CABLEGRAMS. EUROPEAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 72, 18 October 1884, Page 3

CABLEGRAMS. EUROPEAN.

London, Oct. S.— Consols remain at 101&. New Zealand securities- -5 per cent. 10.40 loan, 104 ; 5 per cent. ISB9 loan, 105* ; 4.} per cent. 1579-1904 loan, 100.^ ; 4 per cent, inscribed stock, 104£. The market rate of discount has advanced to 2J per cent., and is now a quarter above the bank rate. Colonial breadstuff's — Adelaide wheat, ex store, 36s : New Zealand do, 31s to 345, according to quality ; Adelaide flour, ex store, 255. Tallow — Australian, average quality beef, 33s 6d : mutton, 33s Gd. London, October 9.— The "Standard" to-day publishes the following as the Government scheme of re-distribution : — The Bill assigns to English counties 231 members ; to boroughs, 229 members ; to Welsh counties, IS members; and to Welsh boroughs, 12 members; to Scottish counties, 36 members ; to Scottish boroughs, 32 members ; to Irish counties, two members for each ; and all Irish boroughs whose population is under 10,000 will be merged into the counties. The city of London will be represented by one member to every j SO, OOO inhabitants. In its issue to-day, the "Times" announces that the Imperial Government have definitely resolved to adopt stiingent measures to put a stop to the encroachment of territory in Bechuanaland by the Boers, •and prevent a continuance of their present lawless treatment of natives in that district. Sir James Anderson, of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, in a letter to the " Times," says the Company would not be able to reduce the present cable tariff \rithout involving serious loss. A Hamburg firm has contracted to supply the German navy with coal at New Britain, in the Marshall Islands. Commodore Erskine has been instructed to proclaim a British protectorate over the southern shores of New Guinea and the islands immediately adjacent. This step has been taken in accordance with Mr Gladstone's reply to the question asked on the subject by Sir William McArthur in the House of Commons on the 11th of August last. London, October 10.— The English and German Governments are now discussing the question of appointing a mixed Convention to adjudicate on conflicting claims of the English and German subjects at Angro Pequena, on the West Coast of Africa. The French authorities are boarding English merchant steamers both at Amoy and Formosa. The Chinese have been defeated at Loo Chung by the French. Their loss is estimated at 1,000, while that of the French was 25. London, October 10.— The Tongariro has arrived with her meat in splendid condition. Prime New Zealand mutton is realising 6^d per lb. An important conference, attended by numerous British and colonial representatives, sat to-day to consider affairs in South Africa. Among the principal speakers were Sir William McArthur and the Right Hon. W. 1). Forster, both of whom strongly urged that the Imperial Government should take steps to enforce the provisions of the Convention concluded with the Transvaal Republic in I SSI. The Willauie Pastoral Company, Adelaide, has been projected with a capital of half-a-million. The "Standard" explains that the re^ distribution scheme published by it was only one of several that is at present before the Cabinet. It is currently reported that a conference on matters relating to the Congo will be held in Berlin in November. Commander Hamilton, of H.M.S. Hercules, has been appointed to the command of H.M.S. Nelson. London, October 10.— The announcement that a British protectorate is forthwith to be established over a portion of New Guinea is now fully confirmed. Commodore Erskine has been ordered to proclaim a protectorate over the southern coasts oi the island, eastward of 141 degrees longitude, as well as over the islands adjacent to the British coast of New Guinea. The British Government have, however, decided that for the present settlement in the territory of the islands shall be prohibited. London, October 12. — Major-General Scratchley has received the appointment of High Commissioner of New Guinea. The English press approves the selection. The damage done[to the Parliament Building in Quebec by the recent explosion of dynamite is so serious that fully half of the building will have to be rebuilt. The Powers have accepted the invitation of the German Government to hold a conference in Bei'lin for the purpose of discussing matters relating to the settlement of the Congo. M. Herisson. having resigned the portfolio of Minister of Commerce in the French Ministry, will be succeeded by M. Rouvier, who held that portfolio in the Gambetta Cabinet in 18bl. The English hop crop is estimated at 415,000cwt. London, October 13.— Canada offers the Cape Government men and money if the Imperial Government refuse to assist them in stopping aggressions by the Boer 3. The Marquis of Salisbury and Lord Kelso say that it is unlikely the Lords will recede from the position taken up by them in regard to the Franchise Bill. They consider that neither portion of the proposed reforms will be operative or have any legal effect if passed separately. The redistribution scheme published by the "Standard" utterly effaced thb representation of the rural population. The Marquis of Hartington has admitted that the scheme published by that paper was drafted by a committee of the Cabinet. The French fleet have been prevented from entering Tamsui on account of torpedoes having been laid across the entrance to the harbour, and in consequence of this they have blockaded that port. Information from Capetown statos that the Cape Government have annexed the Franskei. London, October 13. — The cargoes of frozen mutton ex Northumberland and Tongariro have been landed in good condition, and are realising current rates. The English Government agree to the proposal of the German Government that a conference of delegates of the Powers interested should be held in Berlin next month to consider the best means to secure freedom of commerce on the Congo and Niger Rivers. It is reported that two large armies of rebels are marching on Dongola. London, October 14. — An official^yellow book issued in Paris shows that France and Germany have agreed to propose to the projected conference that the Congo and Niger rivers should be treated like the Danube. London, October 14.— The Committee appointed by the Council of the University of Adelaide for the purpose of selecting a Professor of Music have received six applications privately, including one from Mr J. Kendrick Pyne, organist of Manchester Cathedral. The Committee have decided to advertise for a professor before making &ny selection,

London, October 14. — Arrangements had been made for a Conservative meeting at Birmingham last evening, and Sir Stafford Northcote and Lord Randolph Churchill were present with the object of delivering addresses, but owing to the organised opposition of the Birmingham Liberals the meotiag ended in serious disorder. The Liberals had gathered in -strong numbers at the meeting, and refused to allow the speakers a hearing, and tho disturbance increased until violence was used on both sides. Many of those present were injured before the rioters could be dispersed. Sir Stafford Northcote and Lord Randolph Churchill narrowly escaped being- mobbed and maltreated. Mr Romilly, Deputy High Commissioner in the Western Pacific, will take temporary charge of New Guinea until the arrival of Major-General Scratchley. The British Government hope, with the Queen's prerogative and the Foreign and Jurisdiction Act, to be able to create a competent jurisdiction. They also desire to tx'eat the colonies as a consulting committee on matters relating to that island. The "North German Gazette" is of opinion that the limited protectorate established by England over New Guinea will result in representations being mado by Germany, and it also expects that further representations in regard to other portions of the Pacific where English and German interests clash will be made. The moat by the Tongariro is now selling at 6M to 7d per lb, and the prospects of tho market appear capital for all arrivals before Christmas. Messrs Hirsch, Spindler and Co., merchants, of London and Sydney, have been adjudicated bankrupts. Eight Nihilists, including Vora Filipava, who were arrested for being concerned in various Nihilistic plats, have been sentenced to death. Paris, October 9. A despatch has been received from Tonquin stating that an engagement has taken place between the Chinese troops, number600 men, and tho French troops under General Negier. The action lasted for five hours, when the Chinese fled, having suffered heavily from the French fire. General Negier lost 21 men killed and 50 wounded, and was himself wounded slightly. Berlin, October 10.— The German Government have invited the Powers interested to send delegates to a conference to be held in this city in November next, to consider the best means to secure freedom of commerce on the Congo and Niger Rivers, in West Africa. Rome, October 9. — A cyclone of unusual force passed over the island of Sicily yesterday, and did an enormous amount of damage. Its effects were felt most severely at Cantania, a town on the east coast, and hundreds of the inhabitants have been killed and wounded. Hong Kong, OctoberlO. Later intelligence from Formosa shows that the report of the occupation of Tamsui by Admiral Lespes is incorrect. The town is still in the possession of the Chinese troops, and the French bombardment is continued daily. The local forces are strongly entrenched in the neighbourhood af Tamsui, and all efforts to dislodge them liave as yet proved unavailing. Hongkong, October 14. Intelligence has been received here that an the Sth inst. a considerable French force landed at Tamsui, Formosa. A severe angagement with the Chinese ensued, in which the French suffered heavy loss, and ivere compelled to withdraw and return to their ships in port. A London telegram gives the following version of the engagement :— 6OO French ;roops at Tamsui were led into an ambuslade, when twenty of their number wore dlled and beheaded. The remainder maniged to return to their ships in safety. The French have promised not to molest Shanghai if their countrymen are not uolested. Cairo, October S. o;>man Digna has retired from Souakim, md abandoned the attacks on the town. The neighbourhood is now free from hostile Arabs. News, however, has been received from the inland districts of Northern Nubia stating that Osman Digna has been harassing friendly tribes, and has massacred large numbers ot women and chiklrev belonging to them. Cave, October 10.— The Transvaal Government have decided to withdraw its protection from Montisor, the native chief who, Eor some time past, has been prosecuting hostilities against Boers in Bechuanaland. Cairo, October 11. Telegrams have been received from the Mudir of Dongola giving details of the treacherous massacre of Colonel Stewarts party by Arabs at Wad-el-Homar. The Mudir states that the whole party were not killed, and that the lives of 14 of them were spared by the Arabs who held them prisoners. General Lord Wolseley has ordered the Mudir'a troops at Merawai, a town thirty miles below the Fourth Cataract of the Nile, to rescue or ransom the prisoners. Cairo, October 12. The steamer Massifhera, which was despatched in advance up the Nile with a cai'go of cables and other gear, to be used by the boats of the Nile expedition in making the passage of the cataracts with troops, has arrived at Dongola. Cairo, October 13. Rumours have reached here to the effect that Colonel Stewart was not killed at Wad-el-Hhomar, but is a prisoner in the hands of the Arabs. Lord Northbrook, who is now in Upper Egypt, is indisposed, and is returning hither. Quebec, October 11. — Two explosions of dynamite occurred outside the Parliament buildings to-day. The edifice was considerably damaged, and several workmen who were in the neighbourhrod were injured. Nothing is yet known as to the cause of the explosion.