GENERAL CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 820, 19 February 1903, Page 1

GENERAL CABLES.

By telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. London, Feb. IT. Mr Austen Chamberlain states that the Government are likely to deal with old age pensions in 1903. By an explosion of cotton at Woolwich Arsenal a workman was killed, while Captain Partridge and three workmen were seriously injured. The Blue Book does not indicate the origin of the suggestion of AngloGerraau co-operation in Venezuela. Mr Copeland, Agent-General for New South Wales, in an exhaustive reply to Mr Wilson, says that if Australia is solvent it is not for the lack of as-._Ad.uts, many of whom are unscrupulous in their attacks. Tho cruiser Wpartiato will be commissioned in March to convey relief crows for tho Australian station. The Colonial Office, at Mr W. P. Reeves’ instance, will cull the special attention of the War Office to the importance of moat tender forms reaching the colonies in time to enable farmers to compete direct. An influential meeting of naval experts, including sevoral members of the House of Commons, was hold at Westminster in favor of the creation of a North Sea squadron, with a naval base on tho north-east coast, in reply to Germany’s naval activity.

Sir Gavan Duffy’s family consent to his intormont at Dubliu. A meeting, presided ovor by the Lord Mayor, appointed a oommitteo to make arrangements for a.subscription list to he opened. The Archbishop offered tho pro-Cathodral or the Church of St. Andrew's for the reception of Sir Gavan’s remains. A meeting of Nationalist members held, at Dublin, oxprossed deep regret at Sir G. Duffy’s doath, and appreciation of his servicos to Ireland, aud also nrgod the Govornmont to give legislative effect to the Land Conference resolutions. Romo, Fob. 17. Signor Bacoilli, Minister for Agriculture, in tho Chamber of Deputies, spoko coufiently of Count Lamsdtorff's tour of the Balkans, which was intended to harmonise the needs of civilisation to the maintenance of territorial status and the existing equilibrium. Italy agreed with the Austra-Russian scheme. St, Petersburg, Sept. 17. Russians sternly rejected the Bulgarians’ plea of inability to restrain the Monastery bauds. Tho Czar urges King Ferdinand to uso unsparing efforts to hamper the activity of the Bulgarian committees aud bands. Hobart, Fob. IS. Sir Edmund Barton is touring the State and delivering addresses. He states that negotiations between Canada, Fiji, and the Union Company are proceeding for tho extension of tho Australian-Canadian mail service. Sir Edmund Barton is inclined for a short extension only, perhaps two years, the reason being that it might be possible to provide for a better service with larger ships. Negotiations, however, will shortly be completed. Melbourne, Feb. IS. The Council inserted an amendment in the Reform Bill, raising tho voters’ qualification for the Upper House from £ls to £2O.

Perth, Feb. IS. A man named Barass surrendered on hearing that a warrant was out for his arrest in connection with the bank note robbery. He states that his only connection with the case was that he sold Jones an interest in a theatrical company to be formed to tour the eastern states, for which he received £3OO, All the stolen property except £1775 has been recovered. Sydney, Fob. 18, Th T - '“SUTCr states that tho fall in vr % l ±u wr i ■‘•'iree per cents is New South Wales .. 1 T -nd simply' due to the stato of the money market. Thero are M l cases of typhoid at Coonamble. The s.s. VVakatipu was floated at midnight, and towed to tho wharf. After discharging the remainder of her cargo sho goes into dock. The fires round Duugog continue. Manv settlers in the ranges have been ruined, their grass being burned and stock destroyed or dispersed. Very hot weather in the western districts has burned up the grass, which followed the December raius.