London.

Manawatu Herald, 11 August 1896, Page 2

London.

The Times states that Lord Salisbury has asked for a definite agreement concerning Crete, and that M. Nelidoff, Eussian Ambassador at Constantinople, is consulting with Prince Lobanoff, the Bussian Foreign Minister, in the matter. A bomb was placed among certain goods consigned to Mr Avery, the well-known scalemaker of Birmingham, but fortunately it missed fire. The motive for the outrage is believed to be personal revenge. The following will comprise the Parliamentary Committee of Enquiry into the Chartered Company's affairs and the Transvaal raid : — Sir Michael Hicks-Beach (Chancellor of the Exchequer), Mr J. C. Bigham, Q.O, Mr E. Blake, Q.C., Mr Sydney Biixton (late Parliamentary Secretary to the Colonial Office), Mr Chamberlain (Secretary of State for the Colonies), Mr C. A. Cripps, Q.C., Sir W. Hart Dyke, Mr John E. Ellis, Sir W. Harcourt (exChancellor of the Exchequer), Mr W. L. Jackson, Mr Henry Labouchere, Sir B. E. Web3fcer (AttorneyGeneral), Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man (ex- Secretary of State for War), Mr J. L. Wharton, Mr G. Wyndham. The Committee consists of eif»ht Conservatives, six Liberals, and one Liberal-Unionist. The Queen gives a medal to the islanders of Ushant in recognition of their assistance in searching for. the bodies of those lost in the wreck of the Drummond Castle. Gaudaur has acoepted the 7th September as the date for his sculling match with Stanbury on the Thames for £1000 and the championship of the world, and has sailed from Canada for England. In the House of Lords, in committee on the Irish Land Bill, an amendment moved, by Viscount Templeton, to the effect that the Land Commission shall supply to the landlords the reasons which influence it in making reductions in rents, was carried by a majority of 58 votes. Further, the House adopted, by a majority of 47, an amendment tabled by Lord Cloncurry, adhering to the limit of fair rent being £50, instead of £100. The Government defeat in the House of Lords, by the amendments to the Irian Land Bill being carried, will, it is believed, seriously embarrass the Premier, and place the measure in jeopardy. The Irish Land Bill has passed through committee. . It is believed that the Upper Chamber will not insist on its amendments. The Times, referring to the prospect of a compromise, says the landlords must recognise that the Government has conceded much, and that it cannot accept discredit or failure. The China Association has entertained Li Hung Chang at a banquet. In replying to the toast of his health he referred to the remarkable recognition extended toward him, and the tokens of British friendship, and spoke of the necessity for the extension of commercial relations between Great Britain and China. Li Hung Chang laid a wreath on General Gordon's statue in Trafalgar square, and he and his suite bowed reverently daring the ceremony. Afterwards, in presence of the boys from the Gordon Home, the Chinese Viceroy placed a wreath on Gordon's cenotaph in St. Paul's, with the inscription, Jl To a soldier and friend of China, a tribute of respect" New Zealand frozen meat and hemp quotations are unchanged. The English wheat market is quiet, but there is steady business ; the Continental is dull, while American is advancing continuously. The adverse crop reports from the States have caused the hardening tendency. Tallow is unchanged. Oats, fine quality, 24s 6d; common, 21s 6d; beans, 275.