CABLE NEWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 246, 14 March 1888, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

London, March 7. Mr Pearson, who brought home the South Australian rubies, states that a powerful syndicate have offered to purchase the Macdonnell Company's ruby mines in Australia. Tho syndicate offer one-half of the amount to be paid in cash, and the remainder in shaves. The decision of the company is awaited.

Londox, March 7. SirF. D. 8011, the Agent-Goneralfor New Zealand, has received fifty applications for the Chief Commis^ionership of the Railway Hoard, which the late session in New Zealand decided should take control of the Now Zealaml railways. The selection will be made shortly.

Loxnov, March 7. Sir James F. Ciarrick, Agent-General for Qucenslaiul, is urging upon the Imperial Government thufc a sovereignty over the New Hebrides should be proclaimed. Lord Knutsford (Sir Henry Holland), Sccietavy of State for the Colonies, has replied tlr.it shortly an entire protectorate will be proclaimed.

LoM'ox, .March 8. Lord Chakl-k* Bkiu:«kok», speaking at the United Service Institute, said that the English Navy was quite unablo to defend British trade, and that the whole system was utterly rotten. His Lordship expressed the opinion thnt the mercantile marine would render valuable assistance in the event of war.

Loxdon, March 9. In supporting Bartleot's motion for a military commission of inquiry Lord Eandolpli Churchill denounced the extravagance and inefficiency of the War Office. Stanhope vigorously replied. On behalf of the Government he consented to the Commission limiting the inquiry to organisation. Latest reports regarding the Crown Prince's health are of a favourable nature. The French military journals are constantly insulting the Italian King and nation.

Los uos, Mavch 9. The Lauoma, from Launceston to London, has gone ashore in the English Channel. She quickly broke up. Seven of the crew were lost. The Lanoma left Launceston for London on 23rd December last. She was an iron barque of 1,146 tons burden, and is commanded by Captain Whittingham. She was built at Sunderland in 1876 by S. P. Austin and Hunter for T. B. Walker of London, by whom she has been employed in the colonial trade. The following is the text of the letter writtea by Her Majesty the Queen to the sister of the late General Gordon at the time of the latter's death. The letter is dated February, ISBS, and is published in Miss Gordon's book " Memoirs of General Gordon": — "I thought your dear noble brother served his country heroically. His example of self-sacrifice has proved edifying to the world. That he was nob rescued in the face of the pibmise of support made him, I have felt very deeply. I constantly pressed those who sent him to Khartoum to fulfil their promise, and send him help in time. Their promise was not fulfilled, and I have experienced more grief than I can express. It has made me thoroughly iil. My heart bleed?, and I keenly feel the stain ca,st upon England through his cruel fate." The Marquis of Hartington, speaking at Ipswich, said it was impossible for the Gladstone Liberals and the Unionist Liberals to reunite, and the latter would be obliged to constitute a third party. He admitted that the Liberal Unionists could not stand alone, and he was nob ashamed at the alliance which had been entered into with the Conservatives. The attacks on the Crimes Act had entirely failed, and Ireland could afford to wait until the experience of the Government should show them that local government might be extended to her.

Constantinople, March 6. The Porte has sent a note to Prince Ferdinand to the effect that his election to the Bulgarian Throne is illegal. Constantinople, March 7. It is stated that the Black Sea Shipping Go's iieeti have been ordered to equip immediately for warlike purposes?.

Berlin, March 6. The Prince of Wales has returned to this city from San Remo.

San Remo, March 5. The Crown Prince is now slightly better, and has been allowed to walk in the gardens, this being the first time he has been out since the operation was performed upon him.

Adelaide, March 9. The directors of the MacDounell Kuby Mine Company have , accepted the offer of the English capitalists to purchase the mines, subject to the decision being confimed by the shareholders. &ÜBIES have been found in the •Broken Hill district. Two pounds weight of the precious stones were picked up in a short time near Poola.macca, and rough tests proved that satisfactory, though the colour is not «o deep as in che Macdonnell stones. Broken Hill shares ate up to in this city, and are quoted at .£4OO in Sydney and Melbourne.

