TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1188, 20 December 1883, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. London, Dec. 14. The Cape loan has been rendered practically unsaleable. Sir William McArthur has written to"the London Chamber of Commerce, inviting them to support the claims of the colonies in respect to their wants, and urging that similar concessions should be granted to them as those given to Spain, The bombardment of certain ports in Madagascar by the French still continues. The announcement of the New Spilth'' Wales loan has caused considerable excitement, and the brokers are " bearing" New South Wales stock, seeking to compel the colony to give a pledge to refraiu from further borrowing next year. There is almost a panic in the stock market, and in one instance Fours were offered at 98. Westgarth's Circular reports that the market is entirely upset,and that New South Wales four per cents have dropped two per cent in price. The brokers threaten to refuse the loan altogether unless it is withdrawn for six months. Dec. 15. The Spectator considers that the decision of the Convention m favor of Federation is a great step in the right direction, and that the scheme is capable of being moulded into a definite practical shape. The convict question is a most serious one, as on the one hand it might involve the declaration of their independence by the colonies, and on the other, may lead the Empire into a European war. The Economist thinks that instead of establishing an Imperial Council for the colonies, possessing illdefined powers, it would be more desirable to devolop the present system of informal representation of the leading colonies, but with separate envoys for Smaller groups. The Saturday Review approves the principal of Federation, but discourages the extensioa of our claims in the Pacific, more especially at the present time, when America disputes the validity of the Clayton-Bulwer Panama Treaty, Mina Jury, the Tichborne adventuress, has been sentenced to a year's imprisonment for ber recent frauds, The steamship Kent, which was found to be on fire on arrival at Port Said, resumed her voyage for Australia after overhauling and re-stowing damaged cargo. The Merchant Shipping and Underwriters' Association report the arrival yesterday of the ships Waimate, from Timaru (September 11th); Auckland j from Port Chalmers (September 8th); and barque Orient, from Lyttelton (September 7th). Dec. 16. Admiral Sir W, N. W. Hewitt, commanding the East Indian Squadron, has gone to Senakir, on the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea. Dec. 17. Despatches to hand from Tonquin state that 6000 French troops were being landed near Sontay, and that an attack upon that place was expected to be made on the 12th instant. The enemy was estimated at 20,000 strong. O'Donnell, the assassin of James Carey, was hanged this morning. The cargo of frozen mutton ex British Queen from Lyttelton has been examined and found in excellent condition.

In the course of a despatch addressed by Earl Granville to the Egyptian Government, the British Minister for Foreign Affairs states that the English Government cannot interfere in the pacification ot the Soudan, but that, endeavors will be made to obtain an expedition of Turkish troops from the Porte. Sir Charles Lillie, Chief Justice of Queensland, leaves by the Valetta for Australia in February. Captain Kennedy's office is closed, and it is reported that he has sailed from Havre on a trading expedition to New Guinea, under the French flag,The London sharebrokers are el;-il asxious to secnre a pledge from New South Wales to refrain from further borrowing for eighteen months. Dec. 18. It is officially announced that Imperial rule over Basutoland has been restored*

The Royal Dublin regiment <s{ '"Push, liers is under orders to proceed to Egypt. The heads of the leaders of Hicks Pasha’s staff have been discovered affixed over the gates leading into El O'jeid, the scene of the disastrous engagement. Pari?, Dec. 15.^ In view of the necessity for the dispatch of reinforcemen-B to Toequin, M. Ferry stated at the sitting of the Chamber of Deputies to-day that it would be necessary to askfor a further vote of credit to meet the expenses incurred, and that a sum of 20,000,000 francs would be required for that purpose. Dec. 16. In addition to the force of 3000 men which will embark for Tonquin wi thin a week under General Millot, another body of troops of the same strength will be despatched during the month of January. The fortress at Bacninh will, it is jitated, not be attacked until the arrival of these reinforcements. Rome, Dec. 17. Prince Frederick William of Germany arrived here to-day, and received an ovation from the populace, who had assembled in great numbers to greet His Imperial Highness. The German Crown Prince will be the guest at the Quirinal during his stay in this city, Alexandria, Dec. 15. A serious fire has occurred in this city. The temporary buildings which were erected in the Square to replace those burned at the time of the bombardment of the city by the British squadron, have been totally destroyed. A serious religious ferment has commenced in Upper Egypt between Mussulmans and Christians, and it is feared that the ill-feeling may give rise to a serious outbreak. Cairo, Dec. 16. An eye-witness, who escaped from the battle of El Obeid when the Egyptian grmy was annihilated, confirms the statement that Hicks Pasha was destroyed (sic) when the troops were' routed, and denies the truth oi 'the telegram received from the Governor of Dongola to the effect that Hicks Pasha is alive and at Birket. AUSTRALIAN CABLE. Melbourne, Dec. 17. The “Vagabond” (Julian Thomas), who went to New . Guinea to cany on the exploration commenced by Captain Armit, special correspondent of the Argus, has leturned to Cooktown. The Argus this morning announces that the expedition to New Guinea has terminated foi the present. Sydney, Dec, 18. Sailed, this afternoon—Haurotci, s.s., for Wellington. Major Atkinson and Mr Whitaker are among the passengers. Adelaide, Dec. 18. Experts of agricultural produce who have visited the wheat growing dintricts of this colony estimate the average yield for this season at twelve bushels per acre, and the prospects of a large h arvest are daily becoming brighter. _i •• '• Ii : ; 1