LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN

Kumara Times, Issue 2954, 19 April 1886, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN

INTELLIGENCE,

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

IRISH LAND PURCHASE BILL

THE GREEK DEMAND,

(Received April 17, 6 p.m.) London, April 16. The Land Purchase Bill was introduced and read for the first time in the House of Commons to-day. The measure provides that the Irish Parliament shall appoint a State authority which shall purchase lands, paying for them in bonds at par, bearing three per cent, interest, the total amount issuable being ,£50,000,000 during three years. The sale price of the lands is to be based on twenty years’ purchase, calculated on a judicial rental of the properties during 1885. Mansions and demesnes are not touched by the bill. The ex-propriation is to be compulsory in the congested districts, and optional elsewhere. (Received April 19, 1.45 a.m.) April 17. The Press generally condemns (he Gladstone scheme for land purchase in Ireland. The Greek Government have formulated a demand for execution by the Great Powers of the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin. [special to press association.] London, April 12. France, Eng'and, and Germany are prepared to settle the difficulties regarding the occupation of the Pacific Islands, hut the negotiations are blocked by ihe opposition offered by the Federal Council and Sir Alexander Stuart. Australian mails ex Orient Co.’s John Elder, which left Melbourne on March sth, were delivered to-day via Naples.

The New Zealand Shipping Go’s Kaikoura sailed for Port Chalmers and Wellington on Saturday night. She calls ac (he Capo en route. The Tariff Committee of the United States Congress recommend that wool should be allowed to be imported into the Stales free of duly. General Ignatieff is of opinion that war between Russia and Austria is not improbable,

It is reported that Signor Depretis, President of the Italian Council has resigned.

Matterson refuses to make any concessions in the sculling matches.

April 14. Sir Charles Dilke, in the course of a lecture on the French action in Madagascar, stat'd that he considered that such action threatened the eastern trade of the Soudan.

It is purposed to place most of the Aldermen of the city of New Toik under arrest for having committed bribery. Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor at tho Cape, will return there in June.

A letter to the Standard stales that the Melbourne Club do not expect to derive any direct pecuniary benefit from the matches between their team and English elevens. Perkins challenges Matterson to vow a match for £2OO a-side on May 24th.

The Australian Mutual Provident Life Association of Australia will shortly open a branch in Cannon street. England has concluded a commercial treaty with Spain.

Lord Loftus has arrived from Aus tralia.

Mr Gladstone’s Horae Rule proposals may pass the Commons by a small majority, but probably will be stranded when in Committee.

The Marquis of Normanby is ill. The Parcel Post arrangements are dormant, pending the arrival of Mr Todd, Postmaster-General of South Austrslia.

The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, are in receipt of the following telegraphic information ; Madeira Sailed, 14th April, the R.M.S. Kaikoura, for Auckland, at 10 a.m, London Sailed, 14th April, ship Palls of Clyde, for Auckland.