BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2694, 7 November 1881, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Reuter’s Agency.j Irish Affairs. London, Nov. 2. News is to hand from Ireland that riots of a serious nature occured to-day at Belmullet, a small seaport town on

Blacksod Bay, County Mayo, in consequence of the action of the authorities in collecting the poor rates, A strong body of police escorting a tax collector were attacked by a mob of people. The police fired upon them and a few of the latter were injured. The Irish Land Commission is overladen with business. Fresh cases for the decision of the Commissioners are being daily brought forward by both landlords and tenants. Nov. 4. The Irish Land League is advising tenants to apply to the Land Commission for their decision of disputed questions, with the object of creating a deadlock, and thus hampering the work of the Commissioners. Many of the fresh cases which have lately submitted have, it is believed, been only referred to the Commission with a view of obstructing its labors.

Several decisions lately given by the Irish Land sub Commission, sitting at Belfast, have been favorable to tenants, and have in many cases had the effect of largely reducing the present rack rents payable by them on various estates. Anglo-French Trade* Nov. 2. A rumor is current here that the negotiations which have been proceeding for a renewal of the Anglo French commercial treaty have terminated without any satisfactory result being arrived at. The report, however, requires confirmation as, so far as is known, the negotiations have not yet been broken off. Nov. 3. The “ Times ” to day publishes a leading article upon the present aspect of the Anglo-French Treaty negotiations in the course of which it is stated that the difficulty which still exists relates principally to the proposal of the French Government to levy specific duties upon British woollen and cotton manufactures. Paris, Nov. 4. A semi-official statement has been published to the effect that, notwithstanding the suspension of the deliberations which were proceeding between the English and French Treaty Commissioners, it is hoped an exchange of diplomatic communications between the Governments of the two countries may yet result in bringing about a settlement of the points raised by England, and which are still in dispute. The statement adds that the great cordiality which prevailed between the British and French delegates during the progress of the recent negotiations affords grounds for the belief that a definite .settlement of Anglo-French commercial relations may become to at an early date. French Politics* On the meeting of the Chamber of Deputies to day M. Ferry, President of the Council, informed the Chamber that Ministers had deferred for the present tendering their resignations, preferring to meet the proposed vote of censure on their policy in Tunis. The negotiations which have been proceeding during the last few weeks between the French and Italian Governments have resulted in the conclusion of a commercial treaty between the two countries, which was to-day duly signed by the delegates appointed to carry on the negotiations.

Loss of a Lyttelton Grain VesselLondon, Nov. 3.

As the barque Craig Ard, from Lyttelton, was proceeding from London to Hull, with 10,816 bags of wheat on board, she came into collision with the steamer Grimsby. The Craig Ard sank in a short time, having been seriously damaged. All on board were saved. It is not known what damage was sustained by the steamer, English CommercialNov. I. Cononsols have advanced to 99|. New Zealand securities are unchanged. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £10,200,000. Adelaide and New Zealand broad a tuffs and Australian tallow; ..are without quotable change in price. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,760,000 quarters. The leather trade has suffered a decline, and best sides of Australian are now quoted at lid. Best Scotch pig iron, No. 1, free on board in the Clyde, has declined one shilling per ton, and is to-day quoted at 51s. The dividend declared by the London and Chartered Bank of Australia is at the rate of 5 per cent for the year, and not half year as stated in the telegram of the Ist inst. Homeward MailSan Fkancisco, Nov. 2. The Pacific mail steamer City of New York arrived here to day from Auckland with the homeward English mails, one day in advance of her contract time,