TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 349, 3 February 1881, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. London, Jan. 27. Consols remain at 90|. New Zealand securities are unchanged . The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is L 13,750,000. Adelaide and New Zealand breadstuffs and Australian tallow are without quotable change, Jan. 28. The total quntity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,340,0c0 quarters. Australian tollow, best beef, 35s 6d ; best mutton, 38s. Four and a half per cent New Zealand 10-4 o loan, 99£. Best Scotch pig iron, No. 1, f.o.b. is Clyde, 52s 6d. Best Australian leather, lo|d. The debate in the House of Commons on the second reading ofthe Irish Coercion Bill was resumed to-day. Mr Gladstone made a lengthy speech during the evening in the course of which he reminded the House that increase of agrarian outrage and the Land Leage had progressed together, and were strongly connected. The coercive measures which Government propose to adopt aimed solely at the punishment of evil-doers and abettors in agitation. The debate was again furthe r adjourned

In the House of Commons last evening the debate on the second reading of the Irish Coercive Bill giving the Viceroy power until October, 1882, to arrest and detain all persons guilty or suspected of treasonable conduct, and to limit the sale and possession of arms, was commenced. Several members spoke during the evening, but the chief speaker was the Hon John Bright, President of the Board of Trade, who addressed the House in strong terms of justification of the action of Government in proposing coercive measures for the repression of the prevailing disorder in Ireland. The debate now stands adjourned to next sitting. It is cuerently stated in Russian and other political circles, that in vLw of the success of General SkobelofTs expedition against the Te-kke Turcomans, and the retreat of the latter from GeokTepe, the Russian Government is now averse to continuing the campaign, and that further hostilities will not be proceeded with.

The butter brought by the steamer Protos has realised one shilling per pound, the total return showing a large profit. From the fresh meat, after payment of all charges, there is a profit of fully Llooo. Paris, Jan. 27. At to-day’s sitting of the French Senate a Bill giving the power to grant bounties to French shippers was finally discussed and agreed to.

Capetown, Dpc. 26

. Telegrams are to hand from Natal, stating that news has been received from ‘ the Transvaal that a successful sortjfy , has been made by the British troops*/ from Pretora. The Boers’ laager was captured, and heavy loss was inflicted on them in killed and wounded. News has also been received in Natal frora the Governor, Brigadier-General Sir George Colley, who had reached Ingogo from Newcastle. He states that owing to heavy rains the rivers are swollen, and the advance of his force is for a time prevented. News has been received to-day irom the Transvaal that the rivers have fallen, and the force under General Colly has been able to continue its advance in the Transvaal. Bodies of Boers which were sighted a few days ago were again seen ahead of the line of march, and were apparently preparing to oppose the advance of the eolonial troops. Sir, George Colley at once ordered the artillery to open fire, and the infantry followed up to attack, but the enemy declined an engagement, and retired in haste.

Later

Telegrams from official sources have been received this evening from Natal, announcing a serious British defeat in the Transvaal. The information to hand states that Sit George Colley made an attack in force on the Boer position at Langsneak. Heavy fighting ensued but the enemy offered a strong defence and finally inflicted a severe repulse on the colonial forces, which were compelled to retire with heavy loss in killed and wounded. Sir George has now decided to await expected reinforcements from England and India, before resuming (he Boers. I-**lner news to hand from the Transvaal states that in the defeat at Languey Sir George Colley’s force had 190 rank and file killed, and 5 officers killed and 8 wounded.