purposes of the review. AFFAIRS IN CHINA,

The Shanghai correspondent of the Times says that a large shipment lienc Times -says that a large shipment hence, after drawback on import duties had been obtained, was sent to Port Arthur, and entered China duty free via the Niuchwang railway. This is a breach of the promise given by Russia in 1889 that no goods would enter by the latter route until protection of the Chinese revenue had been arranged, A Belgian syndicate is asking a concession in connection witii the Shang-hai-Suchar-Nanking railway, which had been conceded to Great Britain in the year 1898, but which fell through owing to troubles. Great Britain recently resumed negotiations half-hear-tedly, but they were fruitless. SYDNEY, March 24.—1 tis now ascertained that Mr Williamson had an insurance of two thousand pounds on the scenery, and properties. The damage by the fire is estimated at fifty thousand pounds. TROOPSHIP ARRIVED, The troopship Manhattan lias arrived from Capetown with eight returned New Zealanders aboard. GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND, BRISBANE. Mareli 24.—Sir Herbert Chernside, the new Governor, received a cordial welcome. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. A fire at Childer destroyed twentytwo business places. The damage is estimated at twenty thousand pounds. The National has a line of £735.