LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 3122, 4 November 1886, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AQU.] London, OctWr 21. The opening meeting of the newlyelected Sobranje will take place on Ist November. Effendi, who has been despatched to Bulgaria hy the Porte, with the object of effecting a settlement between Russia and Bulgarin, is cordially co-operating with General Kaulbars, the diplomatic represeniatifje of Russia. It is understood that Get tunny and Austria have mutually agreed to decline to recognise the legality of the recent Sobranje elections, provided that the Russian Government consent to give an adequate guarantee that they will not attempt to occupy Bulgaria. The German and Austrian Press discredit a rumour which has gained currency that Russia and Turkey have arrived at an agreement under which the latter power is to be permitted to occupy Roumelia, and Russia is to be allowed to fortify the Dardanelles, the Russian Government at the same time commuting the old war indemnity owing by Tmkey in respect of the Kusso-Turkiah war, and agreeing to recognise the integrity of Turkey. That portion of the alleged agreement which relates to the Russian fortifications of the Dardanelles, the commutation of the war indemnity, and the recognition of ihe'intpgrity of Turkey by Russia, is ridiculed and regarded as so improbable as to furnish in itself proof that the report is a mere canard. It is estimated that - the receipts iu connection with the Colonial and Indian Exhibition will show a surplus of £60,000 over the expenditure. October 22. It is announced that Russian spies have been discovered making an inspection of Chitral Pass, about 120 miles north-east of Cahul, which forms one of the easiest routes from the Oxus through the Hindoo Koosh mountains into Afghanistan. The military railway io course of construction by the Russian authorities to Merv is now completed as far as Sarakhs, thirty miles from the terminal point. Several of the French journals publish a report that the health of the Emperor William of Germany is in a precarious condition. The German press contradict the statement. October 24. An apprehension of war in Europe is still abroad. It is asserted that Turkey and the Powers genrally distrust England. The Times (London) deplores the dead-look that has occurred, and urges that the longer the solution of rho | difficulty is de'ayvd the more difficult it will be to effect a satisfactory settlement. It declares that the extensive preparations for war that are being made by Russia in a sinister fashion are ominous of a resolve to fight. Taking all the circumstances into account, the Times says that the peace of Europe is simply at the mercy of an accident, which General Kaulbars, the late diplomatic lepreseutative of Russia in Buigaria, is apparently onheavonring to hasten forward. Sir Hercules Robinson has started for Mauritius. Mr Henoiker Heaton and Mr Randolp Want have formed a Company, called the Pacific Cable Extension Company. The. business of the Company will consist in the c instruction of a cable line from Vancouver’s Island, off the coast of British Columbia, to Brisbane. The capital of the Company is to be £2,000,000. A.mong the Directors are Sir Win. Clarke, Sir Samuel Wilson, Messrs James Correy, C. M Young, and H. G. Reid, M.P. A now paper called the Gazette is announced in New York. [special to press association.] London, October 28. The Queen will lay the foundation stone of the Imperial Institute on June 28th. The Emigration Bureau has announced that it is willing to accept the Trade and Labour Councils’ reports from the colonies. Females constitute one-eighth of the number of the first gang of recidivistes to be sent to New Caledonia, the average number of offences being fifteen. Sir Andrew Clarke has given a donation of £SOOO towards the Imperial Institute Fund. The capital of the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company has been subscribed two-fold. Tho Admiralty have consented to survey the route of the proposed Pacific cable from Vancouver to Sandwich Islands. H.M.S. Nelson will b« recalled shortly, as she is too large to bo docked

on the station. H.M.S. Northampton will probably replace her. October 29. The Irish Patriotic Union is appealing to the colonies for assistance. The Kaboonga Mins, Gympie, Queensland, with a capital of a quarter of a million, is announced. The immense statue of “ Liberty,*' presented to America by M. Barstoldi, has been formally dedicated in New York. October 31. The Times slatra that a wholly fictitious value has been placed on many of the Queensland mines in order to influence the market. Owing to a warning issued by Government, the premium on the shares of several mining companies has declined considerably. Sir P. 0. Owen and the Kensington Exhibition circle will be totally excluded from the control of the Imperial Institute. Mr Chas. Nieofls, in a letter to the Daily News, urges the Hon. S. W, Griffith, Colonial Secretary of Queensland, to indicate to the English public which are the doubtful mines in Queensland. M. Waddington, the French Ambassador, in an interview with Lord Iddesleigb, warned him of the growing irritation over the English occupation of Egypt. The French deficit is 22,000,000 francs (£880,000). The statement that Sir P, 0. Owen would sever his connection with the Exhibition in December is without foundation. It is considered probable that the French Consul-General in Australia will be asked to supervise French interests in connection with the Jubilee Exhibition, and it is stated that a small sum is likely to be expended for the collection of French wor ks of art. Another Goldmining Company at Charters Towers has been announced, with a capital of £75,000. The Imperial Institute Committee are discussing the question of erecting permanent buildings at Kensington on the lines of the British Museum. The Earl of Rosebery, in a manifesto, urges the friends of federation to induce the colonial Governments, Parliaments and the Press, to co-operate in adopting the Federal proposals which the Imperial Government intend to submit to them. Mr E. Stanhope has resigned the position of Vice-President of the Federation League. November 1. Thirty thousand workmen in Charleroi, Belgium, have demanded universal suffrage.