LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2306, 18 January 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. VICTORIAN EOUR MILLION LOAN. FIRE IN CORNHILL, LONDON. SILVER AND CO.’S GUTTED. UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. HOMEWARD SUEZ MAILS. EGYPTIAN MINISTER FOR WAR AND THE EVACUATION OF KHARTOUM. REPORTED ALBANIAN CORPS FOR EGYPT. THE INSURGENTS IN SOUDAN CUTTING OFF RETREAT. BISHOP MORAN TO SUCCEED ARCHBISHOP VAUGHAN. (Received January 17, 10 p.m.) London, January 17. In its issue this morning, the Daily News, in referring to the proposed Victorian Four Million Loan, doubts whether it will be successfully floated. An outbreak of fire occurred at 67, Cornhill, on the premises occupied by Messrs Silver and Co., and now (6 a.m.) is increasing rapidly. The Union Bank of Australia has declared a dividend for the past halfyear at rate of 18 per cent, per annum, and carries forward £55,000 to reserve. The homeward mails via Brindisi, dated Melbourne December 5, were delivered here yesterday. (Received January 18, 1 p.m.) Evening. The fire which broke out at Com hill

this morning, caused the destruction of Messrs Silver and Co.’s building, the whole premises being completely gutted. Through the efforts of the firemen, the flames were prevented from spreading to the adjoining building. (Received January 17, 10 p.m.) Cairo, January 16. The Minister for War has abandoned the journey which he proposed to make to Khartoum in order to supervise the evacuation of the town of the Egyptian garrison. The statement made yesterday that a colonel of the Egyptian army was about to raise a corps of Albanians for service in Egypt is not correct. (Received January 18, 1 p.m.) January 17. Latest news to hand from Soudan states that the insurgents have cut off any possible retreat of the Egyptian garrison from Sennaar, and have blocked the River Nile below Suem. Rome, January 17. The Propaganda has selected Bishop Moran as successor to the late Most Rev. Roger Bede Vaughan, in the archdiocese of Sydney. [special to press association.'] London, January 10. The City of Auckland Municipal loan of £IOO,OOO closed to-day. There are 217 tenders, covering £6,085,000. The loan has been placed at an average price of £lO2 10s. The Commercial Bank of Adelaide opens in London on the 14th inst. The London directors are Messrs John Beek, A. Turton, Barr, H. Smith. The Agents-General for the Colonies have been appointed vice-presidents of the Hygienic Exhibition. A difficulty in procuring the salmon ova has delayed the intended shipment to New Zealand. January 11. Without any cause being assigned Mr Thos. Archer, Agent-General for Queensland, has received intimation that he is granted three months’ leave of absence, and that W. Hummant is appointed acting Agent-General. The Rev. Chas. Strong is living now at Herbertstro, and will probably try to obtain a Glasgow pulpit. The Valetta has been tried on the Clyde, and made sixteen knots during a gale. The Orient Company have chartered the steamship Warwick, which will leave for Australia on the 18th inst., with 500 emigrants. Sir Saul Samuel is consulting with Captain Shaw in reference to the appointment of a Superintendent for the Sydney Fire Brigade. The Right Hon. H. C. E, Childers has informed the Agents-General that the Customs commission recently made in regard to the importation of Spanish wines will be extended to wine the produce of the colonies, but that the Government is unable to extend the limit of alcoholic strength to 32 degrees, owing to the loss which such an extenwould entail on the revenue. He will, however, consider whether a sliding scale admitting Australian wine at a duty of Is 6d per gallon can be agreed to. January 12. Australian wheat, new crop, is offered at 445; buyers are willing to concede 435, Both Australian and New Zealand wheats are firm at a slight advance. The Royal Geographical Society, it is believed, is hesitating as to the propriety of acting in conjunction with the Geographical Society of Sydney in regard to the exploration of New Guinea, as it fears that the Colonial Government is anxious to unduly influence the formation and objects of Powell’s proposed expedition in other directions than those in which co operation is desired.

The Marquis Ts6ng indicates that the warlike feeling is increasing in China, and he doubts now whether any offer of mediation will meet with acceptance. The last New South Wales loan is now at one and three-quarters premium. January 13. Great inducements are being offered to Frenchmen to emigrate to New Caledonia. A force of 84,000 rebels is reported to be advancing against Khartoum, the garrison of which is in a mutinous condition. The evidence proving that the Czar was recently wounded in the shoulder by Nihilists is increasing. January 14. Dr, Alfred Barry, recently consecrated to the Metropolitan see of Sydney, officiated at Osborne yesterday. The Times this morning denounces the admission of Frenchmen to minor positions in the Egyptian Ministry. The Right Rev' William J Bishop of Chester, will sliunlv resigr,

Telegrams from Tonquin state that 6000 Chinese troops have reinforced Nainan (?) Naid Nong. Mr Westgarth has offered XI2OO as prizes for the best essays on buildings moat suited for the poor, and also for the best scheme for rebuilding central London. Gordon Pasha urges that the Turkish and Anglo-Indian Contingent should recapture those towns in the Soudan which have been taken by El Mahdi. [SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE,] London, January 2. At the New Year’s Day reception held by the Emperor of Germany in Berlin, he predicted that 1884 would be a year of peace amongst the Europern powers. Large masses of Nationalists and Orangemen who had assembled at Dromore, County Down, for demonstration purposes, came into conflict yesterday. The Orangemen numbered 20,000, and are reported to have commenced the disturbances. A large body of military in town had been placed under arms in readiness for any affray, and were at once marched to the scene. They charged the crowd at the point of the bayonet, and before order was restored a large number of Orangemen had received bayonet wounds, some being of a very serious character. The terms of the triple agreement which has been entered into between Germany, Austria, and Italy are published this morning. They stipulate for an unreserved alliance between Italy and Austria, but they exonerate Italy from assisting Germany should that country be engaged in war with France.* The French Ministry have decided upon selling the Government lines of railway to private companies, and negotiations with this object have already been entered into. It is stated Ismail Pasha, who abdicated the .Egyptian throne in 1877, and who Ires'since resided in Italy, is intriguing to be restored. The Egyptian authorities are unfavourable, it is reported to the interference of Turkey in the suppression of the Soudan insurrection. A proposal has been made for the redaction of the salaries now paid to Egyptian officials. In reference to the formal demand made to Great Britain by the Egyptian Government for aid in quelling El Mahdi’s rebellion in the Soudan, it is rumoured that the British Cabinet will grant the assistance asked for. It is also considered probable that in such case the Great Powers will require England to guarantee the safety of foreigners in Egypt. It is estimated that there are 15,000 Egyptian troops available for defence. This force Sir Evelyn Baring, recently appointed British Diplomatic Agent and ConsulGeneral in Egypt, considers to be insufficient.