LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2882, 23 January 1886, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. >—■*. BANK OF ENGLAND RATE OF DISCOUNT. WAIMAKARIRI RIVER BOARD LOAN OF £21,000. THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT ON IRISH AFFAIRS. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE. THE CLAIMS OF GREECE. ARRIVAL OF THE RANGITIKEI. (Received January 22, 1.20 p.m.) London, January 21. The directors of the Bank of England to-day reduced the bank rate of discount from 4 to 3 per cent. Tendeis opened to day for £21,000 at 5 per cent., placed upon the market by the Wairaakariri River Board. The amount applied for was £51,250. Tenderers at £lO4 7s and upwards receive their applications in full. (Received January 23, 1.30 a.m.) January 22. In the House of Lords to-day, the Marquis of Salisbury, referring to Irish affairs, staled that the government of Ireland had been virtually entrusted to the newly appointed Chief Secretary, the Hon. W. H. Smith, and her Majesty’s Government were prepared to act promptly upon the receipt of his report. The Address-in-ieply to the Speech from the Throne was voted in the House of Lords by a considerable majority. In the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone stated that he still adhered to his manifesto regarding Irish affairs. He deprecated the postponement of the scheme of local government, and advised the House to accord a patient hearing to the claims put forward by Mr Parnell and his followers. Mr Parnell, speaking on the same subject, expressed his opinion that the right to legislative autonomy being once conceded to Ireland it would not be difficult to settle the details, and, while securing the integrity of the Empire, to protect the interests of the minority.

Sir Michael Ricks-Beach, leader of the Government in (he House of Commons, gave notice that he would introduce certain rules for the regulation of parliamentary procedure, which he claimed should be made urgent. After tins business, the House adjourned. (Received January 24, 12.30 p.m.)

The Marquis of Salisbury, referring to-day in the House of Lords to the situation in Eastern Europe, stated that neither of the European Powers nor Great Britain would support the claims put forward hy Greece, which he characterised as unheard of. Per Merchant Shipping ami Underwriters’ Association;— London, January 21, Arrived, the Rangitikei, fromTimarn, September 30th. _ - - ■* [.SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION! ] London, January 18. Mr Service has directed Mr Murray Smith to use every endeavor to have Samoa protected from Germany. A largo banquet is being arranged to be given to Mr Murray Smith, AgentGeneral for Victoria, prior to his return to that colony. Ihe Pall Mall Gazette gives every

praisi l to the Marquis of Salisbury for selecting Bishop Moorhoase as a successor to the late Bishop of Manchester. Ihe Agents General will confer with Colonel Stanley on Wednesday regarding the import duly on colonial wines. The steamships of the new GerraanAnstralian line will proceed to Brisbane if allowed to carry a proportion of the emigrants for Queensland. The first steamer of the line will sail in July.

January 19. A thousand French residents of Mauritius have petitioned the French Government for permission to colonise Madagascar.

January 20. Greece and Servia are now busily enrolling their second army reserves. It is currently reported that the Marquis of Salisbury will resign the office of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.