BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2721, 8 December 1881, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Reuter's Agencv.j IL S- CongressWashington, Dec. 5. The Congress of the United States met to-day,but adjourned without transacting other than merely formal business. The delivery of the President’s usual message to the two Houses has been postponed for the present. In the House of Representatives, Mr Eeifer, Republican, has been elected Speaker. A Victorian to the Fore. London, Dec. 5. A Parnellite, who was a candidate for the seat of Londonderry in the House of Commons rendered vacant by the appointment of the Right Hon. Hugh Law to the Lord Chancellorship of Ireland, has retired from the contest. In an address to the electors announcing his retirement, he urges supporters of the Parnellite cause to vote for Sir Samuel W ilson, the Conservative candidate. CommercialConsols remain at 99f. Hew Zealand securities are unchanged at yesterday’s quotations. Adelaide wheat, ex store, remains at 5Gs ; Hew Zealand ditto, 525; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 41s fid ; Australian tallow, best beef, 37s fid ; best mutton, 40s fid. At the wool sale to-day 5800 bales were catalogued. The bidding was steady, but the demand for lots was not active. The mails via Suez and Brindisi which left Melbourne on Oct. 25, were delivered here to-day. An Encounter with !au Arab Slaver. Aden, Dec. 5. News lias reached here of the death of Captain Charles J. Brownrigg, and foui of the crew of Her Majesty’s ship London, a store vessel stationed at Zanzibar, whilst endeavoring to effect the capture of an Arab slave dhow. Captain Brownrigg, in charge of the ship’s pinnace, fully manned, came up with the slaver off the African coast near Zanzibar, and at once attacked her. The crew of the dhow offered a strong resistance, and desperate fighting ensued, resulting in Captain Brownrigg and four of his men being killed and several wo added. The slaves succeeded in beating off the pinnace and escaped.