NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 53, 4 January 1895, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

HOME AND FOREIGN. . London, December 30. Lord Randolph Churchill’s condition shows a slight improvement, but it is believed to bo of only a temporary character. London, December 31. At a meeting of the British Broken Hill Company, it was resolved to reduce the capital to £261,000 by cancelling £1 on £5 shares, and 32s on £2 shares.

Mr McKerrow proposes to form a company with a capital of £300,000 to establish direct steam service between Manchester and Australian ports. Mr Gladstone, replying at Hawarden to a deputation of Armenian delegates, said that in 1876 the Sultan denied the atrocities in Bulgaria, which were afterwards proved in evidence. His prevarication on that occasion pointed to the conclusion that the massacres in Armenia were a repetition of what had occurred in Bulgaria. The Turks were a scourge to the world by their misdeeds. He had personally seen their territory reduced by one half, which, he claimed, was God’s decree against cruelty and injustice, If the present reports were true, the Government were a disgrace to civilisation and a curse to mankind. London, January 1. Lord Randolph Churchill is slightly better, and hopes are entertained of his recovery. The P. and O. steamer Chusan encountered a severe storm in the Bay of Biscay. Heavy seas swept the decks, killing one seaman and injuring several others. Eight persons were burned to death owing to a city laundry catching fire. The revenue collected in the United Kingdom for the year shows a general revival in trade.

There is a good demand for the Tasmanian loan,' -which is now quoted at 21 per cent premium. Rome, December 80. A serious outbreak of typhoid fever is reported from Syracruse, in Sicily. Rome, January 1. The Pope has appointed Bishop John O’Reilly, of Port Augusta, to succeed the late Dr Reynolds as Archbishop of Adelaide. St. Johns, December 30. Cook, the manager, and four directors of the Commercial Bank of Newfoundland, have been arrested on a charge of submitting a false balancesheet, by including among the assets securities mortgaged to the London and Westminster Bank to meet advances. The commission set up to enquire into the depression recommends the Government to endorse 30 per cent of the Commercial Bank’s notes and 85 per cent of those of the Union Bank. Ottawa, Jonuary 2. The late Sir J. S. D. Thompson, Premier of Canada, whose body was brought from England on board H.M.S. Blenheim, was buried yesterday at Halifax, the obsequies being the occasion of a most impressive scene. ' • Calcutta, December 30. Colonel Mercer, with GOO men and a number of guns, destroyed the defences of the Waziris at Guaraloot, and by explosions levelled the towers and walls at Savam. Only a few on the side of the British were wounded. The Indian Legislative Council has adopted the import and excise cotton duties. Singapore, December 81. The dismissal of Governor Laneshau, of Indo-China, has caused a sensation. It was the outcome of the newspaper blackmail scandals. Documents found in the possession of the imprisoned editors proved his complicity in certain transactions. • St. Petersburg, January 2. The Czar’s amnesty lightened and commuted the sentences of 20,000 prisoners. In many cases prisoners when released had to face starvation, and in order to be returned to prison committed offences, and were condemned to serve the unexpired portions of their sentences. Melbourne, December 81.

Mason, who was in custody on a charge of causing the death of his brother at Carlton on Christmas Eve, was discharged by the coroner’s jury. The chemical works of Felton, Grinwade and Co, situated at Port Melbourne, have been destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at £13,000, and the insurances amount to £9OOO. The fire brigades were exposed to much danger owing to the explosive nature of the contents of the burning building. The fumes arising from the burning mass of GOO tons of sulphur were overpowering. Melbourne, January 1. The half-year’s revenue has fallen £61,009 short of the Treasurer’s estimate. Sydney, December 81. A Board of Advice, comprising six members, representing the chief industries of the colony, will probably be appointed to assist the Minister of the new Industrial Department. Including loan moneys, there is close upon two millions of cash in banks to the credit of the Government. The Colonial Treasurer states that the financial position of the colony is so much stronger that it is doubtful whether the Government will pass a loan at all.

The notice of redaction given to the miners in tbe Seahara and Wallseud collieries, which expires to-day, has been extended for another fourteen days. The He ton miners, numbering 240, have already struck against the reduction.

Hodart, January 1. Exceptionally cold weather has been experienced for this time of the-year. Mount Wellington and other mountains in the country are covered with snow. This is the first time for 30 years that snow, has been known to fall in December.