JBvKisßAji'K, March 9. The Rockhampton harbour-waster, who. went out in «e»rch of 'tire ship Eastpaj[n»ter .#a& J^gajjime'Kiitp, hjife •returned. He reports, finding a quantity of wreckage el A"c}i*iiw^r leading him to believe the Kastminster had •capsized and foiuidered. „

MasLiKTcrcixE, March 10. Mr Deakin has receivccl a conmiuui«ation from the Royal Society, euclonvAg ft -nesclutiow i)ABeed at) the *mvkd 6teethi^ adview?^ 1 A tbe Aus-

tralian Governments to refuse to allow the introduction of a disease for the destruction of rabbits. Jn the match against Yornon's team the Englishmen have scored 96 for the loss of eight wickets. Vernon is not out with 31, while Eead has made 2*JL mid Newton 14. There was rain, which caused delay in starting the match. The Government, after long consultation, have resolved to oiler colonial firms the manufacture of fifty locomotives at ,£3,000 each. This is above the English price, and below the lowest tender. The offer is said not to be looked upon with favour, thn margin being considered insufficient in view of the rise in copper, and the possibility of a further rise in the event of war. It is announced that, in view of the removal of prohibition on importation ot stock, the various colonial Governments have combined to pay an experb, uhoso duty it w ill be to inspect all stock shipped at London for Australia, and advise the Governments in event of unhealthy animals being shipped. All the colonies except Now South Wales approved of the proposed inspection by an Imperial officer. Mr Gillies is pressing Sir Honry Parkes bo agree. The men who were arrested on a charge of being concerned in the second caso of a criminal assault committed on a woman were brought before the City Court to-day. The evidence proved that the woman was given to drunkenness, and was a bad character. Io was also proved that tho woman could nob identify any of the mon in custody, bub the Magistrate committed two of the accused for trial at the next ciiminal session and acquitted the third.

Sydney, March 8. The police are taking steps to prevent the prize fight which has been arranged between Burke and Foley. The police also intend that in the future no fights to a finish will be allowed. A man named Cross, who was running consultations on horse-racing under the name of W, Miller, has been arrested on the grounds that numerous investors complained that the originator of the sweeps could not bo found. "Wken Cro»s was searched, letters enclosing post-office orders, bank notes, and cheques from all parts of New Zealand and Australia wore found upon him.

Sydney, March 10. The local press condemns the action of the Government in forcing the police to prosecute persons selling newspapers on Sundays, and declares that the sale of tramway and railway tickets must now, under the recent judgment of the Court, be stopped.

Sydney, March 12. The German residents in the various colonial capitals intend to hold solemn religious ceremonies in memory of the late Emperor of Germany.

Adelaide, March 10, Owing to the large exodus of farmers from here to Victoria, the Government had been urged to advertise that suitable districts in the south-eastern portion of the colony and elsewhere are still open to agriculturists. Some of the evidence taken by the Land Commissioners who were requested to make inquiries into the position of the farmers, shows that privations of a most pitiable character have been undergone.

Melbourne, March 12. Under the new Licensing Act a local ootion poll was demanded by the residents of Port Melbourne, which resulted by a majority of eighty-one in a reduction of the hotels by one-half. The master ironworkers of the colony intend to ask the workmen to consider the offer made by the Government of New South Wales regarding the manufacture of locomotives in the colony, as the offer can only be taken up if the men consent to a reduction in wages. The masters state that they will be content with 5 per cent, profit, and mako the engines for £3,263 each. On a former occasion the men refused to consent to a reduction. Flag 3 here are all at half mast out of respect; to the Emperor of Germany, and at noon to-day minute guns were fired. Brisbane, March 12. The horse disease is pronounced not to be contagious, and is due to heat and damp.