LATE CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 405, 2 May 1902, Page 2

LATE CABLES.

SHIPPING COMBINE,

By telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, May 1, Morgan’s shipping combine has been provisionally designated a navigation syndicate. The .White Star Line admits that it has agreed to a syndicate on the basis of community of interests subject to the shareholders’ approval. ITALY’S INTENTION. The Genoa newspaper Cafaro states that Italy intends acquiring an island in Australian waters to establish penitentiary colony for transportation of confirmed criminals and dangerous persons hitherto condemned to solitary confinement. The same news is pul> lished in some French journals. A CONTRADICTED REPORT, The reported occupation of Lado Enclave is semi-officialiy contradicted. SOUTH AFRICAN TERRITORY. ' It is officially announced mat the extension of territory granted to Natal, comprising seven thousand square miles, including eight thousand whites and fifty thousand natives, embraces Vryheid, Utrecht, and a portion of Wakkerstroon districts. Transvaal and Natal become responsible for a portion of the Transvaal debt. TROOP k-i-u . The troopship Manhattan, with a portion of the Commonwealth''Contingent, has arrived at Durban.

RETRENCHMENT, BRISBANE, May 1 In connection with vhe retrenchme;

of the Civil Service it is understood that all officers over sixty years of age will be retired on June 30. There is reason to believe that the retrenchment will include the complete abolition of the chief weather bureau. THE WEATHER. Sydney', May i. The sea is moderating, and shipping traffic is being resumed.

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. MELBOURNE, May 1In accordance with the agreement made in December the whole of the State Ministers, excepting Mr Trenwith, have handed in their resigna-

tions to the Premier with the view of giving a free hand in the re-construct-ing of the Cabinet, to consist of five This is the first instalment of the promised Parliamentary reform. PENNY POSTAGE^ Mr Barton states that the exact position in regard to penny postage is that it has been decided to submit for the approval of Great Britain a proposal to treat letters not exceeding half an ounce, and prepaid at one penny in Great Britain, as fully prepaid.