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Southland Times, Issue 1713, 11 March 1873, Page 2

0 The arrival of the Alhambra at the Bluff on Friday places us in possession of tbe following: — London, Feb. 19. Wools are lower. Since the opening of the sales, 25,000 bales have baen sold, and 1000 bales withdrawn, chiefly Victorian greasy «orts. Buyers operate cautiously. Mr Helmuth Sehwartze, woolbroker, reports that the result of the sales is more unfavorable than was expected. Australian washed and scoured is l^d to 2d lower than the December closing rates, and greasy sorts 2d to 4d below the prices of last February. London, Feb. 19. Despatches addressed to the Governor of New South Wales on the Fijian question have been presented to Parliament; also a copy of instructions sent to naval officers commanding H.M. ships in Polynesia. The memorial sent home in 1870, praying for the apnexation of Fiji to Great Britain, was refused because the He facto Government had been recognised. I The steamship Northumberland leaves the docks for Melbourne to morrow. The estimated decrease in the army expenditure is £408,100. Paris, Feb. 19. The Committee of Thirty have adopted M. Dufaure's proposal — that the Assembly, before a dissolution takes place, should legislate on the question of transmission of the executive power, and the creation of a second Chamber. The Conservatives intend to demand a dissolution. Madbid, Feb. 19. The Cortes has been convoked as a Constituent Assembly. London, Feb. 20. Coals in London yesterday declined 3a to 4s a ton, but in South Durham they have advanced 2s 6d to 3s per ton. A movement has been commenced in Blackburn, Lancashire, to closf the mills,

in consequence of the clearness and tcarcity of fuel. London, Feb. 21. A Russian loan of 20 millions is likely to be shortly announced. The Spanish War Minister has asked a credit vote, for the purpose of arming the people. The Times says that Federalist views are everywhere predominant in the Spanish provinces. Apprehensions are felt of a revolution in Portugal, and an English fleet has been ordered to the Tagus. Pabis, Feb. 21. A rupture has taken place between the Right and Eight Centre parties in consequence of the vote arrived at on the report of the Committee of Thirty. The two Centres have now coalesced, giving M. Thiers a stable majority. The statement that the fifth milliard of the German War Indemnity was to be paid in July is incorrect. Negotiations are pending which, it is expected, will result in the payment being made in September or November. London, Feb. 22. The American Senate has refused to jrrant a subsidy to Webb's Californian line. Tn a stirring article on the dearth of labor is the Australian colonies, the Times -exhorts the working men to go where prosperity awaits them. The Exhibition Commissioners propose the arrangement of an Australian annexe at a cost of £2,500 (?), each colony to contribute according to its revenue. The use of the Belgian annexe has been granted for this year. Sir Charles Cowper, agent-g#neral for New South Wales, has deposited with the Colonial Office the protest sent home by the delegates of that colony »gainst the decision of the Conference making Melbourne the terminus of the Suez route. The wool sales have been marked by considerable languor, and prices continue to recede. Three postponements have taken place through for (? fog). Feb. 25. Mr Cardwell has, in the House of Commons, introduced the Army Estimates. He intimated in the course of his speech that the 14th section of the Mutiny Act would be expunged, and it was proposed that the soldiers of the British army should receive as their pay s clear shilling a day besides rations. Mr Gladstone, in reply to a question put to him. stated that the Afghan boundary bad been defined according to the best means of information available, and added that the whole matter had been freed from practical difficulty since the River Oxus was made the boundary. A thoroughly accurate survey was impracticable. Paeis, Feb. 22. Great bitterness exists between the Legitimist and Orleanist parties. The Due de Broglie read to the Assembly the report of the Committee of Thirty, advocating joint ministerial and presidential responsibility ; also eulogising M. Tbiers for his administration of power, and advising the creation of a second Chamber, as a counterpoise to the demagogue spirit ; and, in couclusion, urging conciliation in bringing about the required changes. A complete understanding between M. Thiers and the Committee of Thirty has resulted from the adoption of M. Dufaure's proposal. Fob 24. Bishop Dupanloup has advised the Count de Chambord to compromise with the Orleanists, but the count has refused. The Legitimists accuse the Due de Broglie and the Due d'Audiffret Pasquier of treachery. A severe contest is expected in the Assembly on the committee's resolution. Ma.drid, Feb. 22. No European power has yet recognised the Spanish Republic ; and it is a ated that the several Governments are arranging for joint action on the question. Tbe release of the steamer Murillo hy the Spanish authorities is contradicted. Feb. 24. A Ministerial crisis has occurred at Madrid. The Cabinet of Senor Zorilla has resigned, and the formation" of a homogenous Republican Ministry is expected. Symptoms of insubordination have appeared in the Spanish army. Tbe Carlists are masters of Catalonia, and have destroyed tbe railway between Bilbao and Meranda. An outbreak has taken place at Porto Rico. Feb. 25. Great agitation is felt in -Madrid. Armed Federalists occupy several points, and it is feared that a resort will be had to violence. The troops and militia support the Government. A new Ministry has been elected. Lisbon, Feb. 24. The Cortes has passed a bill calling out the reserves. ; Washington, Feb. 25. Congress has passed the Fisheries Bill in conformity with the treaty of Wash, ington. London, Feb. 26. The wool market assumed a better tone yesterday. French buyers are operating freely, but prices remain unchanged. The exports to Australia in 1872 exceeded those in 1871 by four millions sterling, The Government are taking measures to restore to their homes the kidnapped survivors from the brig Carl. Tbe right of search has been retained over vessels bearing the Fijian flag. Mr Sydney Hodges, artist, is paint* ing a testimonial portrait of Sir James Fergusson, to be placed in the Adelaide University. The 'Times states that the stock of grain and flour in London is materially diminishing. Obituary.— Rev. Dr Guthrie.

Arrived. — Osmond Glen, from Adelaide ; Ramsay, from Brisbane. j Feb. 27. The press is criticising the Afghan boundaries because the river Oxus . intersects Badakshan and Wakhan, which have been assigned to the Ameer of Afghanistan. Switzerland has recognised the Spanish Republic. Portugal is quiet. Italy, Austria, and probably the majority of European powers, will ma'ntain relations with Spain until a regular Government is constituted. Madrid is quiet. The ex-King Amadeus remains at Lisbon.