London.

Manawatu Herald, 29 March 1892, Page 2

London.

A European syndicate has made proposals to the Sultan of Turkey to complete a railway from Scutari, opposite Constantinople, to Bagdad, on the Tigris. The cost is estimated at £12,000,---000, and the syndicate seek to obtain the interest by drawing gigantic lotteries. A rumour prevalent for some time is confirmed that Sir Edward Watkin, the well-known railway magnate, is about to marry Mrs Herbert Ingram, an old woman of eighty, who has control over a fortune of £800,---000. The Ingram family are vehemently opposing the marriage, and Sir Edward is bringing libel actions for comments of the press upon his action. Most of the English and many American papers consider President Harrison's action mere election bluster. Mr Goschen has promised that the royalties charged in the United Kingdom on gold mining shall be revised. Meanwhile an arrangement will be come to between Mr Morgan Pritchard and the Treasury, which will permit him to resume operation at his Welsh mine. In the action brought by Miss Daisy Hopkins, claiming damages for wrongful imprisonment in the Spinning House against the proproctor of Caius College, Cambridge, evidence damaging to the character of the plaintiff was adduced. A verdict was returned for the defendant. The Parnell-Wood will case., in which Lieutenant - General Sir Evelyn Wood and other members of his family opposed the will of Mrs Wood, the widow of Alderman Wood, of London, under which the bulk of the property was left to Mrs O'Shea (Mrs Parnell), has been satisfactorily arranged. The last will has been proved. The parties have also compromised as to the costs, which amount to £10,000. In settlement of the Parnell* Wood will case, Mrs Parnell surrenders the sum of £60,---000 to Sir Everlyn Wood's family. New Zealand long-berried wheat weaker at 425. Sellers are asking 37s 6d for cargoes on passage. Buyers' offer is less. New Zealand hemp is dull, and none has been disposed of at auctions. Frozen meat generally has declined about an eighth per pound. The balance of the lonic's apples, which are in poor condition, have sold from 5s to 15s per case. Twenty-five boxes of potatoes, ex Matatua, from New Zealand, have been sold at Id per lb. The London Times says that the surplus shown by Mr Goschen will be smaller than was expected, and is unlikely to allow of much reduction in taxation. The Small Holdings Bill was read the second time in the House of Commons without a division. Speaking to the motion, Mr Gladstone characterised the measure as an honest, but only a partial, effort. In the House of Commons the motion tabled by Mr C. Fenwick, M.P. for Wansbeck, providing for the payment of members, was rejected by a majority of 65.