London.

Manawatu Herald, 4 May 1895, Page 2

London.

The election of a member of the Honse of Commons for Leeds, the seat rendered vacant by the death of Mr J. L. Gane, took place on Thursday, and resulted in the return of Ml* Lenty, the Liberal candidate, who defeated Mr Power, the Unionist candidate, by a majority of 1141 votes.

In the House of Commons, Mr Shaw-Lefevre has introduced a Bill for the abolition of plural voting. It is identical with the measure brought down laat year, and fixes elections to take place on Saturday. The question of registration is postponed.

Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Sir Edward Grey assured members that the stability of the Hawaiian Republic was recognised without formal enquiry. The Earl of Rosebery, speaking in the House of Lords, said that the vast changes proceeding on the two continents outside Europe would involve the solution of anxious problems in connection with the British foreign policy.

Mr Chamberlain says the OneMan -One- Vote Bill, introduced by Sir W. Harcourt, is au attempt to doctor the electorates.

The Unionist Party will oppose the measure.

It is asserted that the slaughter of the Banffshire's sheep at Deptford will involve the loss of 15s on each of the animals.

The charges of conspiracy against Oscar Wilde and Taylor have been withdrawn, leaving only those of misdemeanour.

Wilde ia now in the witness box. He denies everything, and represents himself as the victim of blackmail.

Taylor swore that he was absolutely innocent of the charge brought against him.

Sir Edward Clarke, counsel for the accused, made an eloquent address to the jury, in which he claimed an acquittal on the ground that the chief witness for the prosecution was a man of questionable reputation. The jury in Wilde and Taylor's oase disagreed, and were discharged. Bail was refused the accused.

The summing up of the Judge, Sir Arthur Charles, was in favour of the prisoners Wilde and Taylor, and His Honor emphasised the fact that several of the witnesses for the prosecution were undoubted black* mailers.