LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2409, 22 May 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. >—< SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LOAN. THIRTY LAUNCHES EOR THE RIYER NILE. PREPARATIONS FOR DESPATCH OF BRITISH TROOPS. THE FRANCHISE REFORM BILL. (Received May 21, 2.20 p.m.) London, May 20. Tenders for the South Australian 4 per cent, loan of £1,650,000 were opened this morning, and found to amount to £2,750,000. (Received May 21, 3 p.m.) For the South Australian loan the minimum of which was flxKl at par, tenders at £IOO Is 6d will receive 14 per cent, of allotment, and tenders above that price in full.

(Received May 22, 0.55 a.m.) May 22. * The Government have invited tenders for engines to propel thirty river launches, which it is understood will be used for conveying troops up the River Nile. There are also other signs in connection with the transport service which indicate that active preparations are being made for the early despatch of an expedition of British troops into Soudan. In the House of Commons last night, the Franchise Reform Bill was again under discussion. Daring the debate, an amendment excluding Irish electorates from the operations of the bill was rejected by a large majority. The Homeward mails via Suez and Brindisi, dated Melbourne, April 10th, were delivered yesterday.

[special to press association.] London, May 15. Sir Henry Loch’s private secretary will be Captain Trail, and his aides-de-camp Viscount Castle Ross and Mr Seymour Hughes. The Court has directed the compulsory lipuidation of the Oriental Bank. The suggestion that two liquidators should be appointed on behalf of Victoria in connection with the Oriental Bank is objected to by the Court, on the ground that it would considerably increase the expense. May 16. The Duke of Marlborough has agreed to accept the sum of £107,000 in commutation of the pension of £4OOO a year, which has been paid to himself and previous holders of the title since the date of the battle of Blenheim, 1705. May 17. The New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw, Saville and Albion Company, have agreed to run steamers every alternate fortnight after October. Lord Rosebery, at Earl Granville’s request has postponed the Recidiviste debate in the House of Lords. The French Government appear greatly irritated at the action of the Australian colonies in the matter.

The Boyal Geographical Society have presented to Sir F. D. Bell the gold medal awarded to Professor Yon Haast, of Christchurch, for his explorations of the New Zealand Alps. The Court has directed the payment by the Oriental Bank of a sum of £90,000 lodged by the Japanese Government to redeem certain bonds. An autumn session of Parliament will he held if the House of Lords rejects the bill for the extension of franchise.

May 18. The Governor of Docgola is reported to be disloyal.

Canon W. B. Carpenter, of Windsor, and Honorary Chaplain of her Majesty the Queen, has been appointed to the See of Ripon, vacant by the death of the Rev. Dr. Bickersteth.

May 19. Admiral Richard will succeed Commodore Erskine iu command of the Australian station in June.

Mr Osborne, Resident Commissioner at the Cape, is appealing to John Dunn for troops to assist in repelling the Usutus, The inhabitants of Ekowe are fortifying that district. A powerful Colonial Bank has been formed at Hamburg. M. Ferry has announced that he proposes to largely curtail the powers of the French Senate.

The “ Standard ” believes that the bulk of shareholders of the Oriental Bank will be unable to meet the first call.

The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, have received the following cable message;—

“ London, May 14. “Ruapehu, s.s., arrived to-day at Plymouth, all well. Actual steaming time from Lyttelton, 37 days 20 hours. She will leave London for N.Z. ports on 29th inst. lonic follows, 17th June.”