LATEST CABLE NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5235, 3 January 1878, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

(REUTER'S SPECIAL, TO PRESS AGENCY.) London, December 31. Consols are unchanged. The market rate of discount is one-half per cent, below the bank rate. Wool is unchanged. Wheat— Adelaide, 65 to 66 ; New Zealand, 41 to 43. Australian tallow steady. New Zealand hemp steady. Queensland, South Australian, and New Soutli Wales loa-is are quoted at one-half per cent, lower. A Russian semi-official note states that the British Government have intimated to the Russian Government that in the event of certain contingencies arising the national feeling may force England to defend British interests in the East. It is officially stated that Russia is now willing to consider direct Turkish proposals for peace. Mukhtar Pasha has been recalled to Stambonl. An attack by torpedo vessels on the Turkish fleet at Batoum failed. The last Russian bridge on the Danube has broken down; communication between Bulgaria and Roumania has been suspended in consequence. 'The Turkish commander defending Nissa has made proposals to surrender. Count Audrassv, according to the Government organ at Pe-.th, states that Austria has been forced temporarily to join the triple alliance, but will support England the moment she decides upon a resolute policy. The Channel fleet and all war ships under repair have been put into commission and ordered to be ready for sea by the 16th iust. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Sydney, January 1. Charles Bright’s series of Sunday lectures was very successful. He leaves for New Zealand par Austr.-lia on Thursday. The Australian Combined Cricket Eleven leave Melbourne for New Zealand on Thursday. The Assam arrived at Albany at half-past four this afternoon. Passengers for New Zc Hand Mrs. Edward Pearce and two children, Messrs. W. V. Jackson and E. L. Chishold. Dr. Hector makes a valuable donation of publications referring to the geology and natural history of New Zealand to the Linnean Society of Sydney. Trickett declines to row except upon Australian water. He is willing to row Courtenay in the Sydney harbor for £IOOO. The Tatteraall’s races were held to-day. Maiden Plate—Woodlands, 1 ; Mikado, 2 ; Crusader, 3. Tattersall’s Cup—Woolstone, 1; Laertes, 2 ; Colima, 3. Sydney, Wednesday. Trickett characterises the challenge issued in American journals in his name as a forgery. He is prepared to row any competitor in Australian water. It is stated that Courtney’s agent is prepared to negotiate a visit by Courtney to Australia, Arrived—City of New York and Wakatipu. MELBOURNE RACES, Melbourne, Tuesday. Splendid weather and grand attendance. Twenty thousand persons present. The Governor was on the course, HURDLE RACE. Politician ... ... ... ... 1 The two leading horses were disqualified for jostling. TWO-YEAR-OLD STAKES. Bos worth ... ... ... ... 1 Rhoidee ... ... ... ... 2 Warlock 3 Grand race ; won by half a head ; time Imin. 6sec. MIDSUMMER' HANDICAP. Savauaka ... ... ... ... 1 Painter ... ... ... ... 2 Deacon ... ... ... ... 3 Wan easily. Time, 3min. 7sec. ' STEEPLECHASE. Typhoon ... ... ... ... 1 Ararat ... ... ... ... 2 Greystanes ... ... ... 3 THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP. Pardon ... .. ... ... 1 Explosion ... ... ... ... 2 plate. Plunge 1 Hawkeabury ... ... ... 2 Patrician ... ... ... ... 3 Won by half a length. Time, Imin. 40sec. CHAMPION STAKES. First King ... ... ... 1 Cheater 2 Robinson Crusoe ... ... ... 3 Fine race, and won pretty easily ; seven horses started ; time, omiii. 26secs. Good racing. The cricket match, Eleven v. Fifteen of Victoria, resulted in a tie.