GENERAL NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 374, 16 July 1897, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

♦ EUROPEAN AND FOREIGN. ( / '->■ l're.y.s Jsstx iatii'ii. —< 'ofi/rii/ltt.) London, July 14. The Established and Free Churches of Scotland, the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and the Presbyterian of Ireland have adopted a new hymnal, which will come into use at the end of the year. The hymns are set to new tunes by Sir John Stainer, Professor of Music at Oxford University, and Sir Arthur Sullivan. It is hoped the Churches in Australia will adopt the new hymnal, and so kbit closer the ties between the Churches. Sir Wilfred Laurier was banqueted at the Canada Club. In the course of a speech he said Canada required more population. He promised industrious emigrants ICO acres of fertile land free. At the wool sales prices were very firm. Good scoured merinos advanced a halfpenny. At the Henley Royal Regatta Fairbairn (the Queensland oarsman) was defeated iu the first heat for the Diamond Challenge Sculls. Washington, July 15. The Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate has recommended the ratification of the treaty for the annexation of Hawaii by America without amendment. C'alcctta, July 15. The punitive military expedition despatched from India against the treacherous tribesmen in Toehi \ alley. Afghanistan, will destroy all fortified native positions between Maozar and Sheranni.