CABLEGRAMS. London, August 9.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 395, 21 August 1889, Page 4

CABLEGRAMS. London, August 9.

A scene of intense excitement and tumult occurred in the House of Commons last night. During the course of a speech Mr Balfour, the Irish Chief Secretary, accused Mr Timothy HarringtoD, the member for West Kerry, of having described the Irish police as " uniformed bloodhounds." Mr Harrington demanded proof of this assertion, to which Mr Balfour merely returned a contemptuous gesture. This deeply incensed Mr Harrington, who .nstantly sprang to his feet and rushed towards Mr Balfour as if intent upon striking him, but he was restrained from personal violence by Mr Pierce Mahony, member for North Meath. Wild excitement prevailed, during which Colonel E. J. Saunderson, the Conservative member for North Armagh, and Mr Thomas Sexton, the Nationalist membei for West Belfast, exchanged personal threats. Describing the scene tbis morning, the " Morning Post " says that it has never been equalled in the history of the House of Commons. London, August 13. It is reported that Sir Jatnes Stephen ha 3 intimated to the authorities that he will resign his position on the Bench in the event of the condemned woman, JMaybrick, being reprieved. Brierley, whose improper intimacy with Mrs Maybrick was brought forward as her motive for poisoning her husband, denies the statement. He has made an affidavit that he c ended £4,000 in defending her duri ig the trial. The Execaiiive have given consideration to the case of Mrs Maybrick. After giving careful attention to the case, the Executive have arrived at the conclusion that they would not be justified in granting areprieve, and the sentence of death will therefore be carried into effect. The execution is fixed to take place on the 27th inst.

According to the " Scottish Highlander, 3 ' the agitation on foot by the crofters has led to a great reduction in their rentals. The Crofters' Commissioners on June Ist completed and forwarded to the Sheriff Clerk at Portree their final orders fixing fair rents and disposing of arrears in Glendale. There are two estates in Glendale, the largest, the property of Dhe Rev. H. A. Macpherson. In 141 cases from this estate the Commissioners have granted an average reduction of 35J per cent, on the rental, and have cancelled 77 per cent, of the arrears. The total rental of the estate has been reduced from £632 to £409. Of £2,884 arrears the Commissioners have cancelled £2,240. On the other Glendale estate, the property of Mr Nicol Martin, of Husabost, 73 crofters have had their rents reduced 37 per cent., and 75 per cent, of their arrear scancelled. The rental has been reduced from £336 7s 2d to £220 4s. Between both estates the total number of cases was 214 and t ■ applicants were in arrears to the amount £4,047, of which the Commie io now cancelled £3,113. , - ,