REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2060, 6 April 1883, Page 2

REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. PROPOSED TREATY WITH PORTUGAL. ENGLAND’S COMMERCIAL FREEDOM IN CENTRAL AFRICA. ABDICATION OF THE KING OF ASHANTEE. BALANCE OF THE ALABAMA INDEMNITY. (Received April 5,2 p.m. London, April 4. In the House of Commons last night, the Hon. Mr Gladstone assenting, a motion was adopted setting forth that no treaty should be concluded with Portugal unless the same guaranteed that England should have commercial freedom on the Congo River, and perfect freedom in her action towards the civilization of Central African tribes. News is to hand from Ashanteo that the King has abdicated, and that the country is now in a state of confusion. (Received April 5, 8.5 p.m.)

In the House of Commons to-day, Lord E. G. Fitzmanrice, Under-Secre-tary of State for Foreign Affairs, stated in reply to a question that England was not in any way concerned in the disposal of the balance of the Alabama indemnity, which remains in the hands of the United States Government after payment of all claims. ♦ LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS. VICTORIAN FINANCES. A JOYCE FAMILY JURYMAN SETTLING IN VICTORIA. (Received April 6, 2.30 p.m.) Melbourne, April 5. An interim finance acconnt has been issued by the Hon. Mr Service, as Colonial Treasurer. He estimates the revenue for the current year at £5,700,000, and the expediture by votes at £3,900,000, exclusive of additional estimates to the amount of £434,000. The result will reduce Sir Bryan O’Loghlen’s estimated balance to £37,000. The accounts show that £2,000,000 will be required to meet the deficiency for Railway expediture in excess of the estimate. Mr Service, in presenting his account to the Assembly last night, stated that the revenue is coming in satisfactorily j the last loan will realise £3,000,000, whereof £1,900,000 will be required for the redemption of the other loans, but only £995,000 will be available for the services of this year. Nevertheless, obligations amounted to £1,550,000, of which amount £1,000,000 was required for Railways. Mr Service declared that the Treasury accounts are in a singular state of confusion, and that the Colony would experience the greatest difficulty in paying its way, and that he is at hia wit’s ends to meet the engagements of the Treasury. (Received April 5, 8.5 p.m.)

One of the jurymen who was engaged in the trial of the murderers of the Joyce family at Maarntrasna, has arrived here, and intends to settle. Arrived, the Union Company’s steamship Te Anau, from the Bluff; and sailed, the Rotomahana, for the -Bluff, this afternoon.

Per Merchant Shipping and Underwriters Association: —“ London, April 2, anived, the ship Marlborough, from Lyttelton January 17. (Received April G, 12.40 p.m.) April 6. The estimates of expenditure amounting to £2,000,000 has been passed by the Legislative Assembly. Mr J. M. Grant, Chief Secretary in the late O’Lcghleu Administration, has passed over to the Ministerial side in the Assembly. Sydney, April 6. Arrived, last evening, the Zealandia, from Auckland. Brisbane, April 6. Sir Arthur Kennedy leaves for England this month, before the arrival of his successor in Governorship, Sir Anthony Musgrave,