LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2907, 22 February 1886, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD LOAN OF £IOO,OOO. THE OCCUPATION OF THE NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS. RELIEF OF THE UNEMPLOYED BY EMIGRATION. OVERLAND MAIL CHARGES FROM CALAIS TO BRINDISI. COMMAND OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. ' SIR C. DILKE TO HIS CHELSEA LIBERAL COMMITTEE. THE COMBINED SQUADRON AND GREECE. (Received February 20, 7.30 p.m.) London, February 19. The Timarn Harbour Board announce a loan of one hundred thousand pounds, at fire per cent., the minimum being fixed at £2lO (?). Tenders will be opened on the Ist of March,

It has keen arranged that the Agents-General of the Australasian Colonies shall have an interview with Ear! Granville, Secretary of State for the Colonies, on Monday next, to discuss the possible occupation by France of the New Hebrides group. An influential deputation waited on Earl Granville to-day in reference to alleviating the piesent distress among the unemployed by means of emigration. Lord Granville, in replying to the representations of the deputation, stated that he was in favour of the State aiding the emigration of workmen to the British Colonies, and added that he hoped for the creation of an Etnigia tion Department. (Received February 20, 9.30 p.m.) Later. Earl Granville, Secretary of State for the Colonies, is bringing pressure to bear on France and Italy with the view to induce them to reduce the proportion charged by them for the conveyance of the inland mails between Calais and Brindisi. (Received February 22, 12.30 a.m.) February 20. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has started for Malta, in order to assume the command of the Mediterranean squadron. Mr Leonard Courtuay has been appointed Chairman of Committees in the House of Commons. At a meeting of the Chelsea Liberal Committee held to-night, Sir C. Dilke, who was present, tendered a full explanation denying his guilt in connection with the recent divorce proceedings. The meeting carried a vote of confidence in Sir Chas. Dilke. The combined squadrons which were despatched to Greece to prevent naval operations on the part of that Power have rendezvoused at Neda (sic), the French fleet alone being absent. [special to press association. I London, February 17. The Agents-General intend to give a banquet to Mr Murray Smith. A statement which had been published in the Oily Press, to the effect that the Gillies Coalition Ministry had resigned, has been corrected by Mr Murray Smith. Mr Murray Smith has protested against Sir P. Cunliffe Owen’s refusal to allow the sale of colonial wines at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, except through Messrs Spiers and Pond, the well-known caterers. February 18. The proposal of Mr Gladstone to postpone dealing with the Home Rule question has given rise to suspicion amongst the Parnellites. Lord Salisbury has made a statement which implies the House of Lords would reject the proposal to grant Home Rule.

[SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE, ]

London, February 4. Germany has approved of France occupying the Society Archipelago, including the island of Raiatea. February 7. The Eastern Extension China and Australian Telegraph Company have undertaken to reduce their charges on general cable messages to 9s 4d per word, a proportionate reduction to be made on Government and press messages. The reduction will not come into operation until Ist July.