CABLE NEWS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 76, 26 February 1884, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

[Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] [Reuter’s Telegrams.] London, Feb. 23. In the House of Lords to-day, Earl Derby, Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reply to a question, confirmed the previous announcement that the Government had decided not to introduce the Australasian Federation Bill until the various Colonies had passed measures providing for Federation. In the House of Commons yesterday, the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne was again under consideration and finally adopted. Sir H. B. W. Brand has formally resigned the Speakership of the House of Commons. The negotiations which have been proceeding for some time past between the envoys of the Transvaal and the British Government for a settlement of the frontier question have now been concluded, a satisfactory understanding having, it is stated, been arrived at. Yielding to the demands of public opinion as expressed by the Press and otherwise throughout Great Britain, the Government has appointed a Royal Commission to report upon the housing of the poor in London and suburbs, and to devise means for the amelioration of their condition should that be found necessary. The catalogue at Thursday’s wool-auction comprised 10,700 bales. The market was steady, but the demand was not active. At Friday’s auction good competition was experienced at full current rates; 10,700 bales were offered. Since the opening of the series 9,000 bales have been withdrawn from sale. The catalogue at to-day’s auction comprised 10,700 bales. The tone of the sale was firm. (Received Feb. 25, 2.40 p.m.) In the House of Lords to-day Earl Derby, Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reply to a question, confirmed the previous announcement that the Government has decided not to introduce the Australian Federation Bill until the various Colonies have passed a measure providing fcr Federation. Cairo, Feb. 23. The garrison at Tokar have yielded to the rebels. Telegrams to hand from Souakim announce that messages had been received there from the Governor of Tokar stating that, being without food and finding that it was impossible to further prolong the defence of the town, which for some days previously had been closely invested by the enemy, he had been compelled to accept the terms offered by the Arab besiegers, and had agreed to surrender the town to them. The telegrams further state that one-half the garrison had submitted to the rebel leader, but that the remainder had become fugitives. Nothing is yet known as to the manner in which the non-combatant inhabitants had been treated by the adherents of the Mahdi. Evening. The latest news to hand from Souakim states that Major-General Graham, Admiral Hewitt, and Baker Pasha have gone to Trinkitat, where they will await orders from tne British Government before making any movement of the forces under their command.