REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1361, 10 February 1881, Page 2

REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

London, February 7. In the House of Commons todav the Right Hon. Grant Duff, Undersecretary for the Colonies, in reply to a question, said that the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony had determined to resist the Ashantee demand for the surrender of the fugutive chief, and was making every defensive preparation in case of attack.

Mr Gladstone announced in the House to-day that the Irish Land Bill, would take precedence of nil other business after the Coercion Bill had been passed. Michael Lavltfc will be exempt, from bard labor dating his imprisonment for

the remainder bf the term of his sentence.

Consols declined to 98|. New Zealand securities are unchanged. Adelaide wheat has fallen one shilling per quarter, and to-day is quoted at 495, ex warehouse ; ■ flour, ex warehouse, reniaina Ait 345; and New Zealand Wheat, eix ship, at 445. Australian tallow remains at 84s 6d for best beef; and 3'9s for best mutton.

It is now announced that it is the intention of the Government that the Irish Land Bill should* if possible, become law before Easter, and an effort will be niade to bring about this result.

The Board of Trade returns show imports for the past month amounting to £2,675,000, showing a decrease of £562,500; the exports amount to £17,312,500, showing an increase of £375,000 as compared with the month of January, 1880. A disastrous fire has broken out in a colliery at Tunstall, Staffordshire. Twenty colliers are entombed, but little hope of rescuing them is entertained. T. Walsh, Land Leaguer, one of the traversers in the recent prosecution at Dublin, has started for Australia. Id the House of Commons, to-day* the debate on the Irish Coercion Bill was resumed. The proceedings were in every respect orderly and the debate is progressing satisfactorily